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Continuous Itching, Painful, Foot, Ankles, Calf, Tiny Bumps, Took Benadryl, Calamine Lotion
Posted on
Thu, 30 Jun 2011
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 30 Jun 2011
Answered on
Fri, 25 May 2012
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi. For the past three days I have continous itching (almost to the point of painful) around top of my foot and ankle. Even my calfs at times. There are very few small bumps, hardly noticeable. I am embarrassed that If I go to my family doctor he will think I am crazy because there is not much to see or show him. Benadryl is not working, calamyne lotion does not work. I feel like there are little bugs pricking at my feet and ankles and it's to the point that I almost cannot function...? I am 41, female, 5,2'', 110bls - I have not been camping, on vacation, etc. this just started out of the blue three days ago. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Hello,
Thanks for posting this query. There are a few possibilities for itching on the dorsum of foot, ankle and calf. These include:
1) Contact dermatitis or atopic dermatitis to soaps, lotions, material of socks or shoes. Moreover you have a history of asthma which raises the chances of atopic dermatitis.
2) Stasis dermatitis of the lower limbs
3) Scabies bites caused by scabies mite bites
4) Systemic diseases like liver or kidney causes (less likely)
Treatment is by oral antihistaminics and topical steroids. Oral antihistaminics relieve itching and you can get them over the counter but some of them may cause drowsiness and hence should be taken under medical guidance. Topical steroids is available by prescription from a dermatologist. Then other possibilities like scabies also need to be ruled out.
In addition you can continue to apply calamine lotion which will help in soothing the skin and take some vitamin C which is a general anti-allergy supplement. It helps stabilize mast cells so they are less likely to release histamine.
Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
Wishing you good health.
Thanks for posting this query. There are a few possibilities for itching on the dorsum of foot, ankle and calf. These include:
1) Contact dermatitis or atopic dermatitis to soaps, lotions, material of socks or shoes. Moreover you have a history of asthma which raises the chances of atopic dermatitis.
2) Stasis dermatitis of the lower limbs
3) Scabies bites caused by scabies mite bites
4) Systemic diseases like liver or kidney causes (less likely)
Treatment is by oral antihistaminics and topical steroids. Oral antihistaminics relieve itching and you can get them over the counter but some of them may cause drowsiness and hence should be taken under medical guidance. Topical steroids is available by prescription from a dermatologist. Then other possibilities like scabies also need to be ruled out.
In addition you can continue to apply calamine lotion which will help in soothing the skin and take some vitamin C which is a general anti-allergy supplement. It helps stabilize mast cells so they are less likely to release histamine.
Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
Wishing you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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