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Feet and hand itch: Nighttime only
All my adult life, I've had recurring problems with either my feet or my hands developing a severe itch (usually not at the same time), almost always at nighttime (around 11:30 PM), occasionally earlier in the day or where standing. The itch is not confined to my soles but can be the entire foot and both sides of all my fingers. I am a thirty-year old very healthy male. The itch keeps me up at night.
The itch is a deep itch, and there is no rash/eczema/redness, and the itching is not seasonal. It does not respond to corticsteroids (including prescription ones), and it is not contact dermatitis. It does not respond to Hydroxyzine either.
I have ruled out peripheral neuropathy (pain in the extremities due to Diabetes), and my blood sugar and liver blood tests all come out fine.
The itch is not athletes foot (I know because I have had athletes foot), and wouldn't apply because it's on my hands occasionally.
The itch is not due to dry skin because I 1) use moisturizers, 2) live in very humid San Francisco, and 3) it is a deep itch with no visible symptoms.
I do have a history of depression, but I have noticed no correlation between the itch and depression and stress. It still occurs at some of the least stressful times of my life. If there is a correlation with stress, it's because the itch itself is stressful.
The only relief I have discovered are cold compresses. I have a freezer full of them. Heat does not help. People have spent time with me can testify about how strong this itch is. It occurs 2-3 times a week and takes about an hour before it calms down. The odd thing is it occurs only at night.
My current best theory is it may be due to a hormonal problem. In light of this itch manifesting itself only at night, a circadian hormonal spike or imbalance makes sense. Pregnant women report itchy hands.
Another theory is a metabolic intolerance. If I eat something I can't metabolize during the day, the itchiness would therefore only show itself at night as whatever I can't digest builds up. I can't find any correlation with it and my diet, however. Recently, I was assaulted and had to spend two days hospitalized. The second night, the itch showed up (the nurse thought I was crazy asking for ice rather than a sudafed: I told her the sudafed wouldn't work), but I hadn't been allowed to eat anything, so It couldn't be metabolic.
That leaves dietary deficiency - my body needing something, but I regularly take a multivitamin. Also possible is dietary over-eating (I pledge guilty to too much processed food and sodium), but, again, no correlation as far as I can see.
I have read about 10+ postings across the magikall interwebs describing the same phenomena in others, all with stupid follow up suggestions about athletes foot, et. al. If there is a reasonable theory of what is going on with this itch out there, I would much like to hear about it!
The itch is a deep itch, and there is no rash/eczema/redness, and the itching is not seasonal. It does not respond to corticsteroids (including prescription ones), and it is not contact dermatitis. It does not respond to Hydroxyzine either.
I have ruled out peripheral neuropathy (pain in the extremities due to Diabetes), and my blood sugar and liver blood tests all come out fine.
The itch is not athletes foot (I know because I have had athletes foot), and wouldn't apply because it's on my hands occasionally.
The itch is not due to dry skin because I 1) use moisturizers, 2) live in very humid San Francisco, and 3) it is a deep itch with no visible symptoms.
I do have a history of depression, but I have noticed no correlation between the itch and depression and stress. It still occurs at some of the least stressful times of my life. If there is a correlation with stress, it's because the itch itself is stressful.
The only relief I have discovered are cold compresses. I have a freezer full of them. Heat does not help. People have spent time with me can testify about how strong this itch is. It occurs 2-3 times a week and takes about an hour before it calms down. The odd thing is it occurs only at night.
My current best theory is it may be due to a hormonal problem. In light of this itch manifesting itself only at night, a circadian hormonal spike or imbalance makes sense. Pregnant women report itchy hands.
Another theory is a metabolic intolerance. If I eat something I can't metabolize during the day, the itchiness would therefore only show itself at night as whatever I can't digest builds up. I can't find any correlation with it and my diet, however. Recently, I was assaulted and had to spend two days hospitalized. The second night, the itch showed up (the nurse thought I was crazy asking for ice rather than a sudafed: I told her the sudafed wouldn't work), but I hadn't been allowed to eat anything, so It couldn't be metabolic.
That leaves dietary deficiency - my body needing something, but I regularly take a multivitamin. Also possible is dietary over-eating (I pledge guilty to too much processed food and sodium), but, again, no correlation as far as I can see.
