What should you know about severe foot itching?

Dry, cracked skin can occur with asteatotic eczema, while atopic dermatitis may cause recurring itch and inflamed dry patches. Contact dermatitis can follow exposure to footwear materials, adhesives, detergents, or creams. Scaling between the toes or moist irritation may fit a skin yeast infection. Psoriasis can produce thicker defined plaques, lichen planus may cause firm itchy areas, and scabies often causes intense itch with small bumps and spread among close contacts. Hives are raised, changeable itchy welts.

Wash gently, dry carefully between the toes, and use a plain moisturiser on dry intact skin. Wear breathable socks and change damp footwear. Stop any newly introduced foot product until the cause is clearer, and avoid scratching because broken skin can invite infection. A clinician can distinguish eczema from infection and select treatment; avoid applying steroid or antifungal products repeatedly without advice when the diagnosis is uncertain.

Seek prompt care for spreading redness, warmth, swelling, pus, fever, severe pain, or cracks that are not healing. People with diabetes, reduced circulation, or reduced sensation should arrange assessment early for new foot inflammation or wounds. Get urgent help for foot itching with facial swelling, breathing difficulty, faintness, or widespread rapidly developing welts.

Could footwear, a product, eczema, psoriasis, scabies, or infection explain the pattern? Is the skin barrier broken? Which product should I use, and where should it be avoided? Do close contacts or household items need attention?