Itchy, red, swollen foot.feet

[ChiAlex]

In April during a 5 hour car trip my feet became very itchy- it itched them and they became red and swollen in areas. The whole foot was not swollen: but certain parts became itchy and red- under toes, sides of feet, a little on top- no ankle swelling or redness.  These itchy red areas become hard and painful to walk, the outbreaks last about 24-48 hours.  The first time this to both feet and I passed it off to wearing new and cheap high heals for over 13 hours the day before (I teach).  That day I also had some trouble with a family member who was staying with me- so I felt stress may have been a contributor?

However, about 3 weeks later this happened again… and I went off to the doctor’s.  The swelling doesn’t occur in the same area each “outbreak”- however the onset is always the same, itchy, red, turns hard, becomes painful- sometimes in one foot, other times in both.  My family doctor looked at my like I was crazy for being concerned; I am a healthy 24 year old.  However, this has happened since April 4 more times.  It has happened right (one-two days) before menstrual cycle in May, June and now July- I am not pregnant.  

I have seen a podiatrist- who took xrays and did blood work (I know the blood work was for lupus and arthritic counts but not sure the scope of the tests).  He concluded my foot is mis-shaped and molded orthotics for me.  However, this has happened two more times- I am trying to understand what is triggering this as nothing relieves the swelling, itchiness or pain.  

As I have tracked these episodes they don’t seem to happen with any certainty- meaning I have tracked my physical activity (I workout a lot), bought and wear 4X Width cross trainer shoes- even to work, and the only pattern that exists with these outbreaks is many of them are occurring right before I begin my period.  Could this be a part of PMS? They checked my blood pressure at the doctors all times I have been there- the only other thing I can think of is a circulation problem- sometimes the pain travels up to my calves (feels very sore like the day after a hard workout).  But at this point I feel like I am guessing with no guidance?

[Dr_Aparna]

Hi,
This could be either due to an allergic reaction or it could be due to some underlying medical condition concerning the circulation, heart or kidney.

The description of your symptoms seem to more in line with an allergy, maybe contact dermatitis.Contact dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin caused by direct contact with an irritating or allergy-causing substance (irritant or allergen). Reactions may vary in the same individual over time. A history of any type of allergies increases the risk for this condition.

It could have started with the footwear( the materials contained in itlike rubber) could have sensitised the skin to cause a reaction and now you could be reacting to other similar trigger factors.

The symptoms range from Itching (pruritus) of the skin in exposed areas,  skin redness or inflammation in the exposed area, tenderness of the skin in the exposed area and
localized swelling of the skin.

Topical corticosteroid medications may reduce inflammation. You should start with a mild one and use it for a short pwriuod of time till the inflammation subsides.
Anti-histamines like Cetrizine can be taken to treat the itch and the rash. You could apply an anti-itch lotion on the affected areas.

If all the blood tests turn out to be normal then you would have to probably consider and treat this as an allergy.
ref:http://www.myonlinewellness.com/topic/adam1000869

[2resa]

Just wanted to let you know that I'm experiencing the same thing and would like to know if your conditions turns out to be an allergy.  My situation is new so I haven't had time to track any patterns.

[198s]

I am also 24 and I have started to get the exact same symptoms.  This situation is new for me also.  My doctor has done everything from blood test to CAT scans and ultrasounds, so far it sounds like they think there is something wrong with my liver.  I haven't gotten an exact diagnosis yet.  I have to go back for my results.

[ChiAlex]

Its now October, same symptoms, same pattern. Doctors look at me as if I am crazy, but look at my swollen patches on my feet and have no explaination. It is extreamly frusterating.

[KAR957]

Just wanted to suggest looking up symptoms of Celiac Disease.  It is rarely diagnosed correctly, but I guarentee that you will see many similarities.  All you need to do is remove gluten products from your diet. It seems difficult at first, but it is well worth the sacrifice.  Do not drink beer or eat breads, pastas, cereals, etc.  There are many good alternate foods such as rice pasta, rice chex cereal, etc.  Please research this possibility.

[KAR957]

For some reason, doctors look at Celiac Disease as a las resort.  If you find that going gluten free releives your symptoms, you might want to buy the book Gluten Free for Dummies.  It was a big help in the beginning.  When I cheat on my diet my feet, hands, knees, etc all get itchy, but my feet and hands swell.  I am experiencing swollen itchy feet as I write to you do to lack of self control at a party.  I regret it tremendously.

