What causes the middle of the foot sole to become increasingly itchy when scratched?
Disease description:
I have been experiencing significant itching in the middle of my foot while walking these past two days, causing me to have insomnia at night. The itching on the sole of my foot gets worse the more I scratch it. What could be the reason for this?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
Itching in the middle of the sole that worsens with scratching may involve several skin conditions, mainly including:
1. **Tinea pedis (athlete's foot):** Caused by fungal infections such as *Trichophyton rubrum* or *Trichophyton mentagrophytes*, it commonly presents with itching on the soles that intensifies upon scratching, accompanied by peeling, cracking, and other symptoms.
2. **Pompholyx (dyshidrotic eczema):** Associated with localized allergies, dermatophyte infection, psychological factors, and more. When occurring on the soles, it causes small blisters and intense itching, which may worsen after scratching.
3. **Eczema:** Triggered by multiple factors such as genetics, immune dysfunction, endocrine disorders, and metabolic diseases. Eczema causes dryness, redness, swelling, and itching of the affected skin, and scratching may exacerbate symptoms.
4. **Dry skin:** Dryness of the skin on the soles can also cause itching. Keeping the feet clean and using moisturizing lotions can help relieve this condition.