I have read about 10+ postings across the magikall interwebs describing the same phenomena in others, all with stupid follow up suggestions about athletes foot, et. al. If there is a reasonable theory of what is going on with this itch out there, I would much like to hear about it!
I too have suffered with these exact same symptoms and the only thing that helps is freezing some water bottles and then holding them in my hands.
A nurse friend told me to make an oatmeal and water paste and put it over my feet and hands. Probably will use gloves if driven to try it.
Itchy hands and feet are a sign of liver damage and I just finished a round of antibiotics called Augmentin which according to the internet site livertox causes liver failure. My stools are also a light clay color which is another sign of bile not getting through.
Tylenol and NSAID's can cause liver failure.
Apparently the theory has to do with bile salts in the skin. It appears to accumulate during the day.
I went in for liver tests a few days ago and will report back if indeed it was caused by the antibiotics.
A nurse friend told me to make an oatmeal and water paste and put it over my feet and hands. Probably will use gloves if driven to try it.
Itchy hands and feet are a sign of liver damage and I just finished a round of antibiotics called Augmentin which according to the internet site livertox causes liver failure. My stools are also a light clay color which is another sign of bile not getting through.
Tylenol and NSAID's can cause liver failure.
Apparently the theory has to do with bile salts in the skin. It appears to accumulate during the day.
I went in for liver tests a few days ago and will report back if indeed it was caused by the antibiotics.
1 Comments
hello, No one here mentioned marijuana as a cause? i am a moderate but regular smoker and maybe it is the THC? I have intense foot itching at 2am, started on my right arch few years ago and then spread to both arches, heals. Good news for me is that one adult regular strength benadryl makes it go away but i am concerned about the dependancy of this sleep aid. My blood sugar is a little high but not pre diabetic. Any weed smokers with same issues?
Radishes, a large number of them like 6-10. I took them with apple slice so that the bitterness didn't bother much.
I am alive again :)
I am alive again :)
OMG, I have the exact problem. It's been happening for about 1.5 years and the only thing that helps is cold water or ice pack!
3 Comments
I am a 38 year old female. I have the sample problem at night only. Itching is worst with my hands but once and awhile my feet will itch also. It's a very deep internal itch. No rash or dry skin. The only relief is from running hands under cold water or using an ice pack. This started 1.5 years ago.
Erythromelalgia
I have had this for a year and I use an anti histamine tablet every two days it gives me relief for two maybe three days but it's not a cure
I am 14 and this issue started a week ago. An inner skin itch on my hands and feet and ankles that isn't caused by rashes or diabetes. I have no allergies or medical conditions. it occurs 2-4 hours after I fall asleep, and takes 1-2 hours to chill out enough for me to Fall back asleep. Are there any good ways to get rid of the itches before seeing a doctor? I've fallen asleep multiple times in class being woken up by the bell.
3 Comments
38 year old male - here same issue as all of you. Every night at 11:30 my feet feel like im standing on a south georgia fire ant hill. I put on hydrocortisone cream and try to stay calm.. It usually passes within the hour. It always strikes just as I am falling asleep. My hands have itched on occasion but the feet has been consistant. This started a month ago. I have asthma and allergies, and oral allergies ( cant eat certiain foods wihtout esophageal cramping etc..) Also have been having ALOT of stress in work and family. I have taken tramadol for piriformis syndrome but do not see any link. I hope one day we will find out what is causing this nocturnal foot itch without any rash what so ever. Thanks for posting people, Im glad I am not alone. Till this evening - Take care.
Have you found an answer? I have tbe saMe thing for years.deep intence itching hands at night no rash or anything i sometimes scald my hands in hot water to make it stop!
Erythromelalgia
Oh my!! I woke up at least 5 times last night with my fingers itching like mad! I scratched them with my fingernails so much I thought I was going to scratch my skin off! I slathered hydrocortisone on one time, lotion on other times and NOTHING! In a few answers above, I noticed depression. I have been taking anti-d's for years and have been on Trintellix and Lamictil for about 6 mos. I am convinced my other unexplained conditions (memory loss being the worst) have to be related to them since all blood work and physicals are always frustratingly normal. Has nyone else found it could be related to your meds? Like another poster above, I feel like sawing my fingers off!
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