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Itchy, red, swollen foot.feet

In April during a 5 hour car trip my feet became very itchy- it itched them and they became red and swollen in areas. The whole foot was not swollen: but certain parts became itchy and red- under toes, sides of feet, a little on top- no ankle swelling or redness.  These itchy red areas become hard and painful to walk, the outbreaks last about 24-48 hours.  The first time this to both feet and I passed it off to wearing new and cheap high heals for over 13 hours the day before (I teach).  That day I also had some trouble with a family member who was staying with me- so I felt stress may have been a contributor?

However, about 3 weeks later this happened again… and I went off to the doctor’s.  The swelling doesn’t occur in the same area each “outbreak”- however the onset is always the same, itchy, red, turns hard, becomes painful- sometimes in one foot, other times in both.  My family doctor looked at my like I was crazy for being concerned; I am a healthy 24 year old.  However, this has happened since April 4 more times.  It has happened right (one-two days) before menstrual cycle in May, June and now July- I am not pregnant.  

I have seen a podiatrist- who took xrays and did blood work (I know the blood work was for lupus and arthritic counts but not sure the scope of the tests).  He concluded my foot is mis-shaped and molded orthotics for me.  However, this has happened two more times- I am trying to understand what is triggering this as nothing relieves the swelling, itchiness or pain.  

As I have tracked these episodes they don’t seem to happen with any certainty- meaning I have tracked my physical activity (I workout a lot), bought and wear 4X Width cross trainer shoes- even to work, and the only pattern that exists with these outbreaks is many of them are occurring right before I begin my period.  Could this be a part of PMS? They checked my blood pressure at the doctors all times I have been there- the only other thing I can think of is a circulation problem- sometimes the pain travels up to my calves (feels very sore like the day after a hard workout).  But at this point I feel like I am guessing with no guidance?
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Avatar universal
I am 25 and my feet has been itching since  a week.besides itching,its swelling,becomes red,turning hard and painful to walk. And I am pregnant...
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I am a 70 yr. old female.  I have had these symptoms for several months now. The itching is so bad I wanted to use a wire brush to scratch.  I didn't do that.  I have found some things that help but don't cure it.  I have applied cold packs, which at least reduced the itching somewhat. I found elevating my feet higher than my hips can help with the swelling a little, and so can alternating hot and cold foot baths, which gets the circulation going.  I start and end with cold, changing the water about 5 times.  If you only have the problem when it is cold and your hands and/or feet get almost purple and cold you should ask your M.D. to check you for Reynauds Syndrome.  

To find out if it is an allergy:  keep a journal of everything you eat, drink, wear, or come into contact with such as cosmetics, cleaning supplies, personal care products.  Shoes often are glued together inside.  Dyes in food, clothing, household goods such as carpeting, furniture and draperies, and personal care and cosmetics can cause allergies.  Chemicals in the air around us and our workplace and home environments can affect is.  Air spray, hairspray and scents of all kinds can be the culprit.  

I am so allergic to strawberries that I cannot be treated for it because I react at parts per billion in the air and treatments start somewhere in the parts per million.  It is difficult to find out but if you do this and follow through it can pay off.  

You need to keep track like this:  Date. Time. Showered with.  Applied products. Wore the following clothes. Ate. Drank. Went to.  Traveled by.  Spoke with person, or passed fruit stand, flower shop and smelled whatever, touched something,  At time began to itch, redness began at time.  Those hard spots are called hives, by the way.  Hives began at time.

If your records are are very thorough it may help your M.D. find a diagnosis.  We can develope allergies at any age and they can suddenly become very severe to the point of being life threatening.

So far I have ruled out dry skin and various soaps and celiac disease.

I have also found that a cream with a topical anesthetic can be helpful such as aspercreme as long as you aren't allergic to. aspirin.  I have also tried lamosil which is an antifungal and it also helped with the itching a bit.  So far nothing has relieved it completely not even absorbine jr., which does help to get the circulation going, so as to help with the swelling, cools the area and minimizes the itch.

I have not been to the doctor yet but plan to schedule an appointment.  It seems one of my medications can also cause intense itching.  So far both feet, ankles, knees, thighs, buttocks, hands, wrists, forearms, and biceps have been affected.  Good luck to you all.  At least now I know I'm not crazy and no longer feel so alone.

