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The response to the question below was authored by Marc Mitnick DPM

itching in little toes when feet get warm at bedtime

by jim
(coventry u/k)

My feet are fine during the day but when i go to bed at night my little toes start to itch, the rest of my feet are fine. The itching feels like small electric shocks which after a while shoot down the side of my feet. The itching feels like it originates from the toenail.. It becomes so intense that my feet and sometimes legs, will jump involuntarily. Normally, getting out of bed and walking around for half an hour will ease the itching, but as soon as my feet get warm again, the itching starts. During the day my feet can be as warm as toast and i don't seem to suffer the same intensity of itchiness, tho i do feel a slight irritation.


RESPONSE

Hi Jim,
The fact that your symptoms are reproducible when you go to bed each night is suggestive of either a neurological or vascular problem as opposed to a skin condition. In a skin condition you would tend to be bothered by this problem all day long, regardless of whether you were in bed or not.
I wish I knew more about your medical history, primarily your age and any major medical conditions that you may suffer from.
Without this information, lets talk about the two possibilities.
1. neurological. In this situation when you go to bed at night there is a chance you are experiencing what is known as a radiculopathy, which is an irritation of the nerves as they come out of the spinal column. Depending
on your position in bed, the spine may be bent in such a manner that certain nerves are being irritated. It then manifests itself along the nerves that in your case go down into the fifth toes. It is symmetrical because the same nerve on each side of the body is being irritated. When you get out of bed and walk around you are releasing the pressure on the nerve and over time the feeling in your toes return to normal.
2. vascular. In this instance because your feet are elevated you are naturally reducing the blood flow into your feet because of no other reason other than gravity is no longer a factor in bringing blood down to your feet. Once again you get out of bed and you walk around, gravity then comes into play and more blood begins to flow into your feet and your symptoms diminish. What we find with many patients with poor circulation is that they sleep in chairs so that they can keep their feet in a dependent position all night.
So which condition are you suffering from? Unfortunately, I cannot answer that because I do not have the luxury of examining you. What I have presented to you are the two main possibilities, but not the only possibility.
Because their is a possibility that this is a circulation issue, my best advice to you would be to seek the services of a local doctor who would be best suited to make an accurate diagnosis.

Marc Mitnick DPM
DISCLAIMER:

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ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

Mayo Clinic

Johns Hopkins Medicine

MedlinePlus

Arthritis Foundation

University of Rochester Medical Center

Harvard Health

Drugs.com

American Academy of Pediatrics

Penn State Medical Center

National Institutes of Health

Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation

ScienceDirect

Stanford Health Care

Illinois Bone and Joint Institute

Mount Sinai Hospital

Institute for Chronic Pain

University of Florida Health

American Family Physician

Cedars-Sinai

University of Maryland Medical Center

DISCLAIMER: The purpose of this site is purely informational in nature. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any medical condition. This information is not a substitute for advice from a medical professional. Please consult your healthcare provider for accurate diagnosis and treatment. The information presented here may be subject to errors and omissions.




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Fla.
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Judy

(location unknown)
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(location unknown)
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Redondo Beach, CA
Thank you for your time and expertise in answering my question…..

LH

(location unknown)
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(location unknown)
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(location unknown)
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Denison, TX
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Texas
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Tampa, Florida 33624

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UK

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South Africa

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Mansfield Ctr, CT

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Placentia, California

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Unknown

Unknown location

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Unknown location

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Pacific Grove, CA

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Alameda, California

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Thank you for your very interesting and informative site!

Anonymous



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New Zealand

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Sincerely

Josette

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Arizona
I searched the internet everywhere for a clear description and illustration of my symptoms/problem. https://www.foot-pain-explained.com/ was where I ended my search with answers. If I lived in Jersey (left 30 years ago) and didn't live in Florida I would definetly make an appointment with Dr. Mitnick.

Thanks, Kathy

Florida
1st of all THANKS A LOT for your great site......

Anna

Poland
Thank you so much for your response. I will let you know how I am doing if you would like. Your website is awesome!

M P

South Carolina
Hello! I want to thank you for such an informative website! I found you based on my ankle pain search and am happy to realize that there may be a relatively simple cause and solution....

Natalie

unknown location


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Arlington, VA


Thank you so very much, that would be much appreciated. I love those insoles, by the way. (referring to Superstep orthotics)

Kelly W.

