Itching, medically known as pruritus, is a skin sensation that creates a desire to scratch. It can range from mild irritation to significant discomfort. While often a minor issue, pruritus can signal an underlying health condition, especially when affecting hands and feet due to their frequent environmental interaction.
Everyday Causes of Itchy Hands and Feet
Common, non-serious factors often cause itchy hands and feet. Dry skin (xerosis) is a frequent culprit, especially in dry climates or with excessive washing. Lack of hydration can make skin cracked, rough, and itchy.
Contact dermatitis occurs when skin reacts to a substance it touches. This includes irritant contact dermatitis from chemicals like soaps or plants, and allergic contact dermatitis, an immune response to allergens such as metals or fragrances. Symptoms often include redness, swelling, and sometimes blisters, typically localized to the contact area.
Eczema, particularly dyshidrotic eczema, frequently affects the hands and feet. It leads to small, fluid-filled blisters that are intensely itchy. This condition can also cause red, cracked, and scaly skin.
Fungal infections, such as athlete’s foot (tinea pedis), are a common reason for itchy feet. These infections thrive in warm, moist environments, often causing itching, peeling, or inflamed skin, usually between the toes. A similar fungal infection, tinea manuum, can affect the hands. Insect bites also lead to localized itching on the hands and feet, characterized by itchy bumps.
Medical Conditions Causing Itching
Beyond common irritations, certain medical conditions can cause itchy hands and feet. Liver disease, particularly conditions like primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), can lead to widespread itching, often starting on the palms and soles. This itching is thought to be due to the buildup of bile salts and other substances in the bloodstream that irritate nerve endings in the skin.
Kidney disease, specifically uremic pruritus associated with chronic kidney disease, can also cause persistent itching. This often affects large areas of the body and frequently worsens at night.
Diabetes can lead to itchy skin through several mechanisms. Nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy) causes sensations like itching, burning, or tingling, especially in the hands and feet. High blood sugar levels can also cause dry skin or increase susceptibility to yeast infections, both contributing to itching.
Thyroid disorders, both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, can result in itchy skin. Hypothyroidism can cause dry, scaly skin due to decreased sweat and oil gland function. Hyperthyroidism can lead to warm skin, excessive sweating, and sometimes a generalized itch or hives.
Neuropathy, or nerve damage, from various causes (including diabetes) can result in chronic itching. Damaged nerves send incorrect signals, leading to sensations like stinging, burning, or electrical shocks, especially in hands and feet.
Certain blood disorders, such as polycythemia vera (PV), cause an overproduction of red blood cells, leading to thicker blood and sometimes severe itching, which can be exacerbated by warm water. This itching is believed to involve the release of histamines from increased mast cells. Additionally, adverse drug reactions can manifest as itchy hands and feet, sometimes without a visible rash.
When to Seek Professional Medical Advice
Seek medical advice if itching does not improve with home remedies after a couple of weeks or if it interferes with daily routines or sleep. Medical consultation is also advisable if the itching spreads rapidly, appears suddenly without an obvious cause, or affects your entire body. Pay attention if the itching is accompanied by other concerning symptoms such as a new rash, fever, unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue, or yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice). These accompanying signs could indicate a systemic issue requiring medical diagnosis and treatment.
Simple Ways to Find Relief
For common causes of itchy hands and feet, several home remedies can provide relief. Regularly moisturizing combats dryness; apply moisturizer immediately after bathing to lock in moisture.
Avoiding hot showers and opting for cool or lukewarm baths can prevent further skin irritation and help soothe the itch. Oatmeal baths, using colloidal oatmeal, can create a protective barrier on the skin and reduce irritation due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Applying cool compresses or ice packs to the itchy areas can decrease inflammation and distract nerve endings, offering temporary relief.
Wearing breathable fabrics like cotton and avoiding tight clothing can help prevent moisture buildup and irritation. Identify and avoid known irritants, such as harsh soaps, detergents, or allergens. Over-the-counter anti-itch creams containing hydrocortisone can reduce inflammation, while calamine lotion can provide a cooling sensation. Oral antihistamines can help alleviate itching, especially if it stems from an allergic reaction. These methods offer relief but do not address the root cause, underscoring the importance of professional diagnosis for persistent or severe symptoms.