Iam 30 and this keeps happening to me...mainly on the inside of my left foot and it swells and hurts all round the back of the heel..it kills to stand or walk on properly so i tiptoe on the left..its like my skin is too small for my foot wen this happens..it has happened in the right foot also and only starts with an itching sensation...it is really annoying as i need my left foot to operate the clutch in my car to take my son to school
..i too am also 21 wks pregnant... this is not my 1st pregnancy and i have never experienced this during any of my other pregnancies so its  baffling.iam not diabetic...but iam enemic...i will be speaking to my midwife to see what she suggests and i will let u no wat she says...i hope we all get the answers we are so desperately searching for.
Avatar universal
I have this same thing happen to me!!! I am 17 and i have been to three doctors and they look at me like i am crazy. It hasnt happened for a few months however i also have gotten that swollen hard bump on my hands. It feels as though there is a rock under your skin. I was at school when i first felt it on the bottom of my feet and i could barely walk it was so bizarre. I would love to know more but everywhere i search i havent found anything! Which is why i am excited at least someone else has experienced this.
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Avatar universal
I have this same condition. I have had it for about 13 years. I was diagnosed with delayed pressure urticaria which are pressure hives. It is an auto-immune disease. Please look up info on it. It lasts for many years and unfortunately besides anti-histamines there is really nothing you can do for it. Go to a dermatologist.
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Avatar universal
Hi. I have Celiac Disease and have been 100% gluten free for 15 years.  I am 46.  I started having these same symptoms on feet, hands, and occasionally mouth after birth of my fourth child.  It was severe at first. Seemed a very inflammatory response. That child is now 6.  And I've had episodes over the years, but recently after a severe illness I started having the symptoms frequently. Incredibly debilitating and distracting.  The only things that have worked are  anti-histamine like Benadryl and anti-inflammatories like steroids. However due to my most recent illness I can't tolerate the steroids they are affecting my electrolytes calcium potassium etc.  and taking Benadryl is an emergency only for me. I take Tumeric daily which is an anti-inflammatory I also take wobezyme. I'm really thinking  this is the angioedema.  I have other severe allergies including hives etc. and this is remarkably like hives but not hives you all described it perfectly the hard swollen places all of it I was amazed with your descriptive capabilities.  when I treat it like a severe allergic reaction I get some relief and a little bit of time normally it goes away but then it reoccurs later right now it's reoccurring on a daily basis and sometimes I actually have hives as well somewhere else on the body so my feet and my hands will swell certain parts of the foot or hand ...but when I woke up with this the other night I also had hives along my rib cage. I'm very thankful for all your descriptions, relieved that I'm not alone, but sorry as this is miserable!
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Avatar universal
Same here, i've been experiencing it may be 2-3years already, it just suddenly came out then after the next day or 2days is gone. Sometimes on my feet or hands.  I was also thinking maybe because I'm allergic to wheat. This this time i'm scared coz I been diagnosed with gallstones in my gallbladder. I'm scarred also is anything wrong on my kidney or liver. But I had laboratory tests last 2 years and last year. Test we're fine except for my gallbladder stones which my GP advised to me to go to a surgery but I haven't decided yet. Then was also diagnosed with Thallassemia.  Then I always have discomfort pain on my right upper quadrant sometimes below.
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Avatar universal
I have been expecting similar symptoms sporadically. At first I dismissed it as the heater (cause it was winter), then dismissed it as atheletes foot since I was in Bali and it occurred after I accidentally showered without my shoes on. More recently I went on a 21 day detox where I removed inflammatory foods (dairy, sugar, gluten, eggs, soy, pasta, and peanuts). I only started reintroducing them into my diet to see how my body would react. Gluten and soy haven't been too much of a shock to the body however I'm still cautious of how much I'm eating. Today I decided to try ice cream - my feet immediately felt a little itchy while walking. As we speak I have woken up in the middle of the night due to the itchiness in my feet. It doesn't seem to be the whole foot, just a bit around my soles. They're red and itchy, if I stretch my toes backwards to stretch the skin or press it in, it clears into white blotchy areas. I'm expecting it to harden over the next day or so before building another layer of skin in the next week or so.  I've also noticed tiny little bumps on my face that makes my skin feel a little scaly too. I found two suggestions that it may be a pre-diabetic symptom or allergic contact dermatitis. As there is no pus like symptoms I have narrowed in on allergic contact dermatitis.

I have temporarily put some coconut oil on it (as this is all I have at the moment).

