Know the Causes of Itching in the Feet

Itching can occur anywhere, no exception in the soles of your feet. The feet are very prone to itching because some people often let their feet sweat, and use various types of footwear. In addition, several things that can cause itching in the soles of the feet such as fungal infections in the feet or tinea pedis (athlete's foot), humidity, the environment that causes dry skin, bacteria, viruses, insect bites, scabies or mite infections, and others. In the medical world, itchiness that irritates and makes someone want to scratch it is known as pruritus. Itching in the soles of the feet can not be considered trivial, because it can interfere with your daily activities. Itching is often a symptom of certain diseases, but if left untreated or if itching is often scratched it can cause secondary infections due to scratching wounds.

This Causes Itching on the Feet

Itching on the soles of the feet can be caused by several things, including:

• Fungal infections of the feet or tinea pedis (athlete’s foot)

Fungal infections of the feet or tinea pedis will make the infected skin itchy, red, scaly, dry, cracked, or blistered. This disease is caused by fungi that grow and multiply on the skin. The infection fungus develops in a warm, dark and damp place, such as the feet. Some things that can make you infected with this fungus are not keeping your feet clean and dry, using shoes that make your feet hot / hot and sweaty, walking without using footwear where fungal infections can spread (for example in a gym or swimming pool), exchange toiletries or clothing with people infected with mold (such as socks, towels or shoes), have a weak immune system, and suffer from health conditions such as diabetes. This fungal infection can easily spread to other people by touching infected skin or coming into contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Although it is not a serious problem, itching caused by tinea pedis must still be treated to stop its spread to other parts of the body or to other people. Usually, treatment includes the use of creams, sprays, or antifungal fluids to eradicate mold and help keep your feet clean.

• Dry foot skin

Dry skin often causes itching. This condition is also quite common in the legs. Dry and cracked soles will cause discomfort in the form of itching or pain if dry skin has caused crusts and open sores. There are several causes of dry leg skin, namely cold air, dehydration, hot shower habits, the use of soap made from irritants, often polishing dry feet, and in diabetes. Treatment of dry foot skin is to avoid precipitating factors and use skin moisturizer.

• Insect bite

Itching on the soles of the feet can also be caused by insect bites. Insects such as bees, ants, fleas, mosquitoes, wasps, and possibly spiders, can sting or bite when they feel disturbed or threatened. Mosquito or ant bites also often make itching on the soles of your feet. If you experience itching on the soles of the feet due to insect bites, you can use anti-itch cream to treat it. Although relatively rare, insect bites can cause allergic reactions or dangerous anaphylaxis. If there are symptoms of itching all over the body, coughing or shortness of breath shortly after being bitten by an insect then you need to immediately see a doctor or emergency department for immediate treatment.

• Mite infection or scabies

Mite infections or scabies better known as scabies. Itching caused by scabies is generally not felt in the legs, but this infection can cause itching in the soles of the feet in people with scabies with weak body immunity. Typical symptoms of scabies include severe rashes and itching and get worse at night. Scratching the itchy area continuously can cause an infection. Scabies can occur in the wrists, elbows, armpits, waist, buttocks, and between the fingers. Scabies can be experienced by adults, children and toddlers. Scabies treatment usually includes ointments, creams, lotions, and there are also oral medications to relieve itching and inflammation of the skin. Anti scabies ointment is applied to the entire body at night except the face, and left overnight. Follow how to use according to doctor's advice. Scabies is a skin disease that can be contagious. Lice that cause disease are very important to be eradicated. Ways that can be done are: washing bedding or sheets and blankets that have been in contact with the patient using hot water, and drying in the lice die. Avoid sharing toiletries or clothes.

• Certain medical conditions

Itching in the soles of the feet or other foot areas can also be caused by certain medical conditions, such as liver disease, cancer, peripheral neuropathy, psoriasis, kidney disease, and others. To treat itchy soles caused by these conditions, in addition to treatment and maintain moisture in the skin of the feet, of course, accompanying diseases also need to be treated.

• Foot dermatitis

Another cause of itching on the soles of the feet is contact dermatitis due to shoes. This often happens because the skin on the feet react to certain substances (allergens) in the footwear. Many different products and chemicals are used in making footwear. Allergies may be caused by certain substances found in footwear, such as leather or rubber, chemicals in the glue used, or decoration used on shoes. Symptoms include swelling, redness, blisters or cracks in the skin, sensation of pain, itching, and pain. This allergy can develop over a long period of time, because the skin on the feet is repeatedly exposed to certain allergens found in shoes. Some materials that are known to cause allergies in footwear are rubber, leather, metal, or the chemical content of dyes. To treat this condition you need to avoid contact with irritants and use anti-inflammatory drugs as directed by your doctor.

After knowing the cause of itching on the soles of the feet, you are still advised to always maintain foot hygiene. Here are some tips for maintaining the health of your feet, such as keeping your feet dry and clean, paying attention to the state of the foot if there is a problem or not (for example itching or others), cutting nails regularly, keep your feet in public places (like in the gym or swimming pool), avoid sharing shoes or socks with others because the fungus can move, choose socks and footwear that allow the skin to "breathe" (not hot / humid) or which can keep the feet from being too closed and stuffy , use shoes or footwear with the right size. If you have applied some of these tips but itching on the soles of the feet or surrounding foot area does not go away, or if itching often recurs, there is chronic disease, a history of exposure to irritants, appearing crusts or large sores due to itching and often scratched, itching followed by sensations numb or numb, consult a doctor immediately to get the right treatment.