Itching of the Feet: 9 Common Causes

Itching of the feet is often caused by dry, irritated skin. It can also be due to skin conditions like a fungal infection or eczema, or even something seemingly unrelated like neuropathy or liver disease.

Scratching may give temporary relief. Unfortunately, it can also lead to a bacterial infection, which causes more itching.

This article looks at nine of the most common causes of itchy feet and how you can get relief.

Dry Skin

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Dry skin (xerosis cutis) can be caused by environmental conditions or lifestyle factors. Some examples include:

• Low humidity
• Cold temperatures
• Weight-bearing stress
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Harsh skin cleansers

You may also notice that your feet become drier as you age.

Your feet don't have any sebaceous glands, which produce oil to keep skin moisturized. The skin is thicker than on other parts of your body as well. When you add prolonged pressure and friction from standing or walking, the skin can get especially thick and hard.

What to do about it: Regular use of creams or lotions may prevent skin cracking and relieve itchiness.

Fungal Infections

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Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a common, highly contagious fungal infection. It causes an itchy, discolored, scaly rash. It can be all over your feet or just between your toes.

An acute type of athlete's foot causes a discolored, inflamed rash with blisters. Scratching can burst the blisters and cause more irritation.

What to do about it: Athlete's foot is treated with anti-fungal medications and sometimes topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and itching.

Eczema

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is an umbrella term for a group of conditions that involve skin inflammation. They all cause discolored scaly patches that itch a lot.

The cause is unknown. Researchers think genetics and environmental factors both contribute.

Eczema on the feet, toes, and fingers is called dyshidrotic eczema. It's intensely itchy. It also causes discolored scaly areas of cracked skin with tiny blisters.

Everyone has different triggers for eczema outbreaks. Typical triggers include:

• Irritation from staying damp
• Overly dry skin from excess heat and low humidity 

What to do about it: Eczema is treated with topical skin creams and ointments. They rehydrate skin, balance the skin's pH (acidity), and protect skin from dryness and sweat.

Topical corticosteroids can help with inflammation.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes scaly, dry skin that can be very itchy. It can appear anywhere on the body, including the feet. 

When you have psoriasis, your immune system mistakenly attacks your skin cells. The scales and rash occur as your body overproduces skin cells as a result of this immune response.

What to do about it: Psoriasis can't be cured, but treatment with creams and lotions may reduce symptoms. Active ingredients in these products may include retinoids, salicylic acid, and/or corticosteroids. Some are available over-the-counter (OTC), but talk to your healthcare provider about prescription medications if OTC options aren't helpful.

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a discolored, itchy, often blistering rash. It's caused by your skin coming in contact with an irritant or allergen (a substance that triggers allergies).

Those irritants and allergens can include: 

• Glues or chemicals found in shoes
• Antibiotic ointments containing neomycin
• Poison ivy
• Adhesives
• Perfumes
• Chemicals in skin and nail products

Your healthcare provider can order a patch test to see what's bothering your skin. Avoiding those substances is key to feeling better.

What to do about it: Contact dermatitis is treated with oral or topical corticosteroids and soothing topical products like calamine lotion.

Scabies

Scabies is caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin. You can get scabies on any part of your body, including the soles of your feet. 

Scabies causes an extremely itchy rash that can look like small red blotches or bumps and thin, wavy lines.

What to do about it: Scabies is treated with topical creams that contain mite-killing insecticides. The first line of treatment is usually a 5% permethrin cream. If permethrin isn't effective, your healthcare provider may prescribe a .5% malathion lotion or oral ivermectin.

Liver Disease

Chronic liver disease can cause localized itching on the soles of the feet. It can also cause itching elsewhere, such as the palms or even all over the body.

What to do about it: Avoid scratching, since this can cause irritation. Excess scratching may even break the skin and lead to infection.

You may be able to reduce itching by using gentle, non-drying cleaners, avoiding hot environments, and taking cool showers. Using a humidifier in your home might also help.

Over-the-counter topical creams that contain corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors can help ease itching. If your itching is severe and doesn't improve after trying OTC medication, ask your healthcare provider about oral medication such as Prevalite (cholestyramine) or Rifadin (rifampicin).

Neuropathy

If you have neuropathy, you may experience an itching sensation that isn't releived with scratching. This type of itching is caused by damage to the central or peripheral nervous system and is not related to the skin itself.

What to do about it: Because a neuropathic itch isn't a skin problem, topical creams and other anti-itch medications won't help. Talk to your healthcare provider about medication that may help improve your symptoms, such as Neurontin (gabapentin) or certain antidepressants. Some people also find botox injections to be helpful.

Kidney Disease

Kidney disease causes a build-up of waste products in the blood. This can lead to itchy skin rashes. This type of itching is known as uremic pruritus and commonly affects the soles of the feet. It can also occur on your palms.

What to do about it: The most effective way to treat itching related to kidney disease is to make sure the kidney disease itself is treated. It's also important to avoid scratching and stay away from potential triggers such as heat and harsh soaps and cleansers. Topical creams may also help. If not, ask your healthcare provider about medication such as Gralise (gabapentin).

Summary

Itchy feet can come from several causes. Sometimes your skin is just dry. Other times, you may have a condition like athlete's foot, eczema, or contact dermatitis.

Moisturizers, antifungals, or corticosteroids can help clear up many problems and stop your feet from itching.