San Clemente, CA


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Pam

location unknown


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Glen

location unknown


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Bre

location unknown


Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so much for your reply. I did let my physician know and they took an x-ray - all is well! Also, thank you for providing this wonderful site, it is very helpful with lots of useful information! I appreciate your gift of time! God bless.

anonymous



Dr. Mitnick, Thank you, you were 100% correct. The pain finally brought me to the ER. I spent 8 days in the hospital. The Doppler you spoke of was able to show that there was no pulse in that foot. This was an arterial clot that split and traveled throughout my leg. My leg was almost amputated. I am in rough shape but have all my parts intact!! You certainly know what you are talking about. Thank you for taking the time to answer. Yours Truly!

anonymous



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Anna

Poland



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Seattle, WA


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Bonnie

location unknown



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Bill

New Jersey



Thanks so much for answering my question. You've been more help to me than my own Dr. has been lately. Thanks again....I hope to be able to walk without pain someday.

Debbie

location unknown



Wow, that is exactly the information needed!!! thank you thank you thank you!!! I appreciate this help so very much from Marc Mitnick DPM. Excellent information and help to improve One's life.

Chrissy

location unknown



Thanks so much for this website Dr. Marc! It is so nice that you have this ask the doctor feature..I'm sure I'ts been helpful for alot of people. I will try what you suggested and see if it helps...thanks again!

Tracy

Evansville, IA



Dear Marc

I just want to say thank you for the quick response and the good info. I find it amazing and a super nice thing that you do here by answering medical questions at no charge.

Russ W.

location unknown



Your website is full of a lot of helpful information, and I am very impressed with the time in which you responded to my post. Thank you again for your time and consideration in your response.

-Sunny.

location unknown



Thank you very much for the information, I will consider it. Excellent web site.

Jackie

San Diego, CA



Dr. Mitnick, Just want to say thank you so very much for your quick response and very informative reply! After reading what you had to say, I called the doctor's office and was able to get in and see him the same day as my injury. Toe was x-rayed and luckily, it is not broken or fractured. Very badly bruised and will probably lose the toe nail. And although my toe and toe nail are still very black and blue and very sore, they ARE both starting to feel a little better. So again, thank you! I am so very happy that I came across your website. The service you provide is outstanding and immeasurable!

Rivi,

Albany, NY



Thank you so much for all of your advice. In searching the web for people dealing with this same issue i can tell you that you are a Knight In shining Armor! If I lived in Jersey I would gladly be your Spokesperson. Hopefully next time you hear from me it will be good news. God Bless,

Jill S.

location unknown



THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND EFFORTS, YOU ARE SO VERY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

Jackie

Whichita, KS



thanks again, this site is very helpful.

mark

Boston, MA



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....Keep up what your doing. Your a life saver.

Michelle

Colorado



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annielou

Colorado

Wonderful advice

by: Anonymous

This is the best site for foot problem info.

Thank you for this information. This description fits my pain and inflammation behind my 2nd toe perfectly.

by: Max

location unknown
Again, I really appreciate that you responded to my inquiry, and that your mention of Parkinson's helped me to find my way to a diagnosis of this difficult to diagnose disease. Most patients see on average 16 doctors before they are diagnosed. I hope that you can help other people that ask for your expertise in the future.

Barb D.

Canada
I just wanted to say that I am very greatful for this website!! I have had a fusion in my rt foot and am finally getting a little bit better......

Bonnie

location unknown
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Nancie

Wisconsin
Thank you for your response. You have provided some great insight (to my question)....

Julie

location unknown
Thank-you so very much for responding so quickly and in such detail to my question!! I will give my surgeon a call today!! This website is terrific!!!! Thank-you again!

Renae

North Carolina
Many Thanks Dr Marc!
Thank you for your response. It sounds like a good plan to me. He did not cut the wart out first ...

KG

location unknown

Thanks again doc for having this website and we STILL need qualified Podiatrists in beautiful sunny Tampa Bay (Bradenton) Florida.

Bessie Mae

Florida
Dear Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so very much for taking your time to answer my question. You have greatly relieved my anxiety related to the continual tingly I feel in my feet. I will share your response with my podiatrist next week. God bless you for having this question and answer page on your website! Most gratefully,

Lynne T.

location unknown
Your webpage is excellent, I commend you on sharing your knowledge to the public.

Robert

New Jersey


Thank you. you were more detailed than what others have told me they finally called from the last xrays and my son is now in a cast for 2 weeks he did have a fracture that was not noticeable.

a mom

location unknown


I have read your website and I have to admit that I am amazed at all the information that is on here. I have learned more than the three years I have been going to several doctors that I have seen!!

Melody

Lenoir, NC


Thank you so much Doc for a quick and thorough response!

Rustam

Bellevue, WA


I cannot thank you enough for your response, opinion, and suggestions! I want you to know how much it means to me, and I'm sure everyone else who has ever asked you a question! I feel like you're a lifesaver and have empowered me to take a stronger role and stand up for myself and my feet!

Jodi

location unknown

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