Intense sporadic itch! Normal?

[irishgirl77]

The bottom of my feet gets extremely itchy once or twice a month where the only way to alleviate the itch is to dig my feet into a carpet.I do not have any kind of foot fungus or allergy to foods. I've tried to track it and it usually is a week or so before my period or after (often accompanied by hives on my hands).  Is there something specific that is causing this? I am already taking antihistamines to try to control the hives at other times and I did recently find that my ft4 is low with regards to my thyroid.

[irishgirl77]

Thank you very much for the information and your help.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to hives or thyroid disorder as thyroid diseases are often accompanied by itchy skin. It can also cause parasthesia which some people interpret as itching sensation inside the skin. Regarding the hives before periods. Ovulation and menstrual cycle are two such phenomenon which is associated with rapid hormone changes every month.

To stimulate ovulation, progesterone levels increase while estrogen levels decrease.These hormonal changes cause the body a great deal of stress and stress is one of the important factors thought to be causing hives.although urticaria usually is idiopathic,but stress is an important causative factor. Regular medications with antihistaminics and steroids during hives flare up has shown that in approximately 75% of patients, chronic hives are found to gradually or spontaneously diminish within 6-8 months. In 90-95% of cases, the symptoms disappear within 2 years.

So please consult a dermatologist and get prescribed antihistaminics. Also start the treatment of thyroid disease. I hope it helps. Take care and regards.