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Itchy Feet: 4 possible reasons and preventions

Itchy feet can be caused by many issues such as dry skin, harsh soaps, medical conditions and much more carry-on reading or causes, cures and remedies to help prevent and put a stop to your itchy feet!

1. Athletes’ foot

Athletes’ foot is a contagious fungal infection that causes itchy skin problems on your feet. An itchy, stinging, burning rash forms on the infected skin. Below are things that you should avoid as this can bring on athletes’ foot.

      • Things like damp socks
      • Damp shoes
      • Warm, and humid conditions

The following symptoms could indicate if you begin to suffer from Athletes Foot. The foot itself and between the toes become really itchy. Skin is dry, cracked, flaky or redness appears.

Suggested Remedies for Athletes’ Foot

      • Wear clean cotton socks
      • To help towards keeping your feet dry, change your socks and shoes often.
      • Make sure your feet are completely dry after washing your feet especially in between your toes.
      • Tea Tree Oil according to ‘Medical News Today’ they said “One study found that solutions containing 25 per cent and 50 per cent tea tree oil worked significantly better than a placebo in relieving athlete’s foot between the toes”

2. Psoriasis

Another reason why you may be suffering from itchy feet is Psoriasis, plaque psoriasis can occur on almost any part of our body, including our feet.

What ‘Plaque Psoriasis’ looks like and how to treat it

This type of psoriasis causes red, dry patches of skin known as plaques. These plaques are usually covered in silvery scales and can be itchy and sore. In more severe psoriasis, plaques may also crack open and bleed.

To help ease this form of psoriasis, take care to avoid injury to your hands and feet as even minor trauma can worsen your psoriasis. Another way to look after your psoriasis or even get rid of the condition altogether you can try at home remedies such as,

      • washing the area gently in warm, not hot, water with a moisturizing soap or even soaking in a warm bath for around 15 minutes, as this helps loosen up the scales and helps reduce the itching and inflammation caused by Psoriasis.
      • An extra tip whilst bathing in your warm (not hot) bath try adding sea salt, oatmeal, bath oil, or a bath gel containing coal tar to the water can further soothe and moisturize your skin, so this will not take away psoriasis but it will help alongside.

3. Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis can be caused by something simple such as a change in laundry detergent. So firstly, the most obvious way to prevent/stop your flare-up with contact dermatitis would be to stop using the product that is the cause of this and try sticking to what you know or using sensitive skin products when trying anything new.

Symptoms of Contact Dermatitis

      • Redness
      • Itchiness’
      • A patchy or scaly rash
      • Dry and Cracked skin
      • Bumps/Blisters or both
      • Swelling, Burning and/or tenderness.

Treatment for Contact Dermatitis

    • soaking in a comfortably cool bath, according to the ‘Mayo Clinic’ you can also sprinkle the water with baking soda or an oatmeal-based product.
    • Omega free fatty acids are known to help reduce inflammation in the body. According to ‘Health Line’ and I quote “This can be beneficial for psoriasis inflammation is what causes the itchy red flakes”.

Omega 3’s can be found in a variety of different foods such as,

      • Flaxseed oil
      • Nuts
      • Fatty Fish
      • Seeds
      • Soy

As well as this, you can maybe book a visit to see your local GP just for an extra bit of advice and they may prescribe you some steroid creams, ointments or oral medications.

4. Dry Skin

Lastly, another reason why you may be suffering from itchy feet could be ‘Dry Skin’ this can occur if your feet are lacking in their natural oils and itchiness can be a warning sign that your skin is in a poor condition.

Unfortunately, scratching is likely to damage the area further which can be very annoying as dry skin can be really itchy but make sure you do not scratch your dry skin as this can also make it easier for any harmful bacteria to infect your body.

How to know if you have dry skin on your feet?

Your feet will be,

      • Often appears on the sides of the feet or the heels.
      • Can appear in between the toes also.
      • May make the infected area itchy, tight, and even painful.

Although having itchy feet may be very irritating, it is rarely ever harmful but if it does cause you a lot of discomfort it may be of some use informing your GP and seek medical help and remedies such as lotions, ointment, and creams!

At-home remedies for dry feet,

      • A foot file or rasp
      • A pumice stone or foot scrub
      • Foot cream or heel balm
      • Moisturizing gel socks or heel socks
      • Liquid bandage

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