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Itchy Bumps on Feet

The skin on our feet is under a great deal of pressure, as we spend a lot of time with our shoes on, with socks that are not always made from natural fabrics and we walk a lot. These are just few of the factors that make the skin on our feet susceptible to a wide range of medical problems, with itchiness being the main symptom. Just imagine the temperature our feet support while wearing socks and shoes. Plus, the weight of the entire body is supported by the feet and this is even more disturbing the more weight we gain.

Because of all this physical stress, the skin can become dry, irritated and cracked. These are common factors that can lead to the appearance of itchy bumps on feet but surely these are not the only ones. As a matter of fact, the skin is pretty vulnerable to different types of infections, including bacterial and viral. Moreover, the biggest tendency is to scratch these itchy bumps and even though this brings temporary relief, one will also notice that the matters are made worse. In fact, scratching will surely cause the itchy bumps to be infected with different types of bacteria.

Causes of Itchy bumps on feet

These are the main causes that lead to the appearance of itchy bumps on feet:

Insect bites

Mosquitoes, fleas, ticks and bed bugs can lead the appearance of red and itchy bumps on the skin.

Corns and calluses

As the skin becomes more thick and dry with the passing of time, itchiness can be one of the most upsetting symptoms and, as it was already mentioned, only scratching can bring temporary relief.

Scabies

Itchy bumps appear due to the infection with the Sarcoptes Scabiei mite. If you happen to be diagnosed with scabies, then you should be extra careful as this is a highly contagious disease and you could easily pass it on to others.

Warts

This is a viral infection and it will be accompanies by itchiness in some cases.

Molluscum contagiosum

This is also a viral infection and the bumps on the skin are really itchy.

Fungal infections

Athlete’s foot – even though this fungal infection is often presented as a widespread rash, it can also have red, inflamed blisters that can itch quite a lot. Avoid to scratch and open the blisters, as this will only cause further irritation and itchiness
Eczema – similar to athlete’s foot, this rash can be accompanied by itchy bumps on feet. It is caused by excessive sweating or low humidity
Dyshidrotic eczema – lesions appear on the tips or sides of toes and fingers, being accompanied by itchiness
Atopic dermatitis – itchy red bumps on the skin are seen especially in infants and small children
Contact dermatitis – itchy bumps on the skin appear after contact with harmful, irritating agents in ointments, creams, perfumes or other skin care products

Treatments for Itchy bumps on feet

The treatment depends on the underlying condition that has led the itchy red bumps to appear on the feet in the first place. These are the most common courses of treatment:

Calming lotions with menthol and camphor can be used in order to soothe the skin after insect bites. Washing the skin with anti-bacterial soap and refraining from scratching might help to avoid secondary bacterial infections
Laser therapy for the removal of corns and calluses
Treatment for scabies – Permethrin, Ivermectin and other topical medication
Warts – topical cream, liquid nitrogen and cryotherapy for wart removal
Anti-viral medication for molluscum contagiosum
Anti-fungal medication for fungal infections, including athlete’s foot. Topical medication, such as creams guarantee the best healing. However, proper hygiene should be maintained to avoid the fungus from returning to the site of infection. The medication will help not only with the itching and the inflammation
For eczema – topical skin creams are recommended in order to keep the skin moist and they also have the benefit they maintain a normal skin pH. Corticosteroids are recommended in more serious cases
Atopic dermatitis – topical creams can help but often times all it takes is to eliminate the irritating agent
Contact dermatitis – oral and topical corticosteroids are recommended and also the doctor might indicate menthol based lotions in order to soothe the skin

As you have seen for yourself, when it comes to treating itchy bumps on the feet, it is important to treat the underlying pathology first. The best way is to take the medication for the underlying condition and use topical treatments to deal with upsetting symptoms, itchiness included. There are many creams, ointments and gets available, some of them being recommended in case of inflammation, dry or cracked skin.