Everyone wants to be happy and healthy for the holidays. No one enjoys even little disruptions, like colds, allergies, or foot pain. Sometimes it’s the small irritations, like itchy feet, that can become the most bothersome, too. It’s hard to satisfactorily scratch feet when they itch. Leaving it alone is uncomfortable as well, though. It can make wearing anything on your lower limbs, whether socks, shoes, or holiday slippers, very unpleasant. Worse, scratching can actually turn the discomfort into a cycle of irritation. Fortunately, a few home remedies can help alleviate the itch and soothe your skin.
Feet itch for many reasons. You could be suffering from an allergic reaction. You could have a foot fungus damaging the outer layers of skin. Psoriasis flare-ups can be very itchy. Or, it simply could be something is irritating your feet but you don’t know what. The good news is that home-made remedies can help. Plenty of ingredients in your kitchen or basic stores can alleviate that itchy feeling. Here are a few for you to try:
- Baking soda paste – Mix 2-3 tablespoons of water with a tablespoon of baking soda until it forms a nice paste. Apply the paste to your itchy feet. Once it’s dry, rinse it off your skin.
- Salt water soaks – This can help for mild itching. Mix salt into warm water and soak your feet for ten minutes.
- Herbal mixes – Basil, mint, and thyme all have great anti-itch properties. You can make a rinse from any of them by boiling your herb of choice in water. When it’s cool, sponge the liquid onto your skin.
- Juniper and cloves – Juniper has anti-inflammatory properties, and cloves have a numbing agent. To make a paste, melt 3 oz. of unsalted butter and 2 tablespoons of beeswax. Mix them together and add 5 tablespoons of juniper and 3 teaspoons of cloves. When the paste is cool, apply it to your feet.
- Aloe – Aloe is a great anti-inflammatory. Cut a fresh aloe leaf and apply it to your itching skin.
If your itching persists, or it’s related to a condition like psoriasis, fungus, or even contact dermatitis, you’ll need stronger remedies to deal with the inflammation and the root of the problem. Our team at Podiatry Associates, P.C. are here to help you enjoy your holidays itch-free. Make an appointment with us online, or call into our Castle Pines, Parker, and Cherry Creek (Denver), CO, offices at (303) 805-5156.