Shoes have an important job. After all, they are responsible for protecting your feet as you trudge across town completing your daily activities. However, even shoes cannot protect you from all the environmental and biological factors your feet endure. It’s definitely hard to deny a problem when you have itchy feet because of the irritation and discomfort they cause. While this may signify a deeper medical problem, itchy feet can also be a result of shoe problems.
To help you solve your itchy feet problem, here at FootFitter we compiled a list of the medical issues that may cause itchiness and shoe-related problems.
Why do I have itchy feet?
Numerous factors can contribute to itchy feet. Environmental irritants and sweat are common culprits that cause feet issues, especially in the warmer months. In these cases, simple soap and water can usually eliminate the problem.
However, itchy feet can also be a sign of a deeper medical issue. These include:
Athlete’s Foot
This fungal infection is typically first noticeable in the toes. Symptoms include a scaly rash that causes itchy feet and discomfort. Unfortunately, infected people are extremely contagious. Moreover, the infection can spread by sharing clothes and towels or walking barefoot on the floor with an infected person. According to the National Institutes of Health, at any one time between 15 and 25 percent of people have Athlete’s Foot.
Eczema
Eczema may be more commonly found in the arms, knees and neck, foot eczema can also occur. While it may initially appear similar to Athlete’s Foot, eczema is not contagious. The condition presents symptoms like oozing dry, flaky skin, intensely itchy feet and blisters.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis and eczema appear fairly similar. Like eczema’s blisters, red patches and silvery dead skin are characteristics of psoriasis. However, while eczema has more to do with itchy skin, psoriasis causes more problems. For example, many people with psoriasis experience a burning sensation and pain in the affected area.
Can shoes cause itchy feet?
Sometimes itchy feet is not a medical problem, but rather an issue resulting from your shoes. When heat and feet meet, sweat and dampness in your shoes is often the result. This can lead to itchiness and discomfort.
Shoes being too tight can contribute to issues like Athlete’s Foot. In addition, tightness can cause flare ups of eczema and more pain in people with psoriasis.
In addition, issues like poor hygiene, increased physical activity and allergies to new clothes or laundry detergents can cause itchiness and discomfort. Considering changes to your regular schedule can often help you pinpoint the source of the problem.
How can I prevent itchiness in the future?
When it comes to foot itchiness and discomfort, both natural remedies and tools can be useful in eliminating dry skin and dampness in shoes.
If you are looking for an organic way to fight issues like eczema and psoriasis, coconut oil works well to soothe irritated skin and reduce inflammation. Moreover, it offers antibacterial, anti-fungal, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. In addition, essential oils like tea tree and sandalwood work well to reduce inflammation and irritation.
When shoes are the issue, shoe trees can help to improve the smell of shoes and remove unwanted dampness by absorbing moisture. Cedar wood shoe trees work well to maintain a heel, dress shoe or boot’s form and offer a pleasant smell to counteract foul sock or sweat odors.
Shoe stretchers are also useful to reduce tightness in new shoes. While you want your shoes to fit snug so they do not slide off, you do not want them to be so tight that you develop issues like Athlete’s Foot. Shoe stretchers replace your foot’s form when you aren’t wearing them.
