{"id":633707,"date":"2025-12-15T10:17:21","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T10:17:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/633707\/"},"modified":"2025-12-15T10:17:21","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T10:17:21","slug":"itchy-feet-that-wont-go-away-could-signal-three-deadly-illnesses-when-to-seek-help","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/633707\/","title":{"rendered":"Itchy feet that won&#8217;t go away could signal three deadly illnesses &#8211; when to seek help"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>While usually harmless, persistent itchy feet can sometimes indicate underlying health conditions that require medical attention<\/p>\n<p>01:00, 14 Dec 2025Updated 07:09, 14 Dec 2025<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_GettyImages-2243748217.jpg\" alt=\"Itchy feet\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>According to health experts, itchy skin including on the feet could signal several serious issues(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Brits have been advised to take notice of an <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/health\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">itchy sensation affecting their feet<\/a>. This particular symptom, particularly when accompanied by additional signs, warrants a <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/doctors\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">consultation with a healthcare professional<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Occasional itchy skin is quite common. Numerous benign causes can cause this sensation, including cold dry <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/weather\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">weather<\/a> or insect bites.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">However,<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/health\/itchy-symptom-you-might-not-34613784\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\"> continuous itchiness that doesn&#8217;t go away could suggest something more serious<\/a>. Experts at <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/itchy-feet\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Healthline<\/a> have emphasised that the feet are particularly susceptible to developing such irritation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">They warned that itchy feet could point towards various health conditions, including diabetes, kidney disease, and liver disorders.<\/p>\n<p>Liver disease<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Whether 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. The<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/liver.org.au\/your-liver\/symptoms\/itching\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\"> Liver Foundation<\/a> identified itching as one symptom of liver disease.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;You might itch anywhere on your body, but it&#8217;s most common on the arms and legs, or the palms of your hands or soles of your feet,&#8221; it said. &#8220;Some people itch all over. Itching in liver disease can vary from mild to exhausting.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;If your itching is caused by a liver problem, there won&#8217;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.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_GettyImages-2222758070.jpg\" alt=\"Itchy ankles\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Itchiness caused by liver problems is &#8220;most common&#8221; on the arms and legs, or the palms of your hands or soles of your feet(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;You might notice it&#8217;s worse in heat, including a hot bath, at night, or when you wear certain clothes.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Further signs of liver disease to be aware of include:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"unordered-list\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Feeling constantly tired and weak<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Loss of appetite \u2013 possibly leading to weight loss<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Reduced sex drive<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Feeling or being sick<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Diabetes<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.diabetes.co.uk\/diabetes-complications\/itchy-skin-and-diabetes.html#google_vignette\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Diabetes.co.uk<\/a> warns that itching which affects the feet alongside legs and ankles is &#8220;common&#8221; among those with diabetes. The organisation explains: &#8220;Itchy skin can be a sign of diabetes, particularly if other diabetes symptoms are also present.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;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.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_GettyImages-2181207821.jpg\" alt=\"Feeling sick\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Feeling sick can also be signs of kidney disease and liver disease(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;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.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Other key symptoms of diabetes to look out for include:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"unordered-list\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Experiencing excessive thirst<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Urinating more frequently than usual, particularly during the night<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Feeling extremely tired<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Loss of weight and muscle bulk<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Itching around the genital area, or recurrent thrush infections<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Vision problems<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Kidney disease<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Similar to diabetes, itching is &#8220;very common&#8221; among those afflicted with kidney disease. <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/kidneycareuk.org\/kidney-disease-information\/living-with-kidney-disease\/managing-symptoms\/patient-info-itching-and-chronic-kidney-disease-ckd\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Kidney Care UK<\/a> states that this symptom affects about half of people with advanced kidney disease and &#8220;almost everyone&#8221; experiencing kidney failure who undergoes dialysis or conservative treatment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;You may find that you get itchier as your kidney function gets worse,&#8221; 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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Additional symptoms of kidney disease include:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"unordered-list\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Unexplained weight loss and decreased appetite<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Swelling in ankles, feet or hands \u2013 due to fluid build-up (oedema)<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Shortness of breath<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Tiredness<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Blood present in your urine<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Increased frequency of urination \u2013 especially during the night<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Muscle cramps<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Nausea<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Persistent headaches<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Sexual dysfunction in men<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">If you notice any of these warning signs, it&#8217;s crucial to seek medical advice from your doctor.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"While usually harmless, persistent itchy feet can sometimes indicate underlying health conditions that require medical attention 01:00, 14&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":633708,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4316],"tags":[967,11208,105,4348,35908,377,74700,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-633707","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-healthcare","8":"tag-diabetes","9":"tag-fitness-and-health","10":"tag-health","11":"tag-healthcare","12":"tag-insomnia","13":"tag-sex-drive","14":"tag-skin","15":"tag-uk","16":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115723072527650692","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/633707","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=633707"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/633707\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/633708"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=633707"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=633707"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=633707"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}