Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

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!
52 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I have had this itching at night BE for too many years to count I read where someone said that their liver enzymes were elevated I have Hep C in remission since 96 now after bariatric surgery have pancreatitis. I don't drink alcohol ever I'm allergic to it and don't smoke cigarettes it as someone posted weed. I did notice that when I used Caress shower gel I did not have flares. I stopped and OMG last night was the worst even itching around my ears.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Kelvin, I have the exact same problem with hands and feet itching, mostly hands but sometimes feet as well.  The only thing that works for me is taking hydroxazine every single night, or fexofenadine works too.   I have been to several doctors about the problem and no one seems to know, so frustrating.   I have had it for about 13 years.   No body can understand the depth and severity of this itch.  It is mostly between my fingers and toes.  Sometimes when my hands itch, the other had will itch in the exact same spot.  You cannot reach or relieve the itch.
This only occurs at night.  So frustrating.  Hate taking the meds every single day.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
I have this exact issue.  I have given myself carpet burn on my feet, while trying to relieve the intense itching.  Doctors don't have any answers and tell me to take an allergy piĺl.  It does help, but I'm sick of the bandaid approach and not getting to the root of the problem.  Over  15 years of dealing wuth this.
Avatar universal
Change bedding and vacuum bedding it could be dust mits I have hardwood floors and with cats hair and dust its aweful I have some of the simular symptoms I used rubbing alcohol to keep the dust mites down sleeping better
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have this same problem to this day both hands and feet and kegs itch all the time I use anti histomines every two days it stops the itching within the hour and lasts for about two days,it's no cure but it gives me some relief,I hope this is some help to you
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Same problem. It just started for me this week, never has happened before and I'm 26 years old, female, not pregnant. It happened three times this week, only at night when I'm in bed. My hands feel hot and swollen and they get tingly and start to itch violently all over my hands, like in between fingers and everything. I feel it mildly on my feet, but not enough to really scratch at them. I think it lasts for less than an hour, maybe twenty minutes or so. I've tried lotions and no lotions thinking it could be an allergic reaction. I have been on different cold medicines and allergy medicines lately due to colds, coughs, and seasonal allergies. I ran out of my daily vitamins, so I'm wondering if it's lack of vitamins or change in medicines.

I can only explain it as like a restless leg syndrome in my hands but with violent itching. No rash or anything like that. Or almost like my hands are going through a drug withdrawal or something crazy. (I've never experienced withdrawal before though, I've never used any recreational drugs before.)

Throughout the day they feel mildly tingly, but I can barely feel it. Cold things feel fantastic on my hands when it happens. I have been stressed out this week, but I've been stressed out many times before and worse than this week so I don't know why it would be happening all of a sudden. I really hope it doesn't last like all of you have commented on. I couldn't imagine having this happen for years.

I read all of the possibilities that everyone has said it could be, but I've also read that it could be circulation, but rare. Well we seem to be rare. I'm wondering if I have a pinched nerve or something that flares up when I'm laying down in bed at night. The tingly-ness in my hands is almost a numbing feeling, but the itching doesn't make sense. I know what it feels like when my hands fall asleep. This is different! Any other ideas than what has already been mentioned?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Has anyone EVER figured out what causes this?
I am a 36yo female that has been dealing with this since I was about 24.
Doctors think i'm nuts and my bf is just like ok your crazy!
I told him it's so bad I want to cut my feet off!
It's mostly my feet but, sometimes my hands and fingers.
I don't have to be sleeping it starts within a hour of laying down trying to wind down. It has woke me from a dead sleep.
The itch is so deep scratching doesn't stop it.
Skin always looks normal.
Happens 3-5 nights a week.
I do have a history of depression and bi polar but, it happens weather i'm happy or not.
My back used to itch too as soon as I laid down to unwind but, that's seemed to have slowed down.
My theory for myself is a underlying auto immune disease but, who knows.
Could be a nerve disorder but, it's driving me INSANE and has been for many many years!

If anyone has anything please let me know.

