What should you know about extreme itching hands and feet?

Frequent handwashing, sanitiser, cleaning chemicals, gloves, and dry air can damage the skin barrier and trigger contact dermatitis or asteatotic eczema. Atopic dermatitis may cause dry, inflamed, cracked patches. Tiny blisters on the sides of fingers, palms, or soles can occur with dyshidrotic eczema. Hives are raised areas that may shift or fade, while psoriasis can produce thicker, scaly plaques. A skin yeast infection is more likely where moisture collects, and scabies may involve the finger webs with itch elsewhere. Hands and feet itching together is not enough to name a diagnosis.

Use lukewarm water and a fragrance-free cleanser, then pat dry rather than rubbing. Apply a plain moisturiser after washing, including around the nails and between toes, while keeping toe webs from staying damp. Wear protective gloves for wet or chemical tasks, with breathable layers underneath, and remove rings before washing. Avoid new creams or harsh exfoliants until the cause is clearer. Do not scratch blisters or peel scale; broken skin can become painful and infected.

Arrange a dermatology or primary-care review if symptoms persist, recur, spread, or interfere with sleep, work, or walking. Seek prompt care for deep cracks, pus, increasing warmth, marked swelling, severe pain, fever, or rapidly spreading redness. Emergency help is needed for trouble breathing or swelling of the face, lips, or tongue.

Ask which exposures to avoid, whether the hands and feet show eczema or infection, whether testing is needed, how to moisturise cracked skin, and what change would mean the treatment should be reviewed.