Itchy skin can occur in any part of the body, but due to the amount of sweat the feet experience from day to day, many people find their feet to be the most affected area. When you have itchy skin, all you want to do is scratch the area and it can be very frustrating to deal with. A few other causes of itchiness include eczema, dry skin, liver and celiac disease, drugs, pregnancy and many other issues.
Many times, the only way to get the itchiness to go away is to not scratch them so the rash or inflammation is able to decrease. Here are 10 different options for a home remedy for itchy feet.
1. A Cold Compress
The feeling of itchiness and cold temperatures are transferred through the body on the similar nerves, so using a cold compress might help relieve some of the itchiness you are experiencing. This is the best option if you are looking for instant relief from the itchy feeling on your feet. The longer you hold the compress on your skin, the number your feet will be and the less you will feel the need to scratch.
All you have to do to make a cold compress is wrap a handful of ice cubes in a baggie wrapped with a towel and place it on the area for several minutes. Taking a break every 30 seconds or so will keep you from getting too cold and possibly getting frostbite.
2. Baking Soda
Baking soda has anti-inflammatory features that will help soothe your feet in no time. Using 1/2 a cup of baking soda, place it in a tub of cool water and stir it in. Soak your feet for 20-30 minutes and they will feel less itchy. The baking soda will help balance the pH levels of your skin which will allow you to not have to worry about the growth of bacteria.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a highly effective home remedy for itchy feet. It is very acidic and will help prevent the growth of bacteria or other fungi that might try to attach to your feet. Mix one part of the vinegar to three parts warm water and allow your feet to soak for 15 minutes, repeating twice daily for a week. If you can stomach the taste of the apple cider vinegar, you can also take it orally to help relieve your itchiness. Two teaspoons in a glass of warm water is the recommended amount, and you can add honey to help the taste.
4. Salt Water
Taking two teaspoons of salt and mixing it in with water will provide a relaxing soak for your feet. If you are suffering from tired feet or needing relief from redness, try soaking in salt water for ten minutes at a time. Epsom salt will make it even more effective, but do not use any kind of salt soak if you have cuts or scrapes on your feet.
5. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is helpful if you use the kind that is ground up to tiny particles mixed with water for soaking. With anti-inflammatory and anti-irritation properties, your feet will be feeling relief in no time. You can soak in warm oatmeal water for 15 minutes at a time or try mixing less water with the oatmeal grinds to make a paste. Apply the paste directly on the itchy area and let it sit for 30 minutes.
6. Tea Tree Oil
If you are looking for a way to treat the root cause of your itchiness, using tea tree oil might be the best bet for you. The oil has anti-bacterial properties that will kill any bacteria or fungus growing on your feet. You can mix the oil in with either olive oil or aloe vera and rub on the itchy area for relief.
7. Aloe Vera
An added bonus of using aloe vera to heal itchiness is that it has vitamin E oil that will help keep your skin moisturized and prevent future outbreaks of itchiness due to dry skin. Certain times of year are drier than others and using aloe vera to help moisturize will benefit you greatly. Take the gel directly from a plant and allow it to soak for 15 minutes. You can leave it on, or rinse with warm water.
8. Yogurt
Yogurt has anti-bacterial properties that will help kill off any bacteria that might be growing on your feet. Apply plain yogurt directly to your feet, let it sit for 15-20 minutes, wash off with cool water and pat dry. If you aren’t already consuming yogurt daily in your diet, you might consider adding it to help fight off the itchy skin.
9. Lilac
Lilac is helpful if you are dealing with itchiness due to a yeast infection. You can boil Indian lilac leaves and use the excess water to wash your feet, soak in water with the leaves, or take capsules daily for relief. Be sure to consult your doctor on whatever method you are going to try.
10. Chamomile
Brew a cup of chamomile tea, let it cool in the refrigerator, soak a rag in the tea and wipe down your feet with the tea rag. The tea has anti-histamines that will help you fight off any allergic reactions you might be dealing with.
There are several ways to make a home remedy for itchy feet but be sure to contact your doctor if any other issues or problems arise while you are using natural remedies. Every time you are using a foot soak, be sure to pat your feet dry and keep them moisturized so they do not dry out and have even more issues.
About the author
Susan Hamilton is a food engineer and a homemade-everything type of woman. When she’s not growing her own fruits and vegetables or creating homemade recipes for her family, she likes wandering around and having different meetups with her friends. Even with a hectic schedule, she loves writing and editing articles for HomeRemedyBook, where she shares her knowledge about following a healthy lifestyle.