There is absolutely NO pain just a deep god awful itch that last 1-3 hours *CRIES*
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
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.
Helpful - 0
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?
Avatar universal
Are you a believer in Jesus Christ? Please answer.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Avatar universal
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 :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
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!
Helpful - 0
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
Avatar universal
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.
Helpful - 0
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
Avatar universal
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!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
IVe had this, whatever it is, for years! Only at night, both hands and feet! An itch that cant be relieved no matter how much rubbing or scratching! Does anyone see a relationship between the itching and the amount of daily sodium. Guilty pleasures olives, I can guarantee if I eat just one I will scratch all night. Anybody?
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
The last 4 months I have got this.I had cancer in 2010, and have lympademia in both legs and my abdominal area. I'm 56. It starts at night.I take,alot of benadril. Nothing helps. I had my physical, no issues there. I've been really stressed out since November, my husband had a massive heart attack. I don't have the money to explore Dr's and troubleshoot at my expense. Hope someone can help us,all.
Avatar universal
I have suffered from all of these symptoms for 5 years now.  It always starts in January and lasts until March. Intense itching with no rash on my toes and sometimes the soles.  The other night, in desperation, I put BioFreeze gel on my toes and it was amazing. The itch stopped!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I too am suffering from the same thing. 46 yr old female. For me it starts around 8pm every night. I have no rash or correlation to anything (like many of the others that posted). I do find relief temporarily with benadryl cream and then a blast of CryoDerm spray which offers a cold sensation. I spray it on right before bed so I can fall asleep. I do have rheumatoid arthritis and have wondered if it is from swelling from working all day, but still happens on my days off. There is no correlation to meds as I have changed many times to different brands and nothing changes. When I wake up in the morning I am better. Wish I had answers.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I, too have all the symptoms described here. Although I do experience the worse of it at night, I also get flare ups during the day.  I am diabetic and also have very dry skin, but I remember having this long before I was diagnosed with diabetes. I haven't tried the cold compress yet but I will the next time it happens.  I am 59 years old, live in CT and so ready to find a solution.  My hands and feet are so sore to the touch from scratching. I've had thoughts of sticking myself with pins and/or needles but somehow knew that wouldn't work.  I've told my doctor about this but she just looks at me like I'm speaking Latin and shakes her head in confusion.  I have other health issues but again, I don't think they have anything to do with this problem.  I've noticed lately that my upper back itches terribly but not in the same way my hands and feet do. I scratch my feet so hard that I end up with peeling skin.  Like all of you, I am in dire need of answers or solutions to stop this madness!!  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Put a nice dose of Campho Phenique on the toes twice a day, BEFORE they start itching. Do this for one month.  Don't stop just because the itch goes away.  This is the ONLY thing I found to work.  My fourth toes itch like CRAZY.  It was even hard to determine the exact location of the itch, so I had to profusely rake my toes against the bed so much they were in distress.  After finding over the counter cortizone and left over prescribed anti-inflammatory creme, I desperately found an old container of campho phenique, and it worked.  Because my itch started right after leaving the spa, I think a germ was in my cuticles and skin gtew over it making it hard to locate, so I had to beat my toe for relief.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Same, same...  Female, 45, fairly healthy (30 lbs overweight) terrible intense itching on hands and feet - only at night, no rash, redness, etc. (until I scratch so hard I break the skin) not consistently every night, sometimes nothing for a couple weeks and then a season of 3-4 times a week awakening with it. I think the 2 benadryl only help because they knock me out so hard I sleep through any itching. Over the last 5 years or so it has gotten worse. I agree with hormonal spikes maybe even triggered by certain foods? The endocrine system is all linked together and related to nutrient intake and hormones.
Something new I just noticed...  I have been on a strict diet for about 2 months, have lost 26 lbs (no carbs, no sugar, no processed food, limited salt) have had almost no itching in the last month! Until tonight, but I have been once again slipping into bad habits (3 days now) but today was the worst probably. I had bread, and sweets, and tons of salt. Thinking that all that garbage is trying to escape my body? Maybe it spikes hormones or thyroid? Either way, I just scratched the crap out of my hands and feet with my hairbrush and after an hour of sleeplessness will head back to bed (4:30 am) ugh! I do love food, especially processed, but for the sake of sanity, sleep, and health - I guess I just need to grow up and eat the nutrient rich foods my body needs. Not worth the dermatological war with my appendages :-/
