Extreme itching on feet and hands with no relief when scratched

Posted by whitlynn822 @whitlynn822, Aug 26, 2025

I have no idea what is causing this insanely persistent itching on both feet (toes and tops) and my hands (mostly fingers and palms). I thought athletes foot at first- did all of the treatments for it even though there isn’t anything visibly on either my feet nor hands. Obviously not athletes foot. Went to emergency room and was given Zyrtec and an antibiotic two weeks ago. I get some, but very little and short term relief after taking the Zyrtec. Again nothing is visible on skin when the itching starts- once I scratch I can’t stop/ this causes redness and bumps. The itching is so bad I’ve caused myself to bleed. It truly feels like it’s coming from the inside of my body or something- not just surface level. No new soaps, metrications, etc. Please help - it’s driving me crazy and I can’t deal with the non stop extreme itching much longer. I’m miserable. Also hot water or heat make it burn and itch worse. Plus I have had excessive sweating this year, unexplained weight gain and had psoriasis for first time on scalp last winter. I’ve washed with a tea tree oil medicated wash and works will applied but not once I rinse off. The itchy spots do sometimes turn hard and dry.

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I also get itching on the feet and the hands only. It is red but under the skin. Not blisters or welts. It never completely goes away but most of the time it does not itch and then all of a sudden breaks out for awhile and is very itchy. It started when I was about 50 and continues now that I am 65. I have had multiple allergy testing, seen a doctor and a dermatologist and no one can figure out what it is. Any suggestions is appreciated.

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I have skin itchiness on scalp, lower leg, forearm, cheek for a year and sympton of hive, red skin n inflamation appears, later
Doctors dispense steriod cream and medicine, antibiotic which work well.
Instead, i decide to RnD on the root cause., myself.
The root cause of my itchiness is SUGAR.
You can practise this w/o harm or expenses
1) avoid all direct sugar in
tea, coffee, drink, sweet fruit and juice,
2) avoid bread, sweet condiment, sweet cake, biscuit, etc
3) take warm water to relive itchiness

Of course , lotion,creAm are helpful
Cheer

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My feet have been itching me so severely no matter what I do it puts me in tears no matter how much I scratch them it just keeps itching almost like I got stung by 100 little bees on my feet especially the bottom and u just want to scratch and scratch and it feels so good while you are scratching but it starts right back up but while I am scratching it it feels so good nothing like it in the world as soon as I stop it starts again I have used Vaseline lotion clod water soaks it all helps a little bit it starts right back up and about 60 percent of the time they swee a little as well

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Profile picture for winnjammer @winnjammer

My feet have been itching me so severely no matter what I do it puts me in tears no matter how much I scratch them it just keeps itching almost like I got stung by 100 little bees on my feet especially the bottom and u just want to scratch and scratch and it feels so good while you are scratching but it starts right back up but while I am scratching it it feels so good nothing like it in the world as soon as I stop it starts again I have used Vaseline lotion clod water soaks it all helps a little bit it starts right back up and about 60 percent of the time they swee a little as well

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Hello @winnjammer, Welcome to Connect. You will notice that we merged your post with an existing discussion on the same topic so that you could meet other members and learn what they have shared helps them with the severe itching. If you click the link below it will take you to the beginning of the discussion.
-- Extreme itching on feet and hands with no relief when scratched
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/extreme-itching-on-feet-and-hands-with-no-relief-when-scratched/
I have had severe itching in other areas but not the feet. One thing that has helped me was over the counter Coritzone 10 cream. Have you talked to your doctor about the severe itching?

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I know what that unbearable itch feels like. I tried anti-histamines, was given steroids to help with symptoms but was never told why. After months of research I came across a liquid probiotic and my hives and itching were gone after only 3 days! I figured out that I had leaky gut and an overgrowth of candida throughout my body. It changed my life finding this and I wanted to buy everyone I knew this product. My stomach didn’t hang over when I sat down, but looked like I had done sit ups. I didn’t wake up groggy and I felt lighter. Alongside this i took -2 tbl of golden flaxseed, ground, stir into apple juice and drink before it gets thick, at least 5 times a week. Choose a reputable probiotic. It matters what is in the bottle, not just what the label says. Dr Hagmeyer -Candida Forte, Garden of life, Seed, and Perfect origins was the original brand that changed my life, but repeat orders were not always consistent with different batches. There is a correlation to histamines and the gut.

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Profile picture for deniseheart @deniseheart

I suffer from medication allergies (histamine reactions) and I experience severe itching on palms, lower arms and feet nearly every day at around 8 PM. There are sometimes red dots but most times no rash. I keep it under control with a large dose of antihistamine and if uncontrollable, a very small does of prednisone. This is what has worked for me. Speak to your doctor about your situation and severity. I need to note that my allergies are for drugs that keep me alive so for me this is a situation that I must deal with.

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@deniseheart Try golden flaxseed seed-grind 2 Tbl in coffee grinder, stir into apple juice, or other beverage and drink it quick before it gets thicker and harder to swallow. It tastes like the apple juice, it’s just the texture can thicken quickly. Do this 4-5 days a week for at least a month, it takes a little time to get into your system but it works and is good for other issues. Drink plenty of water since it contains a lot of fiber.

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Profile picture for ease @ease

@deniseheart Try golden flaxseed seed-grind 2 Tbl in coffee grinder, stir into apple juice, or other beverage and drink it quick before it gets thicker and harder to swallow. It tastes like the apple juice, it’s just the texture can thicken quickly. Do this 4-5 days a week for at least a month, it takes a little time to get into your system but it works and is good for other issues. Drink plenty of water since it contains a lot of fiber.

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@ease thank you for your suggestion. I really appreciate it.

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