The unpleasant feeling of itching in the legs can be a warning sign of potentially serious medical conditions. Health organizations therefore urge people not to ignore itchy feet. Occasional itchy skin is fairly common and has many innocuous causes, such as cold, dry weather or insect bites. However persistent itching that does not go away could indicate something much more troubling, informs the portal.
The feet are particularly susceptible to irritation and itchy feet can be related to a number of medical conditions including diabetes, kidney disease and liver disorders. Itching affecting the feet, along with the lower legs and ankles, is common in people living with diabetes. Itchy skin can be a symptom of diabetes, especially if other symptoms of the disease are also present.
One cause is long-term high blood sugar, but in some cases, itchiness can be caused by complications such as nerve damage or kidney disease. Other key symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst, frequent urination (especially at night), extreme fatigue, weight and muscle loss, genital itching or recurrent yeast infections, and vision problems.
It can be caused by excessive alcohol consumption or fat accumulation. Liver disease is a serious condition that can be fatal without proper treatment. The Liver Foundation lists itching as one of the typical symptoms of the aforementioned diagnosis. Itching can appear anywhere on the body, but most often it is on the hands and feet, or directly on the palms or soles.
If the itching is due to a liver problem, there will be no rash or bite marks on the skin, but constant scratching can damage the skin. The intensity of itching often increases as the disease progresses and may worsen in the heat, after a hot bath, at night or when wearing certain clothes. Among others warning signs include persistent fatigue, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) or nausea.
As with diabetes, itchiness is very common in patients suffering from kidney disease. Kidney Care UK reports that this symptom affects about half of patients in advanced stage and almost everyone in renal failure.
Itching can worsen as kidney function declines and is often triggered by dry skin, high temperatures, or elevated calcium levels in the blood.. Other symptoms of kidney disease include: unexplained weight loss, swelling of the ankles, feet or hands caused by fluid retention, shortness of breath, blood in the urine, muscle cramps or headaches. If you notice any of these warning signs, it is essential to consult your GP.
