Experts warn that continuous itchiness affecting your feet could point to diabetes, liver or kidney disease
Itchy feet could be a symptom of several serious health issues. This specific symptom, especially when it occurs alongside other warning signs, requires medical attention from a GP.
Intermittent itchy skin is fairly normal. Various harmless factors can trigger this feeling, such as harsh winter conditions or bug bites.
Nevertheless, persistent itching that refuses to subside might indicate something more concerning. Experts at Healthline have highlighted that feet are especially prone to developing this type of irritation.
They cautioned that itchy feet might signal several medical conditions, including diabetes, kidney disease, and liver disorders.
Liver disease
Whether triggered by heavy drinking or fat accumulation in the liver, liver disease constitutes a serious condition that could prove deadly without proper treatment. The Liver Foundation recognised itching as a key indicator of liver disease.
“You might itch anywhere on your body, but it’s most common on the arms and legs, or the palms of your hands or soles of your feet,” it said. “Some people itch all over. Itching in liver disease can vary from mild to exhausting.
“If your itching is caused by a liver problem, there won’t be a skin rash or an insect bite. But constant scratching can damage the skin. The more severe the disease, the worse the itching gets.
“You might notice it’s worse in heat, including a hot bath, at night, or when you wear certain clothes.”
The precise cause of itching connected to liver conditions is not known, though it has been linked to various elements, including the accumulation of bile salts within the bloodstream and alterations to other blood constituents such as histamine, serotonin, female hormones and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) caused by the condition.
Additional indicators of liver disease to watch for include:
- Experiencing persistent fatigue and weakness
- Diminished appetite – potentially resulting in weight reduction
- Decreased libido
- Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- Nausea or vomiting
Diabetes
Diabetes.co.uk cautions that itching which impacts the feet along with legs and ankles is “common” amongst those living with diabetes. The organisation says: “Itchy skin can be a sign of diabetes, particularly if other diabetes symptoms are also present.
“High blood sugar levels over a prolonged period of time is one cause of itchy skin. In some cases, itchy skin may be caused by complications of diabetes such as nerve damage or kidney disease.
“Itching of the feet, legs or ankles is a common complaint in people with diabetes that may occur as a result of a period of too high sugar levels.”
Additional primary symptoms of diabetes to monitor include:
- Suffering from extreme thirst
- Passing urine more regularly than normal, especially throughout the night
- Experiencing severe exhaustion
- Reduction in weight and muscle mass
- Itching around the genital region, or recurring thrush infections
- Problems with eyesight
Kidney disease
Itching is a “very common” symptom among those suffering from kidney disease, similar to diabetes. According to Kidney Care UK, approximately half of people with advanced kidney disease experience this symptom, and it affects “almost everyone” undergoing dialysis or conservative treatment for kidney failure.
The organisation notes that as kidney function deteriorates, the itching may intensify. For those battling kidney disease, triggers or exacerbating factors for itching could include dry skin, high temperatures, inadequate dialysis, and elevated calcium levels in the blood.
Additional indicators of kidney disease include:
- Unexplained weight loss and reduced appetite
- Swelling in ankles, feet or hands – due to fluid retention (oedema)
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Presence of blood in your urine
- Increased urination frequency – particularly during the night
- Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea
- Persistent headaches
- Sexual dysfunction in men
If you observe any of these warning signs, you should speak to your GP.
