How to Treat Nighttime Itching of Hands and Feet

Itching of the hands and feet (pruritus) at night can be a symptom of various skin conditions such as allergic rashes, psoriasis, or eczema. This issue can cause pain or severe itching, with the skin becoming rough, red, swollen, or even blistered. You may also notice that the itching becomes more intense during the night. If you're struggling with itchy hands and feet, it's important to consult a doctor. However, you can try some treatments to alleviate the discomfort caused by the itching.

Avoid Scratching. It's essential to resist the urge to scratch, as this may worsen the symptoms or lead to additional problems, including dermatitis.

• Trimming your nails can help prevent scratching.
• Consider wearing gloves at night to avoid scratching while you sleep.

Maintain skin moisture. Keeping your hands and feet moisturized before bed can help reduce or prevent itching. You can enhance humidity by using a humidifier in your home.

• Apply moisturizer to the skin at least once a day. The best time to apply moisturizer is after a shower, while your skin is still damp. Focus on the areas with the most itching after your shower and before bedtime.
• Ensure the moisturizer is unscented and color-free to avoid skin irritation.
• Use a humidifier in your bedroom to maintain moisture, preventing dryness and itching while you sleep.
• Avoid extreme temperatures, as they can dry out the skin.

Soak in warm water. Soaking in warm water can soothe itchy skin and help reduce inflammation. Consider adding colloidal oatmeal to enhance the soothing effect on the skin.

• Add baking soda, raw oatmeal, or colloidal oatmeal to the water; these ingredients help calm the skin.
• Soak for only 10-15 minutes. Prolonged soaking can dry out the skin, making the itching worse.
• Ensure the water is warm, not hot. Hot water can strip away the skin's natural oils, causing further dryness and irritation.
• After soaking, apply moisturizer to your skin before it dries completely, focusing on your hands and feet. The moisturizer will lock in the moisture, helping to prevent dryness and reduce itching.

Apply cold or wet compresses. Place cold, cool, or wet compresses on your hands and feet before bed. Compresses or cold packs can help alleviate itching and inflammation by constricting blood vessels and cooling the skin.

• You can apply cold compresses to affected areas for 10-15 minutes at a time until you fall asleep.
• If you don’t have a cold pack, you can use a bag of frozen vegetables for a similar effect.
• Don’t apply ice directly to the skin. Use a cloth to wrap the ice or pack. Prolonged direct contact with ice can cause frostbite.

Wear loose and smooth sleepwear. Prevent and reduce itching by wearing sleepwear that doesn't irritate the skin. Smooth fabrics can help protect the skin from scratching.

• Wear loose, cool, smooth sleepwear made of cotton or merino wool to minimize scratching and prevent sweating.
• Cotton is a great option because it is breathable and soft.
• Consider wearing socks and gloves to avoid scratching during the night.

Create a cool and comfortable sleeping environment. Your bed should be comfortable, cool, and well-ventilated. By controlling factors such as temperature and light, preparing a pleasant sleeping environment, and maintaining good airflow, you can prevent nighttime itching of the hands and feet.

• The ideal sleeping temperature is between 15.5 to 24 degrees Celsius.
• Use a fan to circulate air or open a window.
• Choose bedding made from natural fibers such as cotton for comfort.

Monitor your skin for signs of dermatitis. If you experience itching in your hands and feet, you may be at a higher risk for superficial dermatitis, also known as cellulitis. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Pain and/or tenderness
• A warm sensation on the skin
• Fever
• Appearance of red, bumpy, and/or blistered spots

Take care of your hands and feet. Regularly wash your hands and feet to reduce the risk of fungal and bacterial infections that can cause intense itching. Use a gentle soap that cleans effectively without causing irritation.

• Wear moisture-absorbing cotton socks to prevent itching if your feet tend to sweat a lot.
• Wear natural fiber gloves, like cotton, to avoid itching in your hands.

Choose mild or “hypoallergenic” soaps and detergents. When shopping for soaps and laundry detergents, opt for products labeled as mild, fragrance-free, dye-free, or hypoallergenic. These products contain fewer harmful chemicals that can cause itching and skin irritation.

• Products labeled “hypoallergenic” have been tested for sensitive skin and are unlikely to cause irritation.

Avoid allergens and irritants. Itching can be triggered by an allergen or irritant. You can reduce discomfort by identifying and avoiding known triggers.

