When your feet itch, it can be extremely uncomfortable and frustrating. If you’re like most people, your feet start itching at the worst possible times, like when you’re driving or in a meeting. In those cases, you can’t exactly put the rest of the world on hold, take off your shoes, and scratch them, can you?
If your feet start itching while you’re trying to sleep, that can be particularly disruptive. Itching may not be quite as noticeable during the day while you’re active and your mind is on other matters. Once you finally settle into bed, get comfortable, and start drifting off to sleep, though, that’s a completely different story. Fortunately, you don’t have to suffer through itchy feet at night without any relief.
What Causes My Feet to Itch at Night?
Several things can cause your feet to itch at night. One of the most common is dry skin, which can cause tightness, flaking, and certainly itchiness. Your skin naturally loses moisture throughout the day, so by the time bedtime rolls around, it’s probably at its driest point. On top of that, once you get into bed and your body relaxes, the itching is bound to get more noticeable. If dry skin is the cause of your itchy feet, putting on plenty of moisturizer before bed and sleeping with socks on to help your feet absorb it can make a significant difference.
Eczema and Psoriasis
Sometimes, flaking and itching come from more than just dry skin. Eczema and psoriasis are common skin conditions that can cause it. They can affect virtually any part of the body, including the feet. They also tend to flare up at night, especially due to temperature changes, stress, and other factors. Your doctor can prescribe medications like topical steroids or immunosuppressants to treat these conditions.
Athletes Foot
Athletes foot is another common cause of itchy feet. This fungal infection tends to thrive in warm, damp environments. Your feet can pick up the infection in showers, locker rooms, pools, and other areas that stay damp. When you wear tight or non-breathable shoes, that gives it an opportunity to grow and spread. When you slip under the covers at night, the warmth can make the fungi more active, which naturally causes more itching.
Over-the-counter antifungal treatments can help kill the fungus and soothe the itching. If you’re suffering from athlete’s foot, keeping your feet clean and dry is also essential. For cases that don’t clear up on their own with at-home care, doctors can provide prescription treatments to get rid of the infection.
Nerve-Related Issues
Additionally, nerve-related issues like diabetic neuropathy can cause tingling, burning, and itching sensations. These conditions tend to start in the extremities, including the feet. If neuropathy is the cause of your itchy feet, your doctor can prescribe both oral medications and topicals to help manage the discomfort.
Allergic Reactions
Finally, allergic reactions can cause skin irritation and itching. If the itching is worse at night, it could be due to the laundry detergent you’re using for your socks and bedding. In some cases, people even find that this type of itching is caused by the material their bedding is made of. You can switch detergents to see if that helps. If not, changing to a different type of bedding may solve the problem.
Soothing Your Feet So You Can Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Itchy feet may not seem like a serious issue on the surface, but it can be incredibly uncomfortable. It can also cost you a great deal of much-needed rest. If dry skin, athlete’s foot, or allergic reactions are causing your nighttime itching, simple changes may be all you need to get relief. Otherwise, consider seeking medical care to find out if an underlying medical condition may be the source of the problem.