I can only assume it is a reaction to dairy or sugar. It's not the first time I've had dairy though I'm a little weary of it.

Some general relief
http://m.wikihow.com/Clear-Skin-of-an-Allergic-Reaction

Wikihow defines it as:  - Skin reactions are known as “contact dermatitis” for true allergies or “irritant contact dermatitis” for non-allergic reactions. Most of these reactions are responses to a common irritant and are not serious. Symptoms include flat red dots, raised red bumps, scaly areas, blisters, and a burning or itching sensation in the skin.[1] If you experience these symptoms chronically, however, it is more likely that they are eczema or atopic dermatitis. If you sporadically experience the symptoms or they seem to happen in response to a specific allergen, it is more likely that you are suffering from contact dermatitis.
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1 Comments
Further digging suggests it could be "balsam of Peru" and as many foods contain such these days and is a common cause of the contact dermatitis.


Avatar universal
When I rear your comment felt like me talking. Can you please tell me if you found out more about your condition ? it's driving me crazy. Thank you
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Avatar universal
I have started having an issue with this also.  First pinky on my hand swelled up and was itchy and red then the tip of the finger on the other hand so we ruled out bug bite. Burn spray helped alot and was gone the next day however the next day my big toe became swollen itchy and red.  I put tenactin powder on which is really helping.  No changes in anything ive been doing accept ive had very tight and painful arms for about a month and just found pain patches that seem to help.  My husband thinks its a reaction to the absorbine jr plus patch and its toxins trying to get out of my body.  I dont know what to think.  Anyone else using anything similar or am I just grasping at straws?

any help is appreciated
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Avatar universal
do you ever got this after you have had a cold or sore throat? mine is always after I have been not well, like my defences are low anyways and then I get the itchy hands and feet, sometimes on the buttock and sometimes on the writsts....hot swellings from UNDER the skin, horrible! and no doctors can tell me why!
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Avatar universal
I am a 45 yo woman and have had the exact same thing happening on my feet every winter for the last three or so years. Nothing seems to help relieve the itching, pain and swelling! The doctor thought it was gout when Iw ent in a couple of years ago but blood work came back fine. Just now found something that sounds and looks ALOT like what I've had going on...thought I would share the link. Something called Chilblains...happens in the winter for me, never in the summer time. I think this may be it for me. Hope it helps someone else too.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chilblains/basics/treatment/con-20033727
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Avatar universal
Do you still have the website address where you found these remedies (honey and the detox)?
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Avatar universal
I don't know if anyone is checking back here but, as promised, I'm reporting back - the prescribed meds didn't work. I then tried alcohol to swab the foot, foot baths (cinnamon, listerine, salts, vinegar), all of these things were done half-heartedly. Then I happened upon a website that said to try applying honey to the itchy area, honey is known for its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, healing properties. I tried it for about 30minutes and it worked but there was some mild itching afterwards so I applied it again over my entire feet 1 day later and put socks on and went to bed. That worked. The same site advised getting a clean-out (detox)...so going to do that tomorrow. Do not want to go thru this again. Hope this helps someone.
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1 Comments
It really does help. I'm having the same problem now. My situation sounds almost identical to yours. My problem started after wearing some leather shoes, I haven't worn in awhile to work where I'm on my feet a lot. I'm going to get some blood work done and have my liver checked out. Not to be gross, but I wonder does anyone notice a lighter colored stool. I had a lighter, almost yellowish color the other day and I haven't gone for a couple days. Maybe we could have a bowel obstruction? This might explain why wheat gluten and menstruation seem to have an effect on it from the comments here. Not sure about the connection with the shoes, though. I have been using an essential oil and coconut oil concoction as a moisturizer, but I use that all over my body and for my hair. Just brainstorming at this point. Thanks so much to everyone posting! Please keep us updated!
Avatar universal
This is in response to ChiAlex and Dr_Aparna. Recently I started wearing new flats to commute to work, and I change them out for my normal footwear while at work. They are leather, and while walking I felt the numbness begin along the outer sides of my feet and little toe. About two days later I got a terrible itch on the little toe and ankle of my right foot. I thought it was a flea bite. However, I could see no sign of redness/rash or anything...just an itch. It spread along the outer side of the foot. Then within hours I got the same symptoms on the same areas of my left foot, then on both feet along the inner sides. I thought it was coincidence but on the morning of the 2nd day (today), I saw some redness in circles on the inner side of one foot, on two baby toes, and the outer sides had circular pads that felt hard to touch and slight pain when pressure was applied. The red areas got swollen when I scratched it. Still no breaks in the skin. When the itch subsided, I got a slight burning sensation. I visited the doctor this afternoon and she said what Dr Aparna said it might be: an allergic reaction to the material of the shoes (ruling out me stepping into dirty water/pools or walking around bare-feet) that manifested as an under-the-skin fungal infection. She prescribed Nizoral pills and allegra. I took the pills about 4 hours ago and I got some relief from the itching (which comes and goes). I'm also using a topical hydrocortisone which provides little or no relief. My doctor didn't want to prescribe a topical fungal application because she said the infection is under the skin (not like the circular fungus we all come to know and hate). Anyway - it is a 10-day treatment. Will let you all know if it goes away within 10 days. @ChiAlex - my period came today - exactly two days after the first signs of this annoyance. I hope this is not a PMS from hell :( .
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Avatar universal
Hi, I'm a 53 year old male and it is driving me crazy. It started a couple of weeks ago. During the night I started to get this itch on the ball of my left foot, the itch just got intense as the night progressed. When I finally was able to get an hour sleep I woke up to a swollen, achy itchy foot, very tender to the touch and hard my first thought was that I had been bitten by a spider, but I couldn't  find any signs of a bite, it  hurt !!!! within 48 hrs. was gone. It comes to a peak and then starts to get better. The 4th of July started again, this time my right foot started first fallowed by the left  but on top. I was outside and wearing flip flops (I never wear flip flops) so I thought they were mosquito bites and again I couldn't see any bites. The itch just intensified and started to swollen up, changed my flip flops for sneakers, thought it was an allergic reaction to the flip flops since the itch started  between my toes and along the flip flops materials on both feet , I had a miserable night  and almost call in sick to work. Again swollen, itchy, hard and tender to the touch. And then  again last night the heal on my left and the right edge on my right foot. couldn't sleep to say the least .

