My feet get super red and start to itch and burn at the same time

[Cheesymilk]

I take a decently hot show, nothing to burn my skin. Not even 5 minutes into my shower my feet get very red and start to burn but itch and the same time. It's almost unbearable, sometimes I have to sit down to let them "cool off" I've been taking a shower with the same level of heat for years. I believe it's starting to get worse, and I'd say it's been going on for maybe a year. What could this be a result to? Sometimes when I'm just standing they burn and itch so it couldn't be the heat of the water.

[Lynora]

Do you have Lymphoedema? Have you described this feeling to your GP? When you say you have to sit to allow your feet to 'cool off', is your heart racing, are you lightheaded?

[Cheesymilk in reply to Lynora]

No I'm not lightheaded and I'm not sure should I check into that

[Chocolate-e-clare]

Hi cheesymilk, if you have lymphedema, hot showers/baths/saunas etc are discouraged as the heat often causes more swelling. What you are describing is unusual. Do you wear compression? There may be a circulation issue. Best to check with your doctor.

[Cheesymilk in reply to Chocolate-e-clare]

I do not

[Lynora]

Bit confused why you are asking your question on a forum for Lymphoedema patients.

I think you should visit your doctor and tell him/her your symptoms.

[CCT67]

Hi Cheesymilk,

It's possible you may have Erythromelalgia/EM which is a neurovascular disorder usually manifesting in the extremeities. Do your feet ever get red and itch other times than in hot shower, like if you go from outside to inside/ very heated room? While in the shower when your feet get red, itchy, burning do your feet feel relief if you put them under cool water? If they do you almost definitely have EM as that the classic sign ie cool water relieves the burning but when you stop the cold water the burning returns

EM is not something most GPs have heard - the 7 GPs at my surgery never had. I was diagnosed with EM by Dr Gordon at the Lymphoedema Clinc at St Georges hospital in London. It's a very rare disorder that is linked to gene mutation just like primary Lymphoedema is (which I have). Sometimes Lymphoedema in the feet and legs (or arms/hands) exacerbates EM if already predisposed to it. I had very mild EM symptoms all my life but when my Lymphoedema became more acute the EM symptoms hugely worsened.

Here is a link that may be useful

rarediseases.org/rare-disea...

There are patient support groups on line too eg EM Warriors.

Take care

Cat x

[PenelopeW in reply to CCT67]

After my warm shower (trying to avoid legs as much as possible0, I then turn the water to cold and shower my legs and feet. Have to be a bit stoical to do this. You could get out of the shower and sponge your legs down with cold water. Keep cold water in a bowl handy. Essential to keep the legs cool. When I am in bed I wrap up quite warmly down to my thighs and try to keep lower legs exposed to the air. When I was in hospital my legs itched terribly with the heat so I soaked a bath towel in cold water, squeezed out the excess water, and lay with it draped over my legs to cool them. It worked.

[Andrew620]

I get that too but its not as bad it just itches

[Iseiah]

The same exact thing happens to me!! I could just be standing in the shower and then all of a sudden, slowly but surely, my feet will start getting red and begin to itch. I could walk out, dry them on the mat and it would be fine but then some days i could just get up to use the restroom and as i’m standing (barefoot) my feet will begin to get red and itch. I don’t know why but sometimes even when i’m just sitting down with my feet on the floor, it can occur. I’m 15 and this concerns me as it’s been going on for over a year.

[Cjayyy7 in reply to Iseiah]

Hey man I’m 14 and have the same problem. Can’t have a nice shower any day of the week. Have u figured out what it is?

[joelewisthorp in reply to Cjayyy7]

I'm 15 and experiencing this exact problem. Feet go red and itchy in the shower quite quickly and I can't have a non-stressful shower nowadays. I can also feel it when I sleep or when I'm standing in the same place for a long time e.g standing barefoot at the toilet like you said. Did you figure out with it was?

[joelewisthorp in reply to Iseiah]

I'm 15 and experiencing this exact problem. Feet go red and itchy in the shower quite quickly and I can't have a non-stressful shower nowadays. I can also feel it when I sleep or when I'm standing in the same place for a long time e.g standing barefoot at the toilet like you said. Did you figure out with it was?

[AislinnJackson001 in reply to Iseiah]

Hey! I'm so glad this isn't just me. I just so happened to look this up on Google and saw this website and your comment. I'm 16, and sometimes when I'm in the shower, it's the same. My feet get so red that if I touch them, they stay white for a second. They itch and burn really bad, and one time it was completely unbearable and I had to get out. Even cold water wasn't helping. They stayed that way when I got out of the shower too. One time, I wasn't even in the shower, I had just taken off my socks, which weren't very tight. Someone please respond and tell me if I'm just crazy or there's something wrong.

[Justmeee in reply to AislinnJackson001]

I’m 18 and this has been happening to me since I was like 12, same exact thing ! It happens when I take a shower , and sometimes when I’m just standing or sitting . When I get out of the shower sometimes it takes 10-15 min for the itchy to go away. Whenever I get pedicures my feet soak in hot hot water and it never happens though

[Dacleary in reply to AislinnJackson001]

I’m 14 and I get the exact same thing. Anyone here know what this is. I have had it for a year or two now.