My feet are swollen and itchy: what should I know?

Swelling with itch may affect one foot or both. Look at the spaces between the toes, the soles, and the tops of the feet for scaling, blisters, redness, cracks, or a new product exposure.

Athlete's foot often causes itching, peeling, or cracking between the toes or along the sole. Contact dermatitis can follow footwear, detergent, adhesives, or creams and may make the exposed skin red and inflamed. Dyshidrotic eczema commonly produces intensely itchy small blisters on the sides of the feet or toes. These patterns can overlap, and swelling that is sudden or marked needs medical assessment.

Gently wash and dry the feet, especially between the toes. Use cool compresses for short periods, wear loose breathable footwear, and avoid scratching or applying several new products at once. Do not share towels or footwear if scaling suggests fungus. A clinician or pharmacist can help choose an appropriate treatment; topical antifungal therapy is used when a fungal cause is suspected.

Seek urgent care for rapidly increasing swelling, severe pain, warmth spreading up the leg, fever, pus, red streaks, breathing difficulty, or swelling of the lips or face. Arrange a dermatology review when symptoms persist, recur, involve broken skin, or do not improve after removing a suspected irritant.

Could this be fungal infection, eczema, or contact dermatitis? Which features should I photograph or monitor? Is a topical treatment suitable for my skin, and what should I avoid while the skin is swollen?