Itching Hands and Feet

Allergic reactions to certain substances, skin problems and poor nutrition are some of the main causes of itching hands and feet.
No matter what part of the body is itching, one thing is for sure that it is uncomfortable and the person is left with no option but to scratch it frequently. Scratching only provides temporary relief as the itching sensation returns back within a short time. It is observed that the hands and feet are the most common sites of itching.

Itching in Hands and Feet
In rare cases, persistent itchy skin has been associated to liver or kidney problems. Usually, it occurs as a consequence of poor diet or allergic response to certain foods. It is discussed below:

Allergic Reaction
Itching hands and feet with no rash? Well, it means that the person is allergic to certain food stuffs in the diet. Seafood allergy is prevalent in adults that can give rise to persistent itchy feeling but does not necessarily produce a skin rash. An antibiotic dosage to treat bacterial infections may not be tolerated by the skin and cause this annoying sensation without showing any presence of rash. In most cases, people experience the itching sensation immediately after consuming these allergic substances.

Direct Contact With Irritants
Detergents that are used to clean utensils and clothes contain harsh chemicals. Contact with these detergent can immediately trigger itchy feeling and exposure on a daily basis, which is more common in women can not only cause itchiness but also damage the skin. The exposed area suffers from mild to moderate rash. Exposure to paints used at construction sites can also make the skin dry and itchy.

Vitamin B Deficiency
Itchiness in feet and hands with no rash has also been linked to inadequate intake of vitamins. Poor nutrition is a primary contributory factor to vitamin deficiency. The shortage of B complex vitamins in the diet can irritate the skin and can be one of the causes of severe itching.

Poor Blood Circulation
Blood circulation problems to the arms and legs can also trigger itching sensation in these areas. Inappropriate sleeping position can cause unwanted changes in blood flow to the extremities. This is one of the reasons why people experience itchy hands and feet at night.

Pregnancy
Itching in the arms and legs during pregnancy is related to hormonal changes. Hormonal imbalance is common at the time of pregnancy, which often leads to itching sensation temporarily. It is observed that estrogen levels increase dramatically during pregnancy that may be responsible for causing itchy skin.

Skin Problems
Itchy feet and hands has been associated with a number of skin conditions. Besides, itching, the texture of the skin also changes. Skin rashes that itch are the main culprits behind this annoying sensation. It is discussed below:

Heat Rash
This is a common skin problem during summer time and is often the result of excessive sweating. Too much sweating on the superficial skin blocks the underlying sweat glands. The obstruction irritates the sweat gland, which eventually causes formation of red itchy skin rash.

Ringworm
Ringworm infection is yet another skin problem that is marked by persistent itchiness. Basically, ringworm is a fungus and when it invades the hands and feet, raised scaly patches of skin develop and cause terrible itching.

Psoriasis
Psoriasis, resulting from immune system dysfunction makes the skin red and is accompanied by thick scaly patches that cause itching and burning sensation in the affected area. Although, psoriasis can strike any part of the body, it is usually the palms and feet that show symptoms of this skin problem. Psoriasis that causes itchy feet and palms is a chronic skin disorder and severity of symptoms keeps on fluctuating as long as the condition persists.

Overall, itchy feeling over hands and feet in the absence of skin rash is pointing towards allergic reaction to some sort of medicine or food. An allergy test can help to determine whether the substance under suspicion is tolerated by the body. Also, following a healthy, nutritious diet rich in vitamins and minerals may help to resolve the issues. On the other hand, skin problems may be treated with appropriate moisturizer and anti-itch creams to relieve the itchiness.
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Last Updated: 10/1/2011
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