The Real Reason Why Your Feet Are So Itchy, According to Experts

Jelani Addams Rosa
·5 min read
The Real Reason Why Your Feet Are So Itchy, According to Experts

It can seem like we spend countless hours and endless amounts of money to keep the skin on our face looking and feeling its best—while the skin on other areas of our body often gets ignored. Though our feet don’t get as much attention, they are often exposed to strenuous physical activity and extreme temperatures that can take their toll. These stressors can lead to symptoms such as itchy feet, making it uncomfortable to go about your normal day-to-day activities. But, itchy feet can also be a sign of something more serious like underlying health issues.

Ahead, we tapped dermatologist Marisa Garshick, M.D., F.A.A.D., and podiatrist Waldemar Majdanski, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S., to get to the bottom of what causes itchy feet, how to treat illnesses associated with itchy feet, and how to prevent the itch from happening in the first place.

What causes itchy feet?

Itchy feet can be caused by several things, including skin conditions, contact with irritants, and diseases like types of diabetes. One of the most common causes of itchy feet is a fungal infection called tinea pedis, also known as athlete’s foot.

Below, find some causes for itchy feet according to our experts and research:

“Different conditions can contribute to itchy feet including eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, tinea pedis, or other infestations such as scabies. There are different types of eczema that can affect the feet which may include contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, or atopic eczema,” Dr. Garshick explains.

While athlete’s foot is caused by contact with the fungus or prolonged exposure to damp, humid environments, conditions like eczema and psoriasis are often triggered by your immune system or genes, according to the Mayo Clinic. Before you start to worry, the cause of your itchy feet may also be as simple as dry skin. When deciphering the cause of your discomfort, consider your health, environment, and daily habits.

What are common symptoms associated with itchy feet?

When you’re dealing with itchy feet, the uncomfortable feeling may not be the only symptom you’re saddled with. In addition to itchy skin, you may also experience changes to the look and feel of the skin on your feet.

“Some people may experience itchy feet in association with red or flaky patches of the skin,” Dr. Garshick says. “The skin may also appear dry or scaly and some people may experience bumps or what may look like small blisters. Repeated scratching may contribute to thickening of the skin.”

When should you see a doctor about your itchy feet?

While itchy feet can often be treated at home, some cases require the expert guidance of a doctor—they can help determine the underlying cause and prescribe a treatment to help you feel better.

“It is important to get checked out by a doctor if the itch is waking you up from sleep or interfering with your quality of life. Or if the itch is worsening or not responding to any at-home or over-the-counter treatments,” Dr. Garshick says.

If your itchy feet are coupled with other symptoms such as skin discoloration and swelling, you should consider making an appointment with your doctor. These symptoms can sometimes be indicators of a much more dire health issue. It is also especially important that anyone who is pregnant and experiencing itching on the soles of their feet is evaluated by an OBGYN for cholestasis, which is a liver condition that can occur later in pregnancy, according to the Mayo Clinic. If left untreated cholestasis can cause complications for the pregnant person and the baby.

How do you treat itchy feet?

How you treat your itchy feet will largely depend on what is causing the itching in the first place. If the itching is mild, there are several over-the-counter anti-itch lotions and creams you can buy to keep the symptoms at bay.

Dr. Garshick recommends checking out Sarna Original Anti-Itch Moisturizing Lotion, Cerave Itch-Relief Moisturizing Lotion, or Eucerin Itch Relief Intensive Calming Lotion. If you’re dealing with athlete’s foot, there are also several over-the-counter anti-fungal topical medications you can try. However, if your symptoms don’t subside both Dr. Garshick and Majdanski suggest making a doctor’s appointment to get to the bottom of it—and/or get a prescription strength anti-fungal treatment.

While there are plenty of over-the-counter treatments at your disposal, if you’re dealing with chronic foot itching now is not the time to experiment.

“These treatments only improve the symptoms,” Majdanski explains. “It would be wise to see a foot professional such as a podiatrist or a dermatologist to evaluate the condition further and outline the proper treatment plan.”

How do you prevent itchy feet?

Once you’ve ruled out underlying health issues, the key to preventing itchy feet is pretty simple: take good care of your feet.

“General foot hygiene will decrease the incidence or prevent the development of the contributing conditions that cause itching in the feet,” Majdanski says

If you take great care of your feet but still feel dry and itchy, give the slugging technique a try. The same slugging routine responsible for the supple skin on your face works wonders on your feet. Apply your favorite foot cream to your feet, followed by a thick layer of petroleum-based ointment, and cover them with socks before you go to bed to help lock in moisture. When you wake up in the morning you’ll have touchable soft, itch-free feet!

On the other hand, if your itchy feet are the result of a fungal infection such as athlete’s foot, you should keep your feet as dry as possible without causing irritation.

“Typical recommendations include avoiding walking barefoot in public places, such as gyms and pools, airing out footwear at the end of the day, spraying the footwear with anti-fungal sprays, wearing comfortable breathable shoes to avoid increased sweating of the feet, and cleaning in between the toes after bathing or taking showers,” Majdanski explains.

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