Simple Tips to Stop Itchy Hands and Feet

There is a saying that an itchy hand means that you will either receive or give away money—it all depends on the hand that is itching. If only that old wives’ tale was true, especially when it comes to receiving money! However, itchy hands and feet are side effects of various problems, some more serious than others. It could be due to an allergic reaction, or you may just have hot feet for some reason.

Unless it is a very serious condition that you already know about, there are some simple tips to help ease the itching on your hands or feet. Here are some of the methods to try.

Dry skin is a very common reason for itchy hands and feet. Very dry skin starts to crack, and this can become painful. Annoyingly, cracked skin seems to itch a lot because of the tingling in the nerves. The good news is that this is one of the easiest problems to do something about. You just need to add moisture to your skin!

Well, it sounds easy, but what can you actually do? It’s best to have some hand cream with you whenever you’re out. That way you can just apply the cream and move on. It is slightly harder when it comes to the feet. The best thing to do is try to keep your feet as hydrated as possible throughout the day. On a morning and night, make it a habit to use foot cream to help encourage the skin to remain hydrated and tingling free.

Fungal infections, like Athlete’s Foot, are extremely common. It doesn’t mean you’re unhygienic. It is just a sign that you haven’t followed the best foot care. The annoying thing is that this fungal infection can pass onto your hands and other parts of your body if it becomes severe enough. The good news is that it is relatively easy to take care of.

The first thing is to get medication to help it. There are plenty of over-the-counter options, and many are highly effective especially when it comes to mild versions of the problem. However, you do need to catch it as early as possible. If you leave it to get any worse and continue to scratch the area, it will spread and you will need prescription medications to help improve it.

Use the medications as stated and keep an eye on the area. You will also need to follow a good regime for washing and drying the affected areas. Never use a towel as this will just spread the infection. Paper towels that are discarded straight afterwards should be used to dry the areas and only the infected areas.

Have you ever noticed that feet are itchier when it comes to the heat? There is a reason for this. The heat causes your veins to rise to the surface of the skin because the blood doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your body warm. This leads to your nerves becoming more sensitive, so you are more likely to suffer from itchiness around the area. This is extremely common if you have gone from being very cold to very hot.

You want to warm your body up slowly if you are going from cold to hot. Not only will you get itchy hands and feet, but you can do some damage to your body by heating it up too quickly.

If you find the itchiness starts after a prolonged time, see if you can take off a few layers, especially around your hands or feet. Remove your shoes and socks if you can, and kick off any blankets that you have. Give your body the chance to cool down, so the areas are not as annoyingly itchy.

Try to take your mind off the situation as much as possible. Thinking about it usually makes the itching feel worse!

If it is really bad and you can’t cool your body down, put the affected areas in some lukewarm water. It will help to cool the areas down gradually, while adding some moisture back into your skin.

It could be a reaction from something. If the itchiness isn’t settling down, try applying a hydrocortisone lotion. You can get them from over the counter, so you will not need to see your physician just yet. There are also some allergy creams that you can buy over the counter to help soothe your itchy hands and feet.

Always read the labels of anything you consider buying. The last thing you want is to find out there is an ingredient used that you are allergic to!

If you have the time, speak to a pharmacist about the best options for your needs. Don’t worry; they are highly trained to help explain the ingredients and just how they are going to work for you.

If the itchiness persists, it’s common to start looking into other reasons for it. Allergies could be one, but what could the reaction be towards? There are so many things in life that it could seem like absolutely anything. However, there are some more common reactors around your home and work.

The first is to think about any chemicals that you have used. Have you cleaned with bleach or could you have gotten another reactor on your hands accidentally? Most of the time these will be mild, but you will need to keep an eye on the area. Place your hands in some cool, clean water and soak them to help remove the chemicals.

If it is not chemicals, it could be the products you are using. Your makeup, moisturizing creams and even shower gel could be the reason. This usually occurs if you have changed anything lately. If you haven’t, chances are that you have not suddenly developed an allergic reaction. However, if the itchy hands and feet have been around for a while, this is a reason still worth considering.

Your diet could also be to blame. It may sound strange, but food allergies can affect the skin instead of the digestive system. You could come out in a rash, or just have a general feeling of itchiness. Working this out is often tricky. You need to create a food diary, and start cutting possible foods out one at a time—or cut them all out and add them in one at a time.

When the itchiness isn’t settling down, you really only have the option of seeking medical advice. Don’t leave the itchy hands and feet for too long before you do this. There could be an underlying problem that you need the prescription medication for, or a skin sample may need to be taken to see if there is an issue.

Please note that none of this should be taken as medical advice. This hub is for informational purposes only. If you do have any questions or concerns, you should always consult a trained physician.