At Foot Body Sole, we see and treat a wide range of skin conditions on the feet.
Keep reading to see the list of the most common itchy skin conditions we see at this clinic and treatments we provide.
Do you get itchy feet? It could be 1 of the 6 reasons below.
Dyshidrotic Eczema
Dyshidrotic eczema is the inflammation of the skin that causes small and itchy blisters on the plantar feet and toes. The actual cause is not known however studies have found it is more common in people who have other forms of eczema and could possibly be due to genetics as well. It is more common in younger adult women than in men, typically between the ages of 20 and 40. People can have a single flare-up but it’s more common for it to come and go over long periods of time. Your GP can prescribe a topical treatment to help with the discomfort.
Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a skin reaction to a specific irritant or allergy. Symptoms may include redness, itchiness, a patchy or scaly rash, dry and cracked skin, bumps and blisters, swelling, burning, and tenderness. It's possible the irritant could be innocuous to other people, but still trigger a reaction for you. Contact dermatitis may be caused by a wide number of sources ranging from soaps and fragrances to chemicals and certain types of metals. “Irritant” contact dermatitis can onset very quickly after coming into contact with the offending material while “allergy” contact dermatitis may take up to a week for symptoms to appear. You can find this on the feet as it comes into contact with many surfaces throughout the day, especially in warm weather when you’re likely to be barefoot more often. If you experience contact dermatitis on your feet try to avoid any irritants and use a topical treatment to reduce skin symptoms.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease which is strongly linked to genetics and autoimmune pathogenic traits. It can cause itchiness which some individuals may describe as burning or painful. Many people with psoriasis find that certain things trigger or worsen their symptoms. Psoriasis on the feet and athlete’s foot can have similar appearance so please see your podiatrist to get a diagnosis. Often Psoriatic nails get mistaken for fungal nails and the anti fungal treatments don't work against it and can be frustrating for the client if misdiagnosed. There is no cure for psoriasis however topical treatments can help including a steroid cream, salicylic acid, calcipotroil, retinoid and more.
Hand, foot and mouth disease
Hand, foot and mouth disease is common in children and can often develop reddish spots on the soles of feet and palms of hands, which quickly turn into bumps or blisters. While an itchy rash tends to develop on the hands or feet, it can appear elsewhere on the body, such as the knees or elbows.The virus usually clears up on its own within 10 days however pain medication may help to relieve symptoms.
Cellulitis
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection that can cause redness, swelling, increase temperature in the foot and legs. If left untreated, it can spread and cause very serious health problems. Podiatrist can provide the appropriate wound care and hygiene education to prevent cellulitis. Treatments for cellulitis include prescribed oral antibiotics and preventative strategies and education.Often Cellulitis can be caused from a small opening in between the toes or heel fissures, so making sure your skin barrier is in optimal condition is the best prevention.
Tinea Pedis - we see this the most!
Tinea pedis also known as 'athletes foot' is a fungal skin infection of the foot. It is usually caused by increase or persistent moisture in footwear & between the toes. Tinea pedis can cause the skin to be very itchy, peel and cause blister like appearances on the foot. We provide education to prevent this condition at the clinic and prescribe a topical treatment to treat and eliminate the symptoms. Our two favourite topical treatments include 'Solveasy cream/spray' & 'Walker's Tea Tree Foot Spray', both with active ingredients that are topical anti-fungals.
If you believe you may have any of the above, please contact us by calling 03 8648 7678 or click the button below to book online.
It is vital a proper diagnosis is provided to start the correct treatment so ensure that you speak with our podiatrists to look after your foot health.