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Itchy Feet: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Itchy feet can affect anyone at any time of the year and cause other issues when we scratch too much. These include redness, a rash, dry skin, irritation, bleeding and cracked skin. Depending on the cause, itchy feet can also come with other confusing symptoms. If you’re wondering “why are my feet itchy?” and what you can do to stop it, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we will go over a handful of conditions that cause itchy feet. Of course, we’ll also discuss the most important thing – treatment!

Dry Skin

Many people don’t realize how much their lifestyle can dry out the skin on their feet. When there’s no clear culprit behind our itchy feet, it can leave us wondering, “why is my toe itchy?” or “why do the tops of my feet itch?” If this sounds like you, it could be a straightforward case of dry skin.

Not drinking enough water, exposing yourself to too much heat or light, or cold air can strip our skin of its natural moisture. You can also experience dry skin if you take too many hot showers and baths without moisturizing your feet.

If you have dry and itchy feet, your skin will flake and crack the more you scratch it. Your skin may also look rough and start to peel or bleed if cracks are deep and irritated.

Many products available at Toronto’s Feet First can help those with severely dry skin. The key is daily moisturizing, and in severe cases, locking in moisture while your feet are still slightly damp after a shower is an excellent treatment method.

There are several products from the trusted brand Gehwol that thoroughly moisturize the feet, including:

  • Med Lipidro Cream
  • Fusskraft Hydrolipid Lotion
  • Medical Salve for Cracked Skin (a specialized product that helps prevent inflammation in cracked skin)

If your dry skin affects your heels, Dermal Therapy can help restore moisture. This product focuses on heel care and contains 25% urea, a critical component of our skin’s moisture restoration system.

Allergies

Annoying allergies can mess with your health in countless ways, and your feet are no exception. Allergic reactions can lead to an itch at the top of the foot, itchy toes and itchy heels. You may have:

  • Shoe contact dermatitis: An allergic reaction to particular materials or substances used to make footwear. This includes rubbers, dyes, leathers, or glues.
  • Allergic contact dermatitis: An allergic reaction caused by chemicals found in moisturizers, detergents, soaps, and similar products.

Avoid new products or shoes you suspect may be the reason behind your allergies. Topical antihistamines, like Benedryl, can also help while you determine the cause. It’s also a great idea to inquire with your family doctor about how to get an allergy test!

Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot (also known as tinea pedis) is a condition that generally causes dry, itchy toes. It can also target other feet areas, like the soles, tops of the feet, or heels. It can affect anyone, not just athletes! It is contagious and spreads via common spaces like public showers and bathrooms, locker rooms, and swimming pools.

In addition to a persistent itch, athlete’s foot can cause other nagging, painful symptoms like a scaly rash, dry skin, blisters and a burning or stinging sensation in the affected area.

You need a topical antifungal from a chiropodist for athlete’s foot. Gehwol’s Foot & Shoe Deodorant & their Foot Powder can also help your feet stay clean, fresh and dry, avoiding the fungus that loves to thrive in damp spaces.

Since athlete’s foot can be a recurring issue, other lifestyle changes can also go a long way. Start wearing protective footwear in public areas. Another simple trick is skipping communal showers and waiting until you get home after visiting the gym or the pool.

Psoriasis / Psoriatic Arthritis 

Psoriasis is a painful skin-related auto-immune disease that affects various body parts, including the feet. Psoriasis causes excessive skin cell build-up, which accumulates and leads to red, bumpy, scaly, itchy patches (also called plaques).

There is also a chronic inflammatory arthritis that causes both joint pain and psoriasis symptoms, called psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis causes swelling in the toes, warm joints, and thickening or detachment of the toenails.

Corticosteroid creams, retinoid creams, gels and ointments are frequently used to treat psoriasis. Since psoriasis (and psoriatic arthritis) are auto-immune diseases, it’s a good idea to consult with a rheumatologist about your treatment options.

Still Not Sure What Causes Your Itchy Feet? 

  • Bug bites: You may just have an annoying, yet harmless, bug bite!
  • Scabies: Likely one of the worst-case scenarios for itchy feet, it’s important to ensure scabies isn’t the cause. Scabies is a skin condition caused by Sarcoptes scabiei, a microscopic mite that actually burrows into your skin! With scabies, the itch in your feet will be intense and feel worse at night. There may also be bumps that form a “path” on the skin.
  • Diabetes: A common symptom of diabetic neuropathy (damaged nerve fibers that result from uncontrolled blood sugar) is extremely dry skin, leading to itchy feet.
  • Thyroid problems: If your itch seems inexplicable, you may have an overactive or underactive thyroid gland. This condition can lead to itchiness on the feet and many other areas of the body.

Say Goodbye to Itchy Feet!

You shouldn’t have to experience the burden of itchy feet any longer! Regardless of the culprit, Toronto’s Feet First Clinic can provide solutions. Our highly-skilled chiropodists and friendly foot staff are waiting to hear from you.

Call us at 416-769-3338 or Book Your Assessment Today!

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Carolina Charles

Patient Relation Coordinator (She/Her)

If you’ve been to the clinic before, chances are you had the pleasure of meeting Carolina! Carolina’s daily goal is going above and beyond to make sure patients are always completely satisfied. Having worked in the podiatry industry for 22 years, Carolina brings a wealth of knowledge pertaining to client service, insurance policies, and procedures.​ She steers the ship to make sure everything runs smoothly on the daily. Carolina is known for spicing up every outfit with her signature costume jewellery.