[Woody2shoes]

I've had the same recurring symptoms, Itching and then the hard swollen patch on the foot, for years without any explaination. I thought I was alone. I'll try looking into that Celiac Disease. -Thanks

[loco58er]

Wow I have the exact thing going on. I am 48  and male. I work on my feet all night, but always have. This problem just started for me in the past month. I cant find out much about it but was advised to treat it as an allergy or water retention, neither of which helped. Its kind of scarey as I can hardly walk or touch the red swollen areas. Gonna look up Celiac Disease.

[Starj64]

I have the same thing going on right now as I speak.  I am in so much pain right now in my feet.  They itch really bad and sore to the touch, can hardly walk.  I am feeling miserable right now.

[Saiqa786]

Hi i have the same symtoms but the only thing which i dont have is the pain which you lot are on about. my fingers becomes really itchy, red and swollen. The thing is i am 17 and i think it is inherited or sumthing as both my other sisters have the same thing (one of them gets really painful spot as some of you lot have concerned). i was woundering what it was until i came to this site ( what is this called?)

[sassy117]

my husband left foot is swollen and red mostly the top of his foot and his big toe the swollen area is sore and tender everyone thinks he was bitten by something but there is no bite marks nothing my aunt mentioned that it may be gout but i just wanted to know if anyone else may have any suggestions if he is doing any better by tomarrow i am going to take him to the hospital and he can see his family Dr. monday morning

[Mzitho]

This is not happening to women only,I am a 37 yr old man experiencing the same thing as well.With me it sometimes starts with the lip swelling which might be embarrasing at times.Then it will go to the centre pf my foot,then to the heel and to the front part just behind the toes hot itchy very hard and red.At that moment I miss work,but that will subside as the day goes by.Then it will move to another foot,the same feeling continues.I have picked up that normaly from the lips its starts after eating or drinking cooldrink but I dont know which food might be causing.Waiting for your reply as well.

[FeFe1991]

I have the same symptoms going on and am extremely nervous and concerned. II I am just 19 and have never had any issues like this previously. I will be looking into Celiacs Disease to see if this could be a possibility. I was prescribed antibiotics last time now this time again as well as an anti fungal cream being that the doc has no idea what this could be :( just got x-x-rays done as recommended by my doctor and am waiting on the results.

[taffy913]

Sounds like angioedema to me! I've also found that eliminating wheat/gluten (don't have Celiac sprue disease, just a wheat allergy) greatly diminishes these issues for me.

Doesn't just stay in my feet, it spreads to hands, earlobes, lips, septum, etc. Cut out the wheat!

[Wings11]

Read : http://joenteo.blogspot.com/2010/01/redswollenpain-and-itchy-feet.html

[janielou1960]

I believe your diagnosis may be correct.  I have been suffering with this problem for the past 4 months.  Started out on Nov 28, 2011 with a trip to ER as I awoke at 6 am with a swollen tongue.  Treated with steriods & benadryl and sent home.  One week later returned to ER with swollen tongue, twisted face and inability to speak.  Swelling in hands & feet.  Admitted to hospital for 9 days.  Treated with sterioids, benadryl and a whole lot of other drugs.  Released from hospital Dec. 14 at 4:30 p.m.  By 7:30 pm experiencing intense itching in both feet.  Walking was very difficult.  My feet became very hard and felt like I had pads on them.  Hands itching and extremely swollen as well.  Took Benadryl went to bed.  3:30 a.m. same thing.  Took Bendaryl & went back to bed.  Then 7:30 a.m. called an ambulance.  Treated in ER with heavier dosages of steriods & Benadryl and they added another drug that started with an "A."  Released and went home.  Saw immunologist on December 16 who took lots of blood and sent it for test.  Returned to immunologist on Dec 19 who diagosned Chronic Hives Angio Edema.  On Dec 23 woke up with swollen tongue.  Took Benadryl and went to work.  Taken to hospital via ambulance a few hours later and admitted again to hospital.  More steriods, benadryl.  Saw immunologist on Jan 2.  Prescibed Allegra, Zyrtec and Singular daily and told to use Benadryl if swelling and/or itching returned.  As I write this I am experiencing the itching, pain & swelling in my feet and the feeling that I have pads on them.  Took Singular & Zytrec last night and it has helped but not eliminated the symptons.  I really thought I was the only one to experience this pain & itch in my feet & hands like this.  By the way, they tested me for Celiace but tests were all negative.

