Brits have been advised to take notice of an itchy sensation affecting their feet. This particular symptom, particularly when accompanied by additional signs, warrants a consultation with a healthcare professional.
Occasional itchy skin is quite common. Numerous benign causes can cause this sensation, including cold dry weather or insect bites.
However,continuous itchiness that doesn't go away could suggest something more serious. Experts at Healthline have emphasised that the feet are particularly susceptible to developing such irritation.
They warned that itchy feet could point towards various health conditions, including diabetes, kidney disease, and liver disorders.
Liver diseaseWhether caused by excessive alcohol intake or a build-up of fat in the liver, liver disease represents a grave condition that may become fatal without appropriate intervention. TheLiver Foundation identified itching as one symptom 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 exact cause of itching linked to liver disease remains somewhat mysterious, although it has been associated with several factors, including the build-up of bile salts in the blood and changes to other blood components such as histamine, serotonin, female hormones and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) triggered by the illness.
Further signs of liver disease to be aware of include:
Diabetes.co.uk warns that itching which affects the feet alongside legs and ankles is "common" among those with diabetes. The organisation explains: "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."
Other key symptoms of diabetes to look out for include:
Similar to diabetes, itching is "very common" among those afflicted with kidney disease. Kidney Care UK states that this symptom affects about half of people with advanced kidney disease and "almost everyone" experiencing kidney failure who undergoes dialysis or conservative treatment.
"You may find that you get itchier as your kidney function gets worse," the organisation says. For those suffering from kidney disease, itching might be triggered or exacerbated by dry skin, high temperatures, inadequate dialysis, and increased calcium levels in the blood.
Additional symptoms of kidney disease include:
If you notice any of these warning signs, it's crucial to seek medical advice from your doctor.