• Common irritants include allergens, food triggers, cosmetics, environmental factors, insect bites, and strong detergents or soaps.
• If you wear jewelry, itching could be due to an allergy to metals in the accessories.
• If you suspect a particular irritant, try limiting exposure to see if the symptoms improve.

Stay hydrated. When your skin becomes dry, your brain receives a signal indicating that your body needs more water. This is because dehydration often leads to itching. Additionally, the sensation of itching may arise if the deeper layers of skin lack sufficient moisture. Make sure to drink water throughout the day, and have a full glass before bed.

• Aim to drink at least 8-12 glasses of water daily. If plain water gets boring, try adding fruit juice for flavor.
• You can also consume hydrating foods like cucumbers, cherries, tomatoes, celery, green peppers, watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, and broccoli.

Avoid known irritants and allergens. Itching may worsen if you come into contact with potential irritants such as chemicals or pollen. Once you identify the allergens – including food and dust – make every effort to avoid them.

• If you're unsure what you're allergic to, see an allergist for testing to identify potential triggers.

Steer clear of vasodilators and excessive sweating. Certain foods and drinks, like coffee and alcohol, are known to be vasodilators and can worsen itching. Excessive sweating also intensifies itching. By avoiding vasodilators and conditions that trigger sweating, you can minimize discomfort and itching.

• Common vasodilators include coffee, alcohol, spices, and hot water.

Reduce stress. Stressful situations can exacerbate itching. Reducing stress can help alleviate or heal the itchiness.

• You can use various methods to reduce stress, including therapy, meditation, yoga, or exercise.

See a doctor. If itching persists after a week or becomes severely uncomfortable, it's time to visit a doctor. You may be prescribed oral medication, steroid creams, or undergo light therapy for treatment.

• See a doctor if: the discomfort disrupts your sleep or affects daily activities, you experience pain on your skin, home skincare treatments don’t help, or you suspect a skin infection.

Apply calamine lotion or anti-itch cream. Over-the-counter calamine lotion or anti-itch creams can alleviate itching symptoms. These creams are available at pharmacies or online.

• Hydrocortisone anti-itch cream, available over-the-counter, can help reduce itching. Ensure the cream contains at least 1% hydrocortisone.
• Look for anti-itch creams containing camphor, menthol, phenol, pramoxine, and benzocaine.
• Apply the cream to your hands and feet before moisturizing your skin. Your doctor might suggest applying the cream to affected areas and then covering them with a moist bandage for better absorption.
• Follow the dosage instructions provided on the product label.

Take over-the-counter antihistamines. These medications help neutralize allergens and reduce itching and inflammation. Various types of over-the-counter antihistamines are available at pharmacies and online.

• Chlorpheniramine comes in 2mg and 4mg doses. You can take 4mg every 4-6 hours, but do not exceed 24mg per day.
• Diphenhydramine is available in 25mg and 50mg doses. You can take up to 25mg every 4-6 hours, but do not exceed 300mg per day.
• These medications often have sedative effects, which can help you sleep better.

Consider antidepressants. Evidence suggests that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may help reduce itching. Talk to your doctor about this option if other treatments have not worked.

• Common SSRIs used to treat itching include fluoxetine and sertraline.

Apply prescribed corticosteroid creams to the itchy area. If over-the-counter corticosteroid creams are ineffective, your doctor may recommend a stronger corticosteroid cream or an oral corticosteroid like prednisone.

• Oral steroids can cause serious side effects when used for extended periods.
• Continue moisturizing your skin while using both topical and oral corticosteroids. This helps maintain skin hydration and may prevent itching when you stop using the steroids.

Use calcineurin inhibitor cream. If other treatments have not been effective, you can use calcineurin inhibitor cream to help your skin recover. These medications, including tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, can support natural skin healing and reduce itching.

• Calcineurin inhibitors work directly on the immune system and may have side effects, including kidney issues, high blood pressure, and headaches.
• This medication should only be used when all other treatments have failed and is suitable for individuals over the age of 2.

Try light therapy. A doctor may recommend light therapy (phototherapy) to reduce itching. This is an effective and relatively simple treatment that involves exposure to controlled sunlight or artificial light, although it does come with some risks.

• This method exposes the skin to controlled sunlight or artificial ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays within a narrow wavelength range. It can be used alone or in combination with medication.
• Exposing the skin to light increases the risk of premature aging and skin cancer.