Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCauses of Itchy AnklesWhen to Seek TreatmentTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes of Itchy Ankles
When to Seek Treatment
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Itchy skin, also calledpruritus, usually occurs when the skin comes into contact with an irritant or an allergen. Most pruritus is harmless and goes away on its own. Sometimes, though, itchy skin, including itchy ankles, can be a sign of an underlying issue.
This article will provide an overview of the possible causes of itchy ankles, when to seek medical care, and how itchy ankles are treated.
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Causes and Treatments for Itchy Skin (Pruritus)
Conditions that can cause itchy ankles range from allergies to psoriasis toautoimmuneconditions (when the immune system overreacts). Itchy ankles can also be the result of bacterial or viral infections.
When the skin reacts to an irritant or allergen, the immune system releases chemicals like histamine, causing itching,inflammation, and other symptoms.
Skin reactions like contact dermatitis, hives, allergic reactions, and psoriasis are all manifestations of the immune system responding to threats.
Dry Skin and ItchinessDry skincompromises the skin’s layers, making skin less protective against the environment.Dry skin can lead to:More reactive or sensitive skinA higher likelihood of itchy skinA worsening of skin issues like psoriasis.As we age, our skin gets drier as it produces less oil and loses more water. People who experience menopause also have drier skin as hormones change.Moisturizing with a fragrance-free emollient (lotion or cream) could help with itchy ankles resulting from dryness.
Dry Skin and Itchiness
Dry skincompromises the skin’s layers, making skin less protective against the environment.Dry skin can lead to:More reactive or sensitive skinA higher likelihood of itchy skinA worsening of skin issues like psoriasis.As we age, our skin gets drier as it produces less oil and loses more water. People who experience menopause also have drier skin as hormones change.Moisturizing with a fragrance-free emollient (lotion or cream) could help with itchy ankles resulting from dryness.
Dry skincompromises the skin’s layers, making skin less protective against the environment.
Dry skin can lead to:
As we age, our skin gets drier as it produces less oil and loses more water. People who experience menopause also have drier skin as hormones change.
Moisturizing with a fragrance-free emollient (lotion or cream) could help with itchy ankles resulting from dryness.
What Is Swimmer’s Itch?
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitisoccurs when the immune system reacts to a substance with itching and redness. Contact dermatitis can happen because of an irritant, like a chemical or rubber gloves, or because of allergens like:
If your ankles are itchy, it might be helpful to determine if a new sock, shoe, or lotion is to blame.Toconfirm an allergy, see your healthcare provider for testing.
Hives
If your itchy ankle is red, bumpy, and swollen, hives might be the cause. Hives normally go away on their own. If they spread rapidly to the rest of the body, seek emergency care.
Allergies
Allergiescan also cause skin reactions, whether they occur after physical contact with an allergen, an insect bite, or ingesting food or medications.
An allergic reaction could cause itchy ankles, along with redness and rash. Some allergic reactions appear as flakiness or scales, which can indicate the need to test for skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema.
If an allergic rash spreads quickly to other parts of the body or you experience any difficulty breathing, call 911 and seek immediate emergency care.
Sunburn
All-Over Itchy Skin (Without) Rash
Liver Problems
Diabetes
Diabetesoccurs when too much sugar (glucose) remains in the blood instead of being transported to organs and tissues for use.If your ankle is itchy and your skin is chronically dry, see about getting tested for diabetes.
Psoriasis
Psoriasisoccurs when the immune system overreacts and produces skin cells too quickly. This results in scaly red skin that can burn and itch.
If your itchy ankles are also scaly and red, psoriasis could be a possibility. It’s important to get a psoriasis diagnosis as early as possible since it can be a progressive condition. Unchecked psoriasis can lead to other disorders like psoriatic arthritis.
Eczema
Eczemaoccurs when the skin reacts to irritants, stress, and allergens.Symptoms include redness, dryness, and itchy skin. Eczema can disappear over time or worsen. Minimizing stress and avoiding chemical irritants and allergens can help with healing eczema.
