Do you have itchy feet?
Although it may be a sign that we’re all itching to travel, there could be multiple reasons your feet are itchy. The most common presentations I see in the clinic are:
Dry skin: If your feet are lacking moisture balance then they are more likely to itch. Particularly if there are dry plaques or fissuring/ cracking.
Blisters: It may not necessarily be the blister itself, rather during the healing stage of blisters when the skin begins to dry out.
Tinea/ athletes foot: Fungal skin infections of the foot are extremely common. Their likelihood increases if your feet are regularly exposed to excess moisture from wearing enclosed shoes too often, keeping socks on for extended periods of time, public shower facilities and hyperhidrosis.
Psoriasis/ or dermatitis (contact or atopic): Both of these conditions often lead to dry and dehydrated skin. This consequently may cause itchy feet.
The common trend amongst these causes is *drum roll please*, dry skin. At Podiatry Beyond we recommend being mindful of excess moisture and giving your feet plenty of air. Good practice involves not wearing socks to bed. Be sure to moisturise the skin at the soles of your feet and any callused areas regularly and be conscious of the ingredients within the moisturiser to avoid irritations.
If you have any concerns or difficulty resolving itchy feet please book in to see your general practitioner or Podiatry Beyond Podiatrist soon.