Hope you all find relief as well. It really is a blessing to find other people with similar issues - misery loves company??? Lol I will repost soon with another update to see if my hypothesis is correct. Sleep well all - no scratching.  
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
I am suffering from exactly the same thing. I'm a 44yr old female. Every night my hands and feet itch so bad I wanna go crazy. I've tried many things and have had many tests done with no relief. The cold compress does offer very temporary relief.
Please if anyone has any suggestions!!!!  I also take benadryl but it's not working too good.
Wow this is crazy. I am a 33 year old female, 7 months post-partum. This is the third or fourth night in a row I have woken up with burning, intensely itchy hands. I have never experienced this before. However, I was recently doing Whole30 (you know, eating no processed foods, very clean eating), and then went off it 5 days ago. I wonder if the itching is in response to diet?? Otherwise, I don't know what it could be. I take no meds, have no allergies, no depression or anxiety, no ailments that I know of. I just had my third little one and never experienced this with the other two. My skin is not red, nor does it have a rash, just extremely itchy and burning. Constant ice and cold applied seems to be the only thing that gives relief. I will go back on Whole30 tomorrow and report back as to whether it gives me relief!
Avatar universal
Yes, try Zyrtec or a generic form of it.  I had similar symptoms (itchy feet only at night keeping me up, no rash or marks, feet would feel hot) and this worked for me.  I don't have any known allergies but after taking a tablet of this antihistamine 20min later it does the trick and the itch goes away for me.  I try to take one when I suspect the itch is coming to prevent but either way is good.  Definitely worth a shot, I got a bottle of Cetirizine Hydrochloride from Amazon.   Good luck everybody, glad there are forums like this, it was very helpful and reassuring that I wasn't alone.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have this exact thing. I started taking loratadine in the morning and benedryl at night and it has helped a lot. I also notice that alcohol  (especially wine) and NSAIDs (ibuprofen, motrin, etc.) make it much worse.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
This thread. This. Thread. :)
I, too, am looking for a solution to the deep-in-the-foot itch. Am a mid-30s female from WI. Mine was always mostly at night (am writing this at 1:30 am, for example, having once again performed my "what IS this?" search) BUT the last few months I've gotten it twice while on a half-hour drive. Agony!
More interesting? I am not the only person in my family to complain about this. (Extended family who live in another house- so rules out environmental.)
I am pretty sure this didn't hit until maybe ten years ago. I recall the first time it happened. And I feel it has gotten worse (sensation the same but with greater frequency). It wakes you from sleep! Gah!
Hairbrush. Stairway edge. Spinning in circles on carpet on ball of foot. Tried them forever but to no avail. Always end up just "waiting it out". Also of note: itch is almost always on the pad of my foot where it's deeply calloused (am a runner) BUT sometimes I feel it's deep between the toes in the softer, hurts-to-scratch-it-too-roughly area... you know, just for variety. Sigh.
Doctors haven't an idea of what it is. Hellllp, fellow sufferers!!!!!
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
I've had this for 3 years now. It drives me insane and I actually feel like sawing my hands off! I've had a full blood check done and nothing shows up. Doc prescribes me an antihistamine and if I take one around 6pm it tends to keep it at bay, but if I miss one....
PS I also take anti depressants
My first time I got it was when I was 37 weeks pregnant they told me it was PUPP couldnt give me anything. I'm only 23 years old and healthy. Now after 7 months its back and its driving me crazy!!!! Nothing helps except freezing water. Im so tired of this
Avatar universal
ZYRTEC. Nothing else. ZYRTEC.
Helpful - 0
18667933 tn?1466788815
Have you found the solution to itching heel?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Does anyone else notice restless legs feeling with this?
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
YES!  I've been experiencing this for a few years now.  Unbearable!  My feet itch only at night also around 11 ish.  Then when I lay down my legs start to twitch...  so uncomfortable.  I am not nor is my husband a very big person, but we had to invest in a cal king just so I'd have more room to spread out!  I also occasionally get hives all over my shins and thighs, and on the insides of my arms.
My Dr. says it's all due to stress.  I guess I do have a bit of it in my life but generally not too much. He suggested I take Benadryl or Claritin.  I take Costco's Kirkland "AllerClear" once a day in the late afternoon, everyday.  Less expensive.  It does seem to work on the hives, and I do notice relief of the itchy feet, but not for the restless legs. A  friend suggested I swallow apple cider vinegar, about 1/2 oz every night before I retire.  THAT DOES seem to work for my restless legs!  Perhaps try these 'remedies'.  I do hope one or all of them help you.  It's terrible having to go through this!
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Dermatology Community

Top Dermatology Answerers
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Learn to identify and prevent bites from summer’s most common pests.
Doctors argue for legislation to curb this dangerous teen trend in the latest Missouri Medicine report.
10 ways to keep your skin healthy all winter long
How to get rid of lumpy fat on your arms, hips, thighs and bottom
Diet “do’s” and “don’ts” for healthy, radiant skin.
Images of rashes caused by common skin conditions