Cancer
Fungal Infections
Circulation Issues
When blood doesn’t circulate effectively, swelling can occur, such as when the legs become swollen after sitting for a long time. At times, this lack of circulation can become chronic, and blood can pool in one place, creating conditions like varicose veins. This leads to an inflammatory response from the body, also known asvaricose eczema.
Varicose eczema, which includes dryness and itch, is most likely to occur in the lower body, farthest from the pumping heart.
Parasitic Infections
Scabies symptoms can take two to six weeks to appear for a first-time infection or one to four days for a second or subsequent infection.
Autoimmune Conditions
Autoimmune conditions likemultiple sclerosis,lupus, andhuman immunodeficiency virus(HIV) and their treatments can all increase thechance of itchy skin.Symptoms can include rashes, eczema, redness, and itch.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
See your healthcare professional if your itchy ankles:
Itchy Skin: When To Seek Emergency CareSeek emergency treatment for your itchy ankles in the following cases:A sudden rash that is spreading quickly, especially if breathing is affectedA fever with a rashA rash that blisters or is painfulIf a rash is infected, which might include pain and include yellow-green fluid or swelling
Itchy Skin: When To Seek Emergency Care
Seek emergency treatment for your itchy ankles in the following cases:A sudden rash that is spreading quickly, especially if breathing is affectedA fever with a rashA rash that blisters or is painfulIf a rash is infected, which might include pain and include yellow-green fluid or swelling
Seek emergency treatment for your itchy ankles in the following cases:
How to Treat Itchy Ankles
Treating itchy ankles depends on the underlying cause. For most people, treatment might include:
Other ways to treat itchy skin could include:
Summary
Having itchy ankles is usually a harmless issue that heals on its own. Causes of itchy ankles can include reactions to irritants (like fabric, rubber, or chemicals) or allergens (like pollen, poison ivy, or metals), skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, fungal infections, and immune system issues.
If itchy ankles show signs of infection, don’t respond to at-home treatments like creams or antihistamines, or spread to other parts of the body, see your healthcare provider.
Treatment for itchy ankles can include antihistamines, anti-itch lotions, keeping the area dry, moisturizing, taking oatmeal baths, and avoiding perfumes and other chemicals. Testing for or treating an underlying health issue might also be necessary in the case of chronic, long-lasting itch.
A Word From Verywell
Having itchy ankles can be frustrating, but it’s usually nothing to worry about for most people. Keeping the area dry and free from allergens and irritating fabrics should help your itch heal on its own. However, if itchy ankles don’t go away on their own or don’t respond to treatment, it’s best to see a healthcare professional. Getting treated can be key to not only relieving itch but improving your health overall.
Itchy ankles occur at night for several possible reasons. Our body’s defenses change with ourcircadian rhythmor sleep-wake cycles. For example, our skin cools at night, releasing heat that can cause irritation. We also experience water loss via the skin at night, which may cause dryness. Bed bugs or scabies can also be the culprit behind nighttime itching.Learn MoreWhy Does My Skin Itch at Night?
Itchy ankles occur at night for several possible reasons. Our body’s defenses change with ourcircadian rhythmor sleep-wake cycles. For example, our skin cools at night, releasing heat that can cause irritation. We also experience water loss via the skin at night, which may cause dryness. Bed bugs or scabies can also be the culprit behind nighttime itching.
Learn MoreWhy Does My Skin Itch at Night?
Learn MoreCauses of Itchy Skin and Treatment Options
Itchy ankles are most likely a result of contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is when the skin reacts to an irritant or allergens. Irritating fabrics, rubber, dyes and fragrances, metals, and poison ivy, oak, or sumac are all examples of substances that could irritate the skin. Ankles can also itch at night when our body’s defenses can be relaxed and our temperature cools.Learn MoreContact Dermatitis
Itchy ankles are most likely a result of contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is when the skin reacts to an irritant or allergens. Irritating fabrics, rubber, dyes and fragrances, metals, and poison ivy, oak, or sumac are all examples of substances that could irritate the skin. Ankles can also itch at night when our body’s defenses can be relaxed and our temperature cools.
Learn MoreContact Dermatitis
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