Ticklish feet are a common phenomenon that can cause both amusement and discomfort. While some people may find it enjoyable to have their feet tickled, others may find it unbearable. According to scientists, our bodies can be tickled in two ways. The first method, which may make you chuckle, is when someone applies repetitive, deep pressure to certain places of your body. Scientists think primates tease and laugh when they are tickled. Tickling can also occur when something brushes softly against your skin, such as a blade of grass or a tiny bug. This form of tickling frequently causes people to scratch themselves. Even when done to the feet, it rarely makes people laugh.
What Causes Ticklish Feet?
A combination of mild contact and the brain's perception of that touch as a possible danger causes tickling. When you are tickled on the foot, the nerve endings that perceive mild touch are activated. These nerve endings convey messages to the brain, which perceives them as a possible threat and causes the body to laugh or squirm in reaction.
Types
- The reflex theory
Tickling frequently leads us to want to shield or shift the portion of our bodies that is being tickled. This reaction may have evolved as a means of protecting susceptible parts of our body, such as our bellies, armpits, and feet.
If you're being assaulted, each of these regions is critical. We have a number of vital organs in our stomachs, big arteries in our armpits, and we need our feet to run away from danger.
- Theory of parental bonding
Because tickling occurs so often between newborns and adults, some experts believe tickling evolved as a mechanism for parents to interact with their offspring.
How to Deal with Ticklish Feet?
If you have ticklish feet, you may find it challenging to tolerate foot massages or pedicures. Here are some tips to help you deal with ticklish feet:
Practice Mindfulness
Concentrate on your breathing and attempt to relax your body. Being mindful can help you become more aware of your body's feelings and lower their intensity.
Apply Extensive Pressure
Deep pressure applied to the foot can help desensitize nerve endings and lessen tickling sensation. Apply pressure to the soles of your feet using a tennis ball or a massage roller.
Why It's Important to Pay Attention to Your Ticklish Feet?
While itchy feet may appear to be a mere irritation, they might be a sign of a more significant health problem. Here are a few reasons why your ticklish feet might worry you:
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Diabetes
- Lack of Vitamins