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What Causes Thick Peeling Of Skin In Foot With Numbness?
Question: My left foot has had an area of thick peeling skin for months and now I'm feeling a slight numbness
Brief Answer:
? Tinea pedis/ ? Lichen simplex chronicus
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to healthcare magic.
I understand from your query that you are having a thickened areas of skin on your foot.
Could you give me some more details so that I can assess better?
1. Do you have associated itching?
2. What is your occupation? Does the foot have long periods of contact with water?
3. Does the lesions improve with the medications that you have tried and recurs on stopping?
You have a feature to upload the images by yourself at the right side of the query page, please utilize that so that I can answer your query better. You can also send the image as attachment to YYYY@YYYY , with the subject as 'Attn: Dr. Johny Chacko'.
Please revert back with additional history and the photograph.
Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko
? Tinea pedis/ ? Lichen simplex chronicus
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to healthcare magic.
I understand from your query that you are having a thickened areas of skin on your foot.
Could you give me some more details so that I can assess better?
1. Do you have associated itching?
2. What is your occupation? Does the foot have long periods of contact with water?
3. Does the lesions improve with the medications that you have tried and recurs on stopping?
You have a feature to upload the images by yourself at the right side of the query page, please utilize that so that I can answer your query better. You can also send the image as attachment to YYYY@YYYY , with the subject as 'Attn: Dr. Johny Chacko'.
Please revert back with additional history and the photograph.
Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. Chacko,
Thank you for your response. As you requested I uploaded the image. Its not pretty but I am sure you have seen the same or worse.
The image you are looking at is the sole of my left foot centered on the center to outside left portion. The skin occasionally flares and is itchy, burning a times. It then cracks and peels away sometimes to the point of bleeding as you can see in this photo. I also have a small patch on the inside of my right ankle which itches much more so.
I have had both for many months, trying different methods to treat them (Lotrimin, Tinaction, Foot powder), with no success. They subside for a time but always seem to return much worse than before. I am very active and play tennis and workout quite often which seem to make it worse. I have also noticed then when I drink alcohol more than usual it causes it to flare up as well.
My assumption was that it was athletes foot but now I am thinking it is eczema or ring worm. Perhaps all three of these are variants of the same fungus? I will stop guessing and an expert such as yourself tell me:) Thank you for your insight.
Regards,
XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Thank you for your response. As you requested I uploaded the image. Its not pretty but I am sure you have seen the same or worse.
The image you are looking at is the sole of my left foot centered on the center to outside left portion. The skin occasionally flares and is itchy, burning a times. It then cracks and peels away sometimes to the point of bleeding as you can see in this photo. I also have a small patch on the inside of my right ankle which itches much more so.
I have had both for many months, trying different methods to treat them (Lotrimin, Tinaction, Foot powder), with no success. They subside for a time but always seem to return much worse than before. I am very active and play tennis and workout quite often which seem to make it worse. I have also noticed then when I drink alcohol more than usual it causes it to flare up as well.
My assumption was that it was athletes foot but now I am thinking it is eczema or ring worm. Perhaps all three of these are variants of the same fungus? I will stop guessing and an expert such as yourself tell me:) Thank you for your insight.
Regards,
XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
? Plantar psoriasis / ? Eczema
Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr. XXXXXXX
I have noted the additional history and seen the clinical pictures attached.
The possibilities I would consider are Plantar psoriasis and Foot eczema.
It does not appear to be fungus / ringworm.
Plantar psoriasis is an inflammatory condition predominantly confined to the feet. The lesions worsen with friction ( and hence work out and tennis could make it worse). Alcohol has shown to worsen psoriasis, mainly the type involving the entire body. However, it could worsen plantar psoriasis as well.
Eczema could also appear on the feet alone. However, it is not as common in adults as it is in children. It predominantly involves the forefoot. So I would put it 2 nd on the list of differentials.
These two entities could be differentiated by doing a skin biopsy. You need to consult a dermatologist for the same.
Both these conditions are chronic and tend to have relapses and remissions.
I would suggest to you the following -
1. Use a thick moisturizing cream twice a day. Apply it liberally all over the feet within 3 minutes of bath on damp skin so that the moisture is trapped into the skin. The moisturizer should be continued on a long term basis even after the lesions have completely subsided to prevent recurrences.
2. Apply an ointment containing Povidine Iodine/ 2% Mupirocin or any plain antibiotic into the cracks and areas where it is bleeding. Do this twice a day till the cracks heal. ( 7-10 days)
3. You need to use a mid potent steroid for the lesions to heal. 1 % hydrocortisone is available over the counter. However, this is too mild for the foot lesions. You could use it till you get a consult from a dermatologist so that you have some symptomatic relief. Start the hydrocortisone application after the cracks have healed and apply on the entire patch twice a day on top of the moisturizer. Use it for about 2 weeks.
4. Avoid friction. Wear thick, cotton socks while playing or doing any outdoor activities.
The lesions will improve with the above management. However, I would advise you to consult a dermatologist for long term follow up. You may need to show him the pictures you have uploaded to give him a correct picture as to how they looked before treatment.
Hope this helps you.
If you have any more queries, I will be glad to assist.
Take care.
Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko
? Plantar psoriasis / ? Eczema
Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr. XXXXXXX
I have noted the additional history and seen the clinical pictures attached.
The possibilities I would consider are Plantar psoriasis and Foot eczema.
It does not appear to be fungus / ringworm.
Plantar psoriasis is an inflammatory condition predominantly confined to the feet. The lesions worsen with friction ( and hence work out and tennis could make it worse). Alcohol has shown to worsen psoriasis, mainly the type involving the entire body. However, it could worsen plantar psoriasis as well.
Eczema could also appear on the feet alone. However, it is not as common in adults as it is in children. It predominantly involves the forefoot. So I would put it 2 nd on the list of differentials.
These two entities could be differentiated by doing a skin biopsy. You need to consult a dermatologist for the same.
Both these conditions are chronic and tend to have relapses and remissions.
I would suggest to you the following -
1. Use a thick moisturizing cream twice a day. Apply it liberally all over the feet within 3 minutes of bath on damp skin so that the moisture is trapped into the skin. The moisturizer should be continued on a long term basis even after the lesions have completely subsided to prevent recurrences.
2. Apply an ointment containing Povidine Iodine/ 2% Mupirocin or any plain antibiotic into the cracks and areas where it is bleeding. Do this twice a day till the cracks heal. ( 7-10 days)
3. You need to use a mid potent steroid for the lesions to heal. 1 % hydrocortisone is available over the counter. However, this is too mild for the foot lesions. You could use it till you get a consult from a dermatologist so that you have some symptomatic relief. Start the hydrocortisone application after the cracks have healed and apply on the entire patch twice a day on top of the moisturizer. Use it for about 2 weeks.
4. Avoid friction. Wear thick, cotton socks while playing or doing any outdoor activities.
The lesions will improve with the above management. However, I would advise you to consult a dermatologist for long term follow up. You may need to show him the pictures you have uploaded to give him a correct picture as to how they looked before treatment.
