Attentive attitude to your body allows you to hear the alarming signals that it gives us in time and prevent various difficult consequences from developing. Unfortunately, many are waiting for serious symptoms and serious conditions before they are examined. Often such a harmless phenomenon, when the toes itch and ache, does not make you run to the doctor and look for the cause. But in vain!
What does the itching of the toes indicate?
It is necessary to distinguish the appearance of unpleasant symptoms on the fingers depending on their intensity and duration. After observing for several days, we can talk about one reason or another for the appearance of itching.
If the big toe is scratched or the upper part of the remaining toes is scratched once, after removing tight shoes, then most likely the reason is the latter. Too narrow or tight shoes lead to disruption of blood circulation in the limbs. After the legs are released from the "grip", a sensation of itching and tingling is possible.
In addition, if the big toes itch , especially in the area of their base and bone, we can assume a change in the bone structure of the foot, characteristic of flat feet. This phenomenon develops gradually, but the consequences are almost irreversible. Therefore, attention to the first alarming symptoms is important.
Constant, severe itching, a burning sensation and irritation in the area of the toes and between them indicate a skin or fungal disease. In this case, specialist advice and urgent treatment is necessary.
Probable causes of itching
When your toes itch, then any shoes and movement will bring discomfort. To correctly assess the situation, you need to know the most common causes leading to unpleasant sensations in the area of the feet and toes:
- Impaired blood circulation. May occur due to temperature differences, hypothermia or overheating, as well as the wearing of improperly selected shoes.
- Deformation in the foot. The development of flat feet or hallux valgus leads to crushing of the nerve endings in the toes. The result is an itch, as well as pain.
- Allergic reaction. Itching in the toes can be a consequence of both general intoxication of the body from an allergen, and the result of a local reaction, for example, to synthetic socks.
- Chronic skin disease. Feet and toes are most often subject to manifestations of eczema, psoriasis and neurodermatitis. A manifestation of these diseases, along with other signs, is itching.
- Fungal lesions, or mycoses. One of the main distinguishing symptoms of fungal diseases is that the skin turns red, peels and itches between the toes.
Mycoses are the leaders among skin problems on the feet, so they should be given special attention.
Symptoms and diagnosis of fungal diseases
Most often, toes suffer from a fungus for a long time. The disease begins with an unpleasant sensation of discomfort and itching between the fourth and fifth toes. The fungus can affect only one leg, but more often the disease affects two feet at the same time.
The skin between the fingers peels, blushes and wears. The disease is accompanied by severe itching, which can be aggravated and supplemented by a burning sensation.
If you do not take any measures, then the fungus will grow and affect the remaining toes. In this case, any shoes will bring discomfort, the affected area - it is unpleasant to give away at every step, and the legs will acquire a persistent unpleasant odor.
A dermatologist can confirm the diagnosis of mycosis. Based on visual inspection and laboratory diagnosis of scraping from diseased skin, a specialist will not only establish the appearance of the fungus, but also its sensitivity to drugs.
If your toes itch constantly, the discomfort does not leave, do not neglect the visit to the doctor. A fungus is a disease that requires a long and systemic treatment.
Therapy of painful conditions
The treatment regimen for the skin of the feet directly depends on the cause of the painful and itchy sensations. If the itching is provoked by irritation from shoes, synthetic socks, hypothermia or a slight injury to the skin, then the best way will be to eliminate the cause and the foot bath with room temperature water.
For systemic diseases, such as allergies or chronic dermatitis, only a dermatologist can choose the treatment. It consists in cleaning the body and following a diet; external products are only an auxiliary phenomenon.
Fungal diseases are treated by many on their own. On the basis of advertising or the advice of friends they buy ointments and non-stop, and often unsuccessfully smear. Treatment for a fungus should be prescribed by a specialist, since each type of fungus is susceptible only to certain antifungal drugs.
In advanced cases, you may need to take antifungal medications inside for a complex effect. During treatment, you need to follow strict hygiene: wear clothes only from natural fabrics, wash them at high temperatures and be sure to iron on both sides, change socks several times a day after each treatment.
The treatment of the fungus is long, sometimes tiring for the patient. But only by following implicitly all the recommendations of a dermatologist, you can overcome this unpleasant disease.
Preventative measures
When your toes itch and hurt all the time, this means that you already need medical attention. But as with any disease, the appearance of discomfort on the feet is much easier to prevent than to treat. To do this, follow the simple rules:
- Do not wear or measure other people's shoes without socks;
- Do not walk barefoot in public places (pool, shower, hotel room);
- Before going for new shoes, take care to bring clean socks with you;
- if necessary, change socks to clean, but at least once a day;
- select shoes made from natural materials clearly in size, do not allow them to crush or sting;
- Wear socks made from natural fabrics only.
The fungus can be hidden on the skin for a long time and wake up with a decrease in immunity. Therefore, it is important to monitor your health in general: eat right, do physical exercises, lead an active lifestyle and monitor hygiene. And then a problem such as itching of the toes will bypass you.