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What Could Be The Cause For Extreme Itching In Hands And Feet?
Question: I suddenly had a case of itching feet. Extremely itchy. Nothing helped. That night itched all night hands and feet. Next night I had it again and hands too. The only relief was ice packs on the soles of my feet and between my hands. Next morning hands were really swollen, couldn't move rings. No signs of skin disorder.
I and lactose and gluten intolerant. Doctor says it is stress or anxiety. This started 5 days ago. Mostly it is only my hands that itch now, but frequently I go all goosey all over.
Mayve you can shed some light on this condition for me. I had a blood test and it showed that my liver is OK.
e mne
Brief Answer:
details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing to us.
From the description provided, you could be having urticaria or hives. It is basically an allergic or hypersensitivity response to otherwise trivial allergens( food, medicine, insect, pollen, animal dander, worm infestation etc). In most of the cases there is no cause for urticaria(idiopathic)
Right now I would advise you to take an oral antihistamine like cetirizine or hydroxyzine twice daily and apply calamine lotion over affected areas. If it controls your itching, you may continue the same for a week and then may taper the antihistamines gradually.The oral antihistamine would reduce your itch as well as swelling. If no response is seen, in my patients I consider adding a short course of oral steroids like prednisolone given as 20 mg for five days then tapered to 10 mg daily for another five days and then stopped or continued as 10 mg on alternate days for few more days. As steroids are prescription drugs, you will need its prescription from your family doctor.
Hope this helped.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Just found out that my neighbour has the same symptoms. She has a visible rash on her back which I don't, but she has scratched hers to the point of bleeding.My head itches constantly. I shall try the antihistamine as you suggested and use the cream the doctor prescribed if that is the same as you prescribed ( Hydrocortisone acetate (Cortic-DS 1%).
My neighbour and I swapped stories and found the time lines to be the same. We both have the same symptoms and driving our husbands crazy with this itching.
We only visit each other occasionally and have not eaten together.
I now find it more unusual than ever.
I had a blood test and my liver was normal.
Regards XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing back.
Though your neighbour is having an itchy rash, it doesn't seem to be in any way related to your skin concern.
Your neighbour's itching could be due to dry skin, eczema, scabies, fungal infection etc but in you case it probably is due to urticaria.
Scabies is one disease that may spread through contact. But in your case, its unlikely as in adults scabies does not involves palms, soles and scalp.
Right now I would suggest that you take oral cetirizine twice daily and apply steroid cream that has been given to you by your doctor.
If you develop any visible itchy lesion over palms and soles or any other area of body, please upload its image as that would help me in clinching the diagnosis.
Hope this helped.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
OK. Shall do as you say.
regards. XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Please take the medicines as suggested and get back for follow up after few days.
Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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