Itching on the soles of the feet can be very annoying. If you feel this complaint, you should not just apply any ointment that is sold freely, yes. Not only is it an ineffective cure, the wrong treatment can actually exacerbate itching on the soles of the feet.
Itching in certain parts of the body that feels very disturbing is medically called pruritus. There are many things that can cause itchy feet, ranging from insect bites, infections, allergies, to certain health problems.
To deal with complaints of itching on the soles of the feet effectively, it is necessary to first investigate what the causal factors are. After the cause is known, the treatment of itching on the soles of the feet can only be done appropriately according to the underlying cause.
Causes of Itchy Feet and How to Treat It
Itchy soles of the feet can be caused by several conditions or diseases, including:
1. Fungal infection of the feet
In addition to itching, fungal infections of the feet or tinea pedis usually make the skin of the infected feet red, scaly, dry, cracked, or blistered. A person can be susceptible to fungal foot infections if their feet sweat a lot or spend a long time in wet and humid places.
Fungal infections of the feet can be treated by using antifungal ointments or creams. For severe yeast infections, you may need an antifungal tablet or cream as prescribed by your doctor.
In addition to using antifungal drugs, the treatment of skin diseases on the feet can also be done by keeping the feet clean, drying the feet after washing, changing socks when they are wet, and wearing comfortable shoes.
2. Dry foot skin
Dry, cracked feet can cause discomfort, itching, or pain if the dry skin has caused an open sore.
There are several factors that can cause dry feet, namely cold and dry air, dehydration, frequent hot showers for too long, standing too long, using soap that causes irritation, and certain diseases, such as diabetes.
To treat itching on the soles of the feet due to dry skin on the feet, you must first avoid the trigger factors. To treat dry skin on your feet, you can use a skin moisturizer regularly. You can consult a doctor to determine the right moisturizer for your skin.
3. Insect bites
Insect bites on the soles of the feet can make the soles of the feet itchy. In addition to itching, insect bites usually also make the skin red and bumpy. Generally, itching due to insect bites can subside within a few days.
However, to relieve the annoying itching on the soles of the feet, you can try the following simple steps:
- Clean the bitten area with soap and clean water
- Compress the insect bitten area with a towel soaked in cold water for 10 minutes
- Position your feet higher than your chest to reduce swelling
- Avoid scratching the itchy or red foot area
- If the itching does not subside with other measures, you can use an antihistamine itch reliever.
If the itching on the soles of the feet worsens, does not improve within a few days, or is accompanied by symptoms of infection, such as pus, pain, and fever, immediately consult a doctor for treatment.
4. Mite infection or scabies
Mite or scabies infections better known as scabies. This disease can cause several symptoms, namely a rash with bumps, scaly or blistered skin, and itching that gets worse at night.
Scabies does not heal on its own. To treat itching on the soles of the feet due to scabies, mite-killing drugs are needed, such as permethrin ointment, as well as antihistamines according to a doctor's prescription.
scabies It is a contagious skin disease. However, the spread of infection can be prevented by washing bedding or sheets and blankets that have been in contact with sufferers using hot water and drying. In addition, avoid sharing toiletries or clothing with people with scabies.
5. Dermatitis on the feet
Another cause of itching on the soles of the feet is contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is an allergic skin reaction that can cause skin symptoms of itching, redness, dry skin, and pain or soreness on the skin due to direct contact with allergy-triggering substances.
In feet, this allergy can be triggered by certain materials found in footwear, such as leather or rubber, chemicals in shoes, or decorations used in shoes.
Handling itching on the soles of the feet due to dermatitis can be done by staying away from allergy triggers, giving cold compresses to the soles of the feet for 15 – 30 minutes, and avoiding scratching the soles of the feet.
If these treatments are not effective in dealing with itching, you should consult a doctor for treatment. To treat dermatitis that causes itching on the feet, doctors can prescribe medications, such as corticosteroid ointments or creams and antihistamines to relieve itching.
6. Certain medical conditions
Itching on the soles of the feet, fingers, or backs of the feet can also be caused by certain medical conditions, such as liver disease, peripheral neuropathy, psoriasis, diabetes, and kidney disease. If you have a history of the disease and feel complaints of itchy feet, you should consult a doctor to get the right treatment.
How to prevent itching on the soles of the feet
Itching on the soles of the feet is certainly very annoying. To prevent this, there are several things you can do, namely:
- Clean your feet when they get dirty and dry your feet afterwards.
- Apply moisturizer to your feet after every shower
- Avoid wearing shoes when your feet are still wet
- Avoid scratching your feet
- Wear comfortable socks, such as cotton or wool, and change socks whenever they get wet.
If you have applied some of the methods above, but the itching on the soles of the feet still appears, often recurs, or even gets worse, immediately consult a dermatologist to find out what causes itchy feet.
After the cause is known, the doctor can provide treatment to overcome the itching complaint on the soles of your feet.