[teetee56888]

I have identical symptoms and mine have been re-occurring for many years. Right now foot (1) has been red, itchy, and first two toes swollen, also hot to the touch only on the bottom of foot. Drs. seen to think no problem and prescribes NSAID's and they do work, but only if I take at least 800 mil. at each dosage(usually a 800 motrin) twice a day. Has been the only relief, but pain and other symptoms always come back, sometimes months later,but always it does re-occur. Try the 800 motrin 2x per day. But if you find other relief please let me know.

[unhappy_feet]

I have all of the same happening to me...first my finger inches then after i itch it swells....my toes are the worst. After itching my toes the get inflamed!!! Swollen and red and hurt!
I thought it was scabies and have gone through 3 treatments of pymethrin...i thought it was over because i felt good for the past month. But last night it started happening again :-(
My toes burn itch and are very swollen..

[3dmom]

I have angioedima and it is very painful. I never know when it will occur or where: mouth, eyes, feet, hands.  I am on blood pressure meds plus was taking an aspirin a day. Once the doctor took my off the aspirin I have had less episodes of angioedima. I can tell when it is starting and now take an Allegra as soon as I start to itch. It helps and I usually won't swell much. However it does not help my feet and I have to ride out the pain for 24-48 hours. It always starts with itching on the top of my foot and later is followed by red, swollen lump. Sometimes on my heal or ball of foot or between toes. I have noticed that I can no longer go without shoes even indoors. I try to wear a shoe with some support. It seems to help some.

[VedaVoo]

I have the same symptoms. I am a 36 yr old male. It started as few months ago when i noticed a numbing feeling in my feet. It felt like a sock was rolled up or something was in my shoe and it felt weird to walk on. This happened periodical for a few weeks and would sometimes be in one foot or the other or happen in both at the same time. Then I started getting this crazy intense itch in my feet, it can be around the toes, on top and on bottom, and along the edge and heal of my foot and then it would get hard. It felt like i had hard lumps in my feet which makes it difficult to walk. Also usually my big toe swells up too. This too comes and goes but last night something else happened. I got a triple whammy. I had the problems with my feet, and my hands got a bit swollen and my ring finger and right index finger itched and swelled up and got hard to. It was like what was happening to my feet was also happening to my hands. On top of that I got an itchy rash on my left bicep that blistered up and looked a bit like a burn and was really itchy too, then a couple of hours later i got a matching rash on my other bicep. This morning the symptoms have subsided. My hands still feel a bit swollen, but red and itchiness have diminished. The rashes on my biceps are now a faint reddening  and do not itch either. And the symptoms in my feet have diminished although they still don't feel quite fight when i walk. I too am not sure what is going on. I recently went to the Dr and had some blood work done all they came back with is that my cholesterol is a little bit high and my blood pressure is a little bit high. Something else is not right here?

[Starshine77]

I have such weird skin on my feet more like pads, animal paws! :-( they feel hot and irritated inside/under my skin but I can't stop the itching as the skin is so thick I can't feel it when I scratch it!

I feel like I want to take the skin off my feet sometimes! Right now they are burning hot and my toe joints are very swollen and I hate it! Why are they like this???

Happy Christmas Eve! :-)

[skyec]

I have had this exact same problem for a decade now.  I find being on my feet alot triggers it.  The doctors don't know what it is but I did get a Cortisone injection in the area that was hard and inflammed and that stopped the issue for 6 months.  Has anybody worked out what this problem actually is?

[cecetoes]

first time tonight my toes have really freaked out-- any updates on what's going on with your toe issue?  it is only my toes-- all of them-- the rest of my feet seem to be doing ok-- toes are inflamed, red, and wicked itchy!!!!!!!!  it is incapacitating-- only thing I can think of is that I am having an allergic reaction to the lotion I put on earlier today-- because my feet were so dry-- then in winter boots, nylon socks-- my feet got sweaty--30 minutes ago I was invests itchy agony and now I feel it calming down-- I took an antihistamine and rubbed a strong hydrocortisone ointment on them.  still itchy but not as red, swollen or insanely itchy.  so what gives???  did you ever find out what yours is?  take care--

[milan793]

Hi,
Red, itchy and stiff skin with burning sensation! I have also this symptoms. However the symptoms happen on different places!  my feet, face, back and even on my penis shaft. I had this symptoms normally one time per six months and I do not know what should I do. i have been in different doctors and no response yet.

[red10356]

I had this twice and turned out to be cellulitis. Happened almost over night. Itchy, blood-red, swollen, hot to touch. Very painful.