   have been trying to find a common denominator but so far can't come up with nothing. I've tried half a dozen itch relief gels to no avail . Benedryl seems to relief it a bit, but I hate the side effect, can't function. Just glad I'm not the only one  with this symptoms. Just hope it doesn't have nothing to do with Gluten, I don't like restrictions on my food. Anyway thanks to everyone who has shared and if I come across something that works against it I WILL SHARE IT.        


            
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Avatar universal
I had this twice and turned out to be cellulitis. Happened almost over night. Itchy, blood-red, swollen, hot to touch. Very painful.
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Avatar universal
Hi,
Red, itchy and stiff skin with burning sensation! I have also this symptoms. However the symptoms happen on different places!  my feet, face, back and even on my penis shaft. I had this symptoms normally one time per six months and I do not know what should I do. i have been in different doctors and no response yet.
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Avatar universal
first time tonight my toes have really freaked out-- any updates on what's going on with your toe issue?  it is only my toes-- all of them-- the rest of my feet seem to be doing ok-- toes are inflamed, red, and wicked itchy!!!!!!!!  it is incapacitating-- only thing I can think of is that I am having an allergic reaction to the lotion I put on earlier today-- because my feet were so dry-- then in winter boots, nylon socks-- my feet got sweaty--30 minutes ago I was invests itchy agony and now I feel it calming down-- I took an antihistamine and rubbed a strong hydrocortisone ointment on them.  still itchy but not as red, swollen or insanely itchy.  so what gives???  did you ever find out what yours is?  take care--
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Avatar universal
I have had this exact same problem for a decade now.  I find being on my feet alot triggers it.  The doctors don't know what it is but I did get a Cortisone injection in the area that was hard and inflammed and that stopped the issue for 6 months.  Has anybody worked out what this problem actually is?
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Avatar universal
I have such weird skin on my feet more like pads, animal paws! :-( they feel hot and irritated inside/under my skin but I can't stop the itching as the skin is so thick I can't feel it when I scratch it!

I feel like I want to take the skin off my feet sometimes! Right now they are burning hot and my toe joints are very swollen and I hate it! Why are they like this???

