In most cases, we go to the doctors only when the situation becomes serious or a sick leave is required. For some petty reasons, I don’t want to take time off from work, and even once, especially if it doesn’t hurt, but just the toe is itchy. However, time passes, the itching becomes unbearable, and you have to look for reasons.
What's happening? Why can toes itch? Is it possible to do it on my own, or will I have to make an appointment with a doctor? Let's try to figure it out.
The most common causes of toe itching
The right palm itches for money, and the legs itch for the long journey. And whether this road turns out to be profitable depends on which foot itches - left or right. If everything was so simple, there would be no problem. Unfortunately, itching on the feet, and especially between the toes, indicates the presence of problems that are not related to signs.
What does the body signal if all or at least one toe is itchy? Here is a short list of the likely causes of this unpleasant itch:
- fungal diseases;
- scabies mite;
- allergy;
- neurological reaction;
- consequences of injury.
It is also worth noting that itching is a debilitating phenomenon that spoils the mood, increases nervousness, and makes it difficult to concentrate. Before treatment, it is worthwhile to find out the diagnosis, and for this it is advisable to contact a dermatologist first. It is this specialist who will check you on the first three points from the list.
Fungal diseases
If on the feet, toes, and especially between the fingers you feel itching and burning, the skin seems reddened, and the nails began to look somehow unhealthy, then with a high degree of probability this is a fungal disease. It’s very easy to pick up ailment - just put on someone else’s slippers as a guest, walk without changing shoes in the shower at the gym or pool. Wherever the leg of an infected person has theoretically visited, you can hook uninvited “tenants” to yourself. And now the toes are itching. It is necessary to treat, as mycoses do not pass on their own!
A dermatologist will diagnose and prescribe treatment. Usually, antifungal drugs are prescribed in a convenient form for application: spray or cream. In addition, in the treatment of persistent mycoses, pills are prescribed that must be taken simultaneously with local treatment.
Scabies affection
Symptoms of a scabies mite lesion are at first glance similar to a fungal infection: itching, redness of the skin. The tick is so small that the bite site is not striking, and the sensations are really similar. However, when struck by a tick, the toes are very itchy, and then the places of the bites begin to become inflamed. In addition, as a reaction, an allergy can begin, seriously complicating the situation.
Infection with the scabies mite occurs in the same way as with a fungal infection - as a result of contact with surfaces infected by another person. For diagnosis, the doctor will take a skin scraping, but in most cases the diagnosis is made by indirect signs. Properly prescribed treatment helps literally in a few days.
Allergy
An allergic reaction can begin as an aggravating circumstance in case of mycosis, infection with a tick or manifest itself in response to the presence of external allergens. Anything can provoke a reaction - new shoes, synthetic socks, poorly rinsed laundry detergent.
An allergic reaction can occur as hives, when redness and blisters on the toes itch and itch. However, this condition can easily turn into eczema, as a result of which wet red areas appear between the fingers. Antihistamines can alleviate the situation, but eliminating the source of allergies is the best option. To do this, you can contact an allergist or try to eliminate the source by the method of exclusion: change the washing powder, switch to cotton socks.
Neurological itching
If a dermatologist ruled out all three of the causes listed above, the root of the problem may lie in neurology. For example, if, for no apparent reason, not the whole foot itches, but the big toe on the right foot itches, and only it. If there was no damage, the cause may be a neurological reaction caused by uncomfortable shoes, hypothermia, the initial stage of arthritis.
If one single toe itches and itches, while you are convinced that none of the above problems has anything to do with you, it is possible to go to a traumatologist, because neurological reactions can also be a consequence of trauma.
Consequences of injury
Not all injuries are distinguished by a pronounced pain syndrome, sometimes the pain seems to mask as a banal itch. If you see that the red toe is itching, then you can assume such a microtrauma as an insect bite, an injection by a poisonous plant, or a banal splinter. Localized redness and swelling do not allow you to consider the injection site or bite, and not everyone is able to bring his foot so close to his face that he should study the problem properly.
Rubs, corns, an ingrown corner of the nail may not hurt, but the toe itches and seems to ache, and when viewed, there are no bruises or bright redness. Perhaps the inflammation is somewhat blurry, and the entire foot is slightly red. Be sure to go to the doctor. Finally, a healing fracture, a microcrack, may itch. You should not launch such damage, because you can quietly aggravate the situation.
If everything is fine, but the itch does not go away
Have you visited the doctors, made sure that everything is in order, but do you still feel discomfort? This also happens. Why are toes itching, and how to get rid of it?
It is possible that this is a reaction to sweat. Relief is brought by warm baths with a decoction of oak bark. Tannins help reduce perspiration, unpleasant odor of sweat disappears, itching is removed. Oatmeal baths work well - a couple of spoons of oatmeal should be ground in a coffee grinder, brewed with boiling water and diluted with warm water at a comfortable temperature. Oatmeal covers the skin with a thin layer of delicate powder, soothes almost any skin inflammation.
It is possible that itching is a secondary symptom of nervous tension. Observe yourself, such sensations, as a rule, have a wandering character. Today it only scratches the elbow, tomorrow - the toes, the day after tomorrow the knee can be combed. Herbal tea from soothing herbs and, if possible, elimination of irritating factors sometimes do real miracles.
The comprehensive beneficial effects of sea salt for foot baths have already been noted by numerous experts. If you can go to the sea - fine. Micromassage also has an additional healing effect if you walk on sand and small pebbles barefoot in the surf. If this is not possible, you can simply buy sea salt, preferably without flavorings and colorings, dilute in warm water and make a foot bath. Be attentive to yourself, just so the body will not signal, and there is a reason for everything.