There are many things that can lead to itchy feet at night. Some of them are related to hygiene or the change in the seasons, while others are more related to a specific medical condition or problem. The treatment for the itchy feet at night depends tremendously on the cause and there will certainly have to be some changes you will make at home. When you lie down to bed at night, it can be quite frustrating to not be able to sleep because your feet itch. Visiting a doctor might be a good idea, especially since there could be an underlying condition that troubles you. Plus, you might get a good idea on the home remedies that are available for such conditions from the Internet.
The worst thing is that the itch can start at any moment of the night. It can wake you up after you have slept for some time, leaving you tired and unfit for work the next day. Plus, there are a lot of people who do not wake up but they keep on scratching their itchy feet until they get blisters or even lesions. Continuous scratching can leave the skin open for infection and the treatment will be more complicated. This is why you need to identify the cause that leads to itchy feet at night as soon as possible, before you have to take treatment for a secondary infection as well.
Causes of Itchy feet at Night
These are the most common causes that can lead to the appearance of itchy feet at night:
Infection
Fungal infections, such as athlete’s foot are quite often encountered. Hookworms can also lead to itchy feet at night.
Skin conditions
- Contact dermatitis
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Foot rash
Allergies
It is important to understand that itchy feet at night can appear as an allergic reaction not only to medication or certain types of food but most often to different creams or skin care products (shower gels, moisturizers for example) and even to the fabrics of your pajamas or even the ones of the sheets you are sleeping in (it is a well known fact that synthetic materials present an increased risk for allergies so you might want to go with cotton). Even the laundry detergent you use can cause itchy feet at night. A unique allergenic reaction can be to poison ivy, the itchiness at night being quite extreme.
Excessive sweating
People who sweat a lot because they have a problem with their glands are also prone to suffering from itchy feet at night.
Insect bites
Fleas, ticks, bed bugs, spiders, all of these small creatures can bite and make the skin feel itchy. Luckily, unlike other medical conditions, you will be to see the bite marks and now exactly what causes the itchiness.
Hormonal changes
This is especially valid in pregnant women, as increased quantities of estrogen present in the body can lead to the appearance of itchy feet at night.
Poor hygiene
The foot area is always moist and warm, plus we stay with our socks and shoes on for prolonged periods of time. Poor hygiene is just an added factor and it will surely lead to your feet itching at night.
Treatment for Itchy feet at Night
These are the most common treatments for underlying conditions that cause itchy feet at night.
- Anti-fungal medication for fungal infections, such as athlete’s foot
- Topical corticosteroids for skin conditions
- Photo-therapy for psoriasis
- Anti-histamines for different types of allergies, accompanied by the elimination of the allergenic factor
- Specific medication for conditions in which excessive sweating is encountered
- Topical creams and anti-inflammatory medication in case of insect bites
- Anti-bacterial soaps can help improve feet hygiene
There are certain things you can do in order to guarantee the treatment works and the condition does not return. These are:
- Keeping the feet area clean, by maintaining excellent hygiene
- Making sure that your feet are always dry. A warm and moist area is prone to develop infection and itchiness will appear.
- Wear clean socks and change them on a regular basis
- Use special sprays in order to keep in the inside of the shoes clean
- Wear socks that made from cotton, thus allowing the skin to breathe. If possible, choose shoes that are made from breathable materials as well, especially during hot summer days. Then, sandals are the most recommended, as they allow the skin to breathe and be dry
- Keep your nails trimmed to prevent secondary infections or even original ones
- Do not go barefoot in public places, including in showers or pool sides, as you might easily catch fungi for example and suffer from itchy feet at night