Happy Christmas Eve! :-)
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Avatar universal
I have the same symptoms. I am a 36 yr old male. It started as few months ago when i noticed a numbing feeling in my feet. It felt like a sock was rolled up or something was in my shoe and it felt weird to walk on. This happened periodical for a few weeks and would sometimes be in one foot or the other or happen in both at the same time. Then I started getting this crazy intense itch in my feet, it can be around the toes, on top and on bottom, and along the edge and heal of my foot and then it would get hard. It felt like i had hard lumps in my feet which makes it difficult to walk. Also usually my big toe swells up too. This too comes and goes but last night something else happened. I got a triple whammy. I had the problems with my feet, and my hands got a bit swollen and my ring finger and right index finger itched and swelled up and got hard to. It was like what was happening to my feet was also happening to my hands. On top of that I got an itchy rash on my left bicep that blistered up and looked a bit like a burn and was really itchy too, then a couple of hours later i got a matching rash on my other bicep. This morning the symptoms have subsided. My hands still feel a bit swollen, but red and itchiness have diminished. The rashes on my biceps are now a faint reddening  and do not itch either. And the symptoms in my feet have diminished although they still don't feel quite fight when i walk. I too am not sure what is going on. I recently went to the Dr and had some blood work done all they came back with is that my cholesterol is a little bit high and my blood pressure is a little bit high. Something else is not right here?
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Avatar universal
I have angioedima and it is very painful. I never know when it will occur or where: mouth, eyes, feet, hands.  I am on blood pressure meds plus was taking an aspirin a day. Once the doctor took my off the aspirin I have had less episodes of angioedima. I can tell when it is starting and now take an Allegra as soon as I start to itch. It helps and I usually won't swell much. However it does not help my feet and I have to ride out the pain for 24-48 hours. It always starts with itching on the top of my foot and later is followed by red, swollen lump. Sometimes on my heal or ball of foot or between toes. I have noticed that I can no longer go without shoes even indoors. I try to wear a shoe with some support. It seems to help some.
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Avatar universal
I have all of the same happening to me...first my finger inches then after i itch it swells....my toes are the worst. After itching my toes the get inflamed!!! Swollen and red and hurt!
I thought it was scabies and have gone through 3 treatments of pymethrin...i thought it was over because i felt good for the past month. But last night it started happening again :-(
My toes burn itch and are very swollen..
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Avatar universal
I have identical symptoms and mine have been re-occurring for many years. Right now foot (1) has been red, itchy, and first two toes swollen, also hot to the touch only on the bottom of foot. Drs. seen to think no problem and prescribes NSAID's and they do work, but only if I take at least 800 mil. at each dosage(usually a 800 motrin) twice a day. Has been the only relief, but pain and other symptoms always come back, sometimes months later,but always it does re-occur. Try the 800 motrin 2x per day. But if you find other relief please let me know.
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Avatar universal
I believe your diagnosis may be correct.  I have been suffering with this problem for the past 4 months.  Started out on Nov 28, 2011 with a trip to ER as I awoke at 6 am with a swollen tongue.  Treated with steriods & benadryl and sent home.  One week later returned to ER with swollen tongue, twisted face and inability to speak.  Swelling in hands & feet.  Admitted to hospital for 9 days.  Treated with sterioids, benadryl and a whole lot of other drugs.  Released from hospital Dec. 14 at 4:30 p.m.  By 7:30 pm experiencing intense itching in both feet.  Walking was very difficult.  My feet became very hard and felt like I had pads on them.  Hands itching and extremely swollen as well.  Took Benadryl went to bed.  3:30 a.m. same thing.  Took Bendaryl & went back to bed.  Then 7:30 a.m. called an ambulance.  Treated in ER with heavier dosages of steriods & Benadryl and they added another drug that started with an "A."  Released and went home.  Saw immunologist on December 16 who took lots of blood and sent it for test.  Returned to immunologist on Dec 19 who diagosned Chronic Hives Angio Edema.  On Dec 23 woke up with swollen tongue.  Took Benadryl and went to work.  Taken to hospital via ambulance a few hours later and admitted again to hospital.  More steriods, benadryl.  Saw immunologist on Jan 2.  Prescibed Allegra, Zyrtec and Singular daily and told to use Benadryl if swelling and/or itching returned.  As I write this I am experiencing the itching, pain & swelling in my feet and the feeling that I have pads on them.  Took Singular & Zytrec last night and it has helped but not eliminated the symptons.  I really thought I was the only one to experience this pain & itch in my feet & hands like this.  By the way, they tested me for Celiace but tests were all negative.
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