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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!
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.
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.
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!!!!!
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!!!!!
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
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
Does anyone else notice restless legs feeling with this?
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!
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!
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