Itchy feet can be due to dryness, eczema, infections or, less commonly, pre-existing conditions. In addition to being annoying, scratching can cause the skin to bleed and infect. Fortunately, the main causes of itching can be treated at home by first identifying the reason and then using natural remedies or specific medicines.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Coping with Itching at Home
Step 1. Moisturize dry skin
Dry skin can cause intense itching, especially after a certain age, when the skin thins. For dry, cracked skin, apply a moisturizing cream, lotion, or ointment every day. Massage it into your heels, sole, sides, back and between the toes. Look for a petrolatum-based product, which is effective for softening and moisturizing dry or cracked skin.
Step 2. Take a foot bath with cold water or place a damp cloth on the points affected by the discomfort
Cold water can soothe irritated and itchy skin. It is possible to do the foot bath one or more times a day. If you repeat this often, be sure to moisturize your feet after the treatment is complete.
If you suffer from mycosis and decide to use a cloth, reserve it exclusively for this purpose
Step 3. Try an oat-based foot bath, a traditional remedy for itching
Pour two cups of rolled oats and a cup of baking soda into a bowl, then dip your feet to fight the discomfort naturally. It is a safe and gentle treatment that you can do every day.
Step 4. Try a salt water foot bath, which can relieve pain while also helping to combat itching and irritation
Calculate two teaspoons of salt for every 500ml of water used. Make it dissolve. Use a shallow tub or fill the bathtub lightly, enough to cover your feet well. Let them soak for 5-10 minutes.
- See if it gives you good results. While it is effective, salt may also worsen itching by further drying the skin.
- You can do the treatment once an hour until you start to feel better. Salt can dry out your skin, so rinse your feet with cold water and moisturize them after the foot bath.
Step 5. Identify and avoid irritants
Itching can be triggered by a moderate allergic reaction. Consider what you wear and what products you use. Try making a small change at a time to find the cause: change your laundry detergent, try another soap, and use only 100% cotton socks. If you can identify the reason for the itch, you can avoid it in the future.
Over-the-counter antihistamines can relieve itching triggered by allergic reactions
Method 2 of 3: Treat Athlete's Foot
Step 1. Recognize athlete's foot or ringworm, a major cause of itching
It usually causes red, scaly rashes to appear on and between the fingers. It is possible to feel more itchy after removing socks and shoes. The disorder can affect only one foot or both.
- Athlete's foot is due to sweating caused by physical activity or heat. To keep your feet dry, take off your shoes and put on a clean pair of socks.
- Blisters or ulcers may also appear on the areas where the skin is rubbed.
- There is a variant of athlete's foot that initially affects only the sole of the foot, and then spreads to the lateral area through symptoms such as dryness and flaking.
Step 2. Apply an over-the-counter antifungal
Moderate ringworm can often be treated with over-the-counter antifungal talc, sprays, or ointments. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a recommendation. Some of the most used active ingredients only tolnaftate, miconazole, terbinafine and clotrimazole.
- Wash your feet and dry them well, especially between the toes. Then, apply the medication to the back, sole, sides, and between the fingers.
- Use it daily twice a day until completely healed. Moderate ringworm should go away in about a week.
- If the situation does not improve within four to six weeks, an oral antifungal may need to be taken.
Step 3. If you have stubborn ringworm, take a prescription medicine
If over-the-counter medications don't fix the problem in four to six weeks, you need to take a prescription medicine. Contact your doctor to find out more. There are antifungal drugs for topical or oral administration.
Oral antifungals can damage the liver. If you have liver problems, talk to your doctor
Step 4. Keep your feet dry to prevent athlete's foot
Being caused by a fungus, this disorder can occur more easily in humid environments. Keep your feet dry. If your socks and shoes get wet, change them as soon as possible. Dry your feet thoroughly before putting on your socks.
- Athlete's foot is also extremely contagious, so protect yourself if you have to swim or share the locker room with other people. Use flip-flops even when showering, and don't share towels or sheets with someone who has contracted the infection.
- Wash your feet regularly with soap and do not neglect the areas between the toes. You can also use the hair dryer to make sure they dry well.
Method 3 of 3: Medical Treatments
Step 1. If moisturizing your feet isn't enough to combat itching, see a dermatologist:
may prescribe a corticosteroid cream, which is very effective in treating the disorder. Topically or locally applied steroids can also relieve redness and many types of rashes, including blistering due to a condition called dyshidrosis (an allergic reaction that causes intense itching).
Step 2. See a dermatologist for a complete diagnosis
Itching often has benign origins. However, it can sometimes be symptomatic of a more serious problem. If you try to use home remedies and can't fix the problem within two weeks, make an appointment with a dermatologist. Although in rare cases, the itching may be due to another pathology.
Step 3. Treat scabies, caused by microscopic mites that burrow under the skin
This triggers particularly acute intense itching at night. If other people you live with have symptoms similar to yours or you notice small blisters or burrow-like marks on their skin, it is possible that they are scabies. Contact a dermatologist, who will prescribe medications based on active ingredients such as permethrin 5%, lindane, crotamiton or ivermectin.
- Look for rashes on other parts of your body besides your feet. Scabies usually also occurs on the armpits or groin.
- Wash all your clothes, sheets, and linens in the house with hot soapy water, then put them to dry on a high temperature to avoid the risk of new infections.
Advice
Don't scratch yourself, or you risk worsening the itching, causing bleeding or infection. Additionally, some ailments (such as athlete's foot) may extend to the hands
Warnings
- If you have diabetes, see your doctor whenever you have foot problems, no matter how small it may seem, such as in the case of ringworm.
- If after trying some home remedies the problem doesn't go away, see your doctor.
