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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 have the same problem on the palms and heels.
Long story short…I am going to see a gastroenterologist (GI doctor) I have read that the itching condition could be due to a blocked bile duct. I have been diagnosed with gall cysts on an mri that was done for another condition.
Anyway I have found that a warm white vinegar soak does greatly ease the symptoms
Long story short…I am going to see a gastroenterologist (GI doctor) I have read that the itching condition could be due to a blocked bile duct. I have been diagnosed with gall cysts on an mri that was done for another condition.
Anyway I have found that a warm white vinegar soak does greatly ease the symptoms
I have the same itch! Feet and hands every night! I don't know exactly what it is but I was told my my psychiatrist that he thinks it might be an allergic reaction to pill coatings. Not the medications themselves but what they are coated in. He said it is nearly impossible to tell but like you ice helps, I also use jet gems ultra healing lotion and some numbing lotion I got from a doctor for scar treatment. It helps but it's no cure. I'd like to talk about this more and keep in touch if you're willing to email or message back and forth on Facebook...? I have never met anyone with this issue and even tho it ***** it's kinda nice to not feel so freaking alone now! I thought I was going insane or something lol. I also have another theory just myself for this issue but it's purely speculation... I think it could also be related to my sensory prosesding disorder. And a lot of people go undiagnosed with spd. It's a nerve disorder. And all the nerve endings are in the hands and feet. And because people with spd tend to suppress the symptoms nearly all day, by the end of the day when I'm all settled in bed and relaxed (whether stressed or not) I feel like my nerves get the chance to kind of just "explode" or just fire away in other words. So the itching feeling is a result from my nerves going nuts from my suppressing my spd sumptoms all day and they are just letting loose. Kinda like if you wear a ponytail all day and then when you let your hair down it kinda hurts and it sore for a while then your scalp calms down after a bit. Hopefully this has helped you in maybe finding a reason as to why this is happening to you.
I have the exact same problem, only at night, the itch is unreachable. no visible rashes at all. No doctor can figure it out. I have been suffering with this for the past 9 years. has anyone found any solutions? so frustrating.
I too have this issue I am in colorado. Mine happens a few time a year. Currently happing for night too. The itch is so bad and deep it doesn't stop. I did take some children's benadryl yesterday and that kept e itch was during the day. My hands hurt so bad from itchy I wale up on the middle of sleeping to me itchy. I am afraid I will itchy my hands til they bleed at night.
This time I noticed welts or hives all over both legs and feet and they all itched as well that is why I took the children's Benadryl
I Also noticed when I woke up itching that putting my hands directly on my skin helped stop the itch for a while.
I need to know why it happens and how to prevent it.
This time I noticed welts or hives all over both legs and feet and they all itched as well that is why I took the children's Benadryl
I Also noticed when I woke up itching that putting my hands directly on my skin helped stop the itch for a while.
I need to know why it happens and how to prevent it.
I realize this post is many years old, but still, I am wondering if you have ever found a solution. I have been dealing with this exact same issue for the past 6 years. It started when I was 32. Pregnancy had not effect and I do not believe it is hormonal. I have my own theories about what is causing this and would like to explore this with someone else who is experiencing this.
Hi. I am facing an exactly similar problem as described in here! I am in Mumbai India. Have been fit and healthy. Follow very good hygiene. I bathe at least twice a day. So I am ruling out infection. No known allergy of any sort so far to any food/medicine/etc. Am not being treated for anything, nothing at all.
I went to my good ol' doc - a local general physician- after I got some red rash on my neck. My arm pits also had become itchy. This was about a month ago . I had applied a medicated powder called Nycil. It was a gulabjal variant of it, red in colour. It had cooling crystals in it so when one applies you feel a dash of 'coolness'. I thought I got an allergic reaction to this powder. Now, Nycil I have been using for donkey's years but never this particular variant of the powder. The doctor heard me out. He said " Nycil will never cause this problem as far as I know. First things first, I have observed your skin. It looks like a fungal infection. Take this presription. Apply this brand Z***n ( an antifungal, anti bacterial dusting powder) Clotrimazole powder, twice a day."
I said " But Sir, I am surprised at the amount itching I get. It is also in my pubic region. Besides I have been using a medicated soap of a famous brand - Detto*"
Doc : "Son, be patient. Show it to me again if it persists. ALso shave off all this hair on your body. That can also cause these things. Stop using that soap; it can be very strong on your skin. Using something more delicate"
I have done as he said. Upon shaving the hair off, I observed some "spots" of fungal infection. Darkish spots.
After applying that powder the itching on other regions has subsided.
However, for past week I am facing itching as described here by SFKelvin. Exactly that.
I guess I have to see a dermatologist and not a General Physician. If anyone can recommend a good one, I would much appreciate that.
I live in the western suburbs.
Thanks
Regards
I went to my good ol' doc - a local general physician- after I got some red rash on my neck. My arm pits also had become itchy. This was about a month ago . I had applied a medicated powder called Nycil. It was a gulabjal variant of it, red in colour. It had cooling crystals in it so when one applies you feel a dash of 'coolness'. I thought I got an allergic reaction to this powder. Now, Nycil I have been using for donkey's years but never this particular variant of the powder. The doctor heard me out. He said " Nycil will never cause this problem as far as I know. First things first, I have observed your skin. It looks like a fungal infection. Take this presription. Apply this brand Z***n ( an antifungal, anti bacterial dusting powder) Clotrimazole powder, twice a day."
I said " But Sir, I am surprised at the amount itching I get. It is also in my pubic region. Besides I have been using a medicated soap of a famous brand - Detto*"
Doc : "Son, be patient. Show it to me again if it persists. ALso shave off all this hair on your body. That can also cause these things. Stop using that soap; it can be very strong on your skin. Using something more delicate"
I have done as he said. Upon shaving the hair off, I observed some "spots" of fungal infection. Darkish spots.
After applying that powder the itching on other regions has subsided.
However, for past week I am facing itching as described here by SFKelvin. Exactly that.
I guess I have to see a dermatologist and not a General Physician. If anyone can recommend a good one, I would much appreciate that.
I live in the western suburbs.
Thanks
Regards
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