Itchy hands and feet might be a symptom of a skin disorder or another medical condition that requires treatment. The best method to avoid itching hands and feet is to take excellent care of the skin and to treat hidden conditions with medical guidance, if necessary.
Why do I have itchy hands and feet?
Having itchy hands and feet can be rather annoying specifically if it distracts our concentration while performing our everyday activities. Consistent itching can be bothersome, and continuous scratching can harm the skin. Furthermore, it may also cause disturbances in sleep, as most common suffer losing sleep when they deal with itchy skin.
Causes of itchy hands and feet and treatment methods
There are several possible causes of itchy hands and feet:
Skin Disorders
The majority of skin conditions cause chronic or frequent itching of the skin. These include:
Dry skin (xerosis cutis) – Numerous factors can cause dryness of skin, such as changes in weather, direct exposure to sunshine, exposure to air-conditioning, and aging. These might result in loss of natural oils which in turn results in loss of moisture or water through the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin). This causes the skin to become dry. Dryness, flakiness, and inflammation generate extreme itching of the skin.
The best method to treat dry skin is to moisturize it using emollients, which can assist keep the softness of the skin. It is best to use those skin care items that are specifically developed for delicate skin if you have delicate kind of skin.
Psoriasis – This noncontagious, lifelong condition affects about two to three percent of the US population. It is characterized by having thick, red, and flaky patches on the skin. Psoriasis runs in families, and it may be activated by emotional stress, skin injury, infection, and specific medications. The cause is unidentified, but it might be related to dysfunction in the immune system.
Treatment might consist of topical skin care items containing steroids, vitamin A or vitamin D, oral medications and other topical immunosuppressants. One can likewise use moderate soap for bathing daily, oil-based moisturizers, and skin care items consisting of salicylic acid to alleviate skin dryness and itching. Direct exposure to little doses (10-15 minutes) of natural sunlight may also be useful, done 2 to 3 times in a week.
Allergic contact dermatitis – This is a postponed hypersensitivity response, which occurs about 48-72 hours after direct exposure to an irritant such as chromates, nickel, rubber chemicals, ointments, creams, scents, lanolin formaldehyde, and many other ecological chemicals. Symptoms consist of pink to red areas of scaly, elevated skin (plaques and papules) and blisters or blisters, eyelid swelling, and severe itching. When relentless, the elevated areas end up being thick and bacterial infection may happen possible.
Treatment includes prevention of contact with known allergens, use of oral antihistamines, topical steroids and oral steroids (prednisone) for severe cases.
Irritant contact dermatitis – This inflammatory rash is triggered by direct injury to the skin by a chemical, leading to a skin response within a few hours of exposure. Patients typically grumble initially of a burning or stinging pain, which becomes chronic as the skin becomes persistently irritated. Itching could end up being the primary symptom.
Using oil jelly or applying thick moisturizing cream straight to the skin after bathing is suggested. These might be applied frequently (or twice day-to-day) to hydrate the skin and secure it from damage. Topical steroids are prescribed if the swelling is severe. Avoid direct exposure to the offending chemical to protect the skin damage and dryness.
Dyshidrotic eczema or dyshidrotic dermatitis – The condition is an itchy rash typically discovered on the palms, fingers and the feet. This manifests as little and itchy, fluid-filled blisters. The cause is unknown, and the condition often comes and goes, with episodes happening mainly in warm weather condition. The blisters seem “deep-seated” because of the skin density in the palms, and in severe cases blisters merge and appear like huge blisters. Soreness is typically missing or mild.
Medical professionals advise utilizing soaks with drying representatives, topical steroids, and oral steroids for severe cases to control symptoms. Chronic and severe cases might be treated with ultraviolet light therapy or phototherapy done by a skin doctor. For self-care, one need to avoid irritants, use with mild soaps or cleansers and regularly use thick emollient creams or oil jelly to the hands and feet.
Pitted keratolysis – This skin condition affects the soles of the feet and, often, the palms of the hands. Caused by bacterial infection, it might give you an undesirable smell. The most typical influenced areas include the pressure-bearing areas on the, especially the heels and other areas of the soles and palms. Lesions appear as white spots with shallow pits on the shallow layers of skin. These pits may be occasionally itchy and even painful.
Treatment includes decreasing moisture in the feet by using absorbent socks made of cotton and altering them often. Wool socks can also wick wetness far from your foot. You should likewise wash the feet daily with anti-bacterial soap or cleanser. You can likewise try drying the feet with a hairdryer after washing them, applying antiperspirant to the soles daily, using sandals rather of tight-fitting, occlusive shoes, and preventing using the very same shoes two days in a row.
Athlete’s foot (Tinea Pedis or ringworm) – This is the most common shallow fungal infection in the skin of the foot, which might be passed to other humans by direct contact or through infected towels, locker space floors, other things or the soil. Another type of athlete’s foot infection is called bullous tinea pedis, which looks like painful, itchy blisters on the ball and/or arch of the foot. The worst form of fungal foot infection is called ulcerative tinea pedis, which appears as painful blisters, with pus and shallow ulcers or open sores. This condition often takes place in individuals with diabetes or in those with weak immune systems.
The diagnosis of athlete’s foot is validated by lab assessment. Treatment consists of topical antifungal creams or creams and antifungal drugs. The infection usually goes away in 4-6 weeks with effective treatment. For home care, clean your feet every day, drying them with a towel or a hair dryer if possible. To prevent spread or contamination, use a different towel for your feet, and make sure not to share this towel with other persons. Wear wool or cotton socks, altering them at least as soon as a day if they are moist. Prevent wearing rubber or vinyl shoes, and if possible, wear sandals typically. Apply antifungal foot powder every day. Prevent walking barefoot in locker spaces or public pools or showers.
Sweaty sock syndrome – This condition also called Juvenile plantar dermatosis is defined by glossy, flaky, and red patches on the skin on the soles of children and teens. The cause is unknown, although the rotating damp and dry condition of the feet might contribute. This is a chronic condition that might last for about 3 years and goes away as the child reaches adolescence. The skin appears tight and smooth, however dry and flaky in spite of heavy sweating. Painful fractures or cracks might sometimes be present.
Medications
People who are taking certain medications to treat some medical conditions also experience itchy hands and feet. This irritation is typically a side effect of drugs. A person might also dislike the medication, and skin rashes or hives might appear.
Identification of the offending medication needs to be done and consultation with a doctor for guidance on these side effects should be considered.
Medical Conditions
Consistent itching in the hands and feet might signify Crohn’s disease, chronic kidney disease or liver failure. Scarring and inflammation of the liver related to fatty liver disease can make the body itch, starting with the palms and soles. Itchy palms might likewise be connected with thyroid conditions (hypo- or hyperthyroidism). Other illness like cancer of the blood and the lymphatic tissues may manifest these symptoms, along with nutritional deficiencies marked by an absence of vitamins B1, B6 and B12.
Appropriate diagnosis and treatment of the underlying condition are essential before symptoms might be eased.
Stress
New research indicates that chronic stress and anxiety can lead to itching of the hands and feet and other body parts. High stress levels can likewise lead to intensifying of existing itchy skin problems.
