When your hands and feet itch, the right treatment can help you get relief. How you treat the itching depends a lot on the cause of the problem.
It may just be dry skin, which can be brought on by winter weather or too much scrubbing. But sometimes, itchy hands and feet can signal another health condition. Read on to learn more about the possible causes of itchy hands and feet.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis happens when skin cells grow too fast and pile up on the skin’s surface. It’s a long-lasting condition that usually runs in families. There are a few different types, and itchiness of the palms and soles is a common symptom.
If you have psoriasis, you may also have:
- Patches of red skin, bumps filled with puss, or silver scales
- Painful, swollen, or stiff joints
- Soreness of the affected area
- Itchiness in other places such as your elbows, knees, lower back, and face
Eczema
Eczema is a group of conditions that inflame the skin. Several different types can show up anywhere on your body. But one type, called dyshidrotic dermatitis, affects only the hands and feet.
Besides the urge to scratch, symptoms of dyshidrotic dermatitis include:
- Clear blisters
- Red, cracked skin
- Scaly skin
Scabies
An eight-legged bug, called the human itch mite, is the source of this common skin condition. The tiny pest digs into the top layer of your skin and lays eggs there, causing scabies.
The condition tends to spread in very crowded areas, where people have a lot of skin-to-skin contact that happens over a long time. You usually can’t get scabies from quick touching, such as a handshake or a hug.
Itchy hands and feet are common in infants and young kids with scabies, but not adults. It also causes:
- Itchiness, especially at night, of the entire body or specific areas, such as the wrists, elbows, armpits, and the webbing between fingers
- Pimply rash
- Tiny blisters and scales
- Sores
- Grayish-white or skin-colored “burrows” that look like lines
Allergies
Your skin can have an allergic reaction to something you touch. The response you see and feel is another type of eczema called allergic contact dermatitis.
Symptoms may not appear for a few hours after you touch the item you’re allergic to. When they do appear, you may feel itchy and have:
- Rash
- Very dry skin
- Burning and stinging
- Hives
- Blisters
Reactions to Medications
Sometimes, itching could be a side effect of medicines you might be taking. When this is the case, you might have other skin symptoms such as:
- Redness
- Bumps
- Blisters
- Hives
- Peeling
- Pain
Medications known to cause reactions that include itching in some people include:
- Blood-pressure medicines such as amlodipine (Caduet)
- Aspirin
- Pain relief often prescribed for extreme pain, such as opioids
- Cancer treatment such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy
Talk to your doctor about the itching and any other uncomfortable side effects you might be having with the medicines you’re taking.
Also, get immediate medical help if you’re having severe allergic skin reactions, with symptoms such as:
- Wheezing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Chest tightness
- Stomach pain
Uncontrolled Diabetes
A skin problem is sometimes the first sign that you have diabetes. One of these skin conditions is eruptive xanthomatosis, which can make hands and feet itch.
It’s caused by out-of-control diabetes, and it goes away when the disease is managed well. It can also make you itchy on your arms, legs, and buttocks.
Other signs of eruptive xanthomatosis:
- Small, yellow bumps on the skin
- Redness around the bumps
- High cholesterol
Liver Diseases
Lasting itching is a common symptom of liver disease. When this is the case:
- You might have an itch on skin areas that appear normal or without rashes, redness, or bumps.
- The itching could be so severe that it interferes with your sleep or daily activities.
- The itching won’t go away when you scratch the itchy areas.
Other symptoms of liver disease include:
- Tiredness
- Yellow skin and eyes, a condition called jaundice
- Nausea and vomiting
- Having no appetite
- Bruising easily
- Stomach pain and swelling
- Swelling in the legs and ankles
- Dark urine
- Pale stool
See a doctor immediately if you’re having these symptoms.
Nerve Damage
Nerve damage from an injury or disease can cause itchy skin. The itching might happen only in one area, and you won’t see a rash. Conditions that cause itching from nerve damage include:
- Diabetes
- Shingles
- Stroke
- Multiple sclerosis
- Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis
See a doctor if you have itching and other symptoms of nerve damage such as
- Tingling, numbness, or pins and needles in your feet and hands
- Been unable to feel that something’s hot or cold
- Being unable to feel pain
- Breathing problems
- Swallowing difficulties
- Muscle pain, twitching, and weakness
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness or fainting
- Sexual problems
- Sweating too much or too little
- Problems peeing
How to Stop Itchy Hands and Feet
In general, the answer depends on what's making your hands and feet itch. When dry skin is to blame, ointments, creams, and lotions can help. If those don’t keep you from scratching, talk to your doctor to find out what’s right for you.
Allergies
An allergic reaction may need antihistaminesor corticosteroids, whether over-the-counter or prescribed by your doctor.
Scabies
Some products, such as crotamiton cream or lotion, treat scabies by killing the mites on your body, which could make the itching go away. Your doctor might also recommend antihistamines and pramoxine lotion to relieve itching.
Psoriasis and eczema
Skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema often require a more detailed treatment plan that involves treating the condition itself, using itch-relieving medicines with ingredients such as menthol or camphor, taking antihistamines, and moisturizing your skin.
Your doctor can determine the exact cause of the itching and recommend the right treatment.
Reactions to medications
If you’re reacting to a medication, the itching will likely go away without treatment. If it’s causing you to itch a lot, your doctor might recommend stopping the medicine. They might also prescribe medicines such as antihistamines and corticosteroid creams for the itching.
Health conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, liver disease, and nerve damage
The best way to treat itching as a symptom of a health condition is by treating the condition itself.
Your doctor might recommend medications to manage your blood sugar levels and lifestyle and diet changes to reduce your symptoms if a diagnosis shows you have uncontrolled diabetes.
For liver disease, your treatment may include making healthy lifestyle changes, taking medications, getting surgery, or getting a liver transplant.
Depending on the cause of the nerve damage, your doctor may recommend medications, surgery, and physical therapy to manage your symptoms.
Takeaways
Itchy hands and feet may be due to a regular problem such as dry skin from harsh weather or scrubbing too hard on the skin. It might also be due to a more serious problem such as uncontrolled diabetes and liver disease. If moisturizing the itchy area doesn’t help you get relief, see a doctor or dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment. Also, see a doctor if you’re having other symptoms with the itching.
Itchy Hands and Feet FAQs
Why are my feet and fingers itchy?
Your feet and fingers may be itchy due to dryness, allergic reactions, reactions to medicines you’re taking, or nerve damage.
How can I stop my hands and feet from itching?
Moisturizing your hands and feet can ease itching. Taking antihistamines might help when you’re having an allergic reaction. A doctor can recommend the right medicine to stop the itching when it’s a symptom of a health condition.
What can cause itchy feet and hands with no rash?
You can have itchy feet and hands with no rash with health conditions such as liver diseases and nerve damage.
Why are my hands and feet itching like crazy at night?
If your hands and feet are dry, they can itch a lot, as the body tends to lose moisture at night. Itching may also happen if your temperature is high, if you have hormonal problems, or as a sign that your body is fighting off an illness.
What causes itchy palms?
Itchy palms can happen due to dry skin, allergies, eczema, nerve damage, or other health conditions.
Should I be concerned about tingling and itchy hands and feet?
If tingling and itchy hands and feet last more than a few minutes, don’t go away, and happen often, you should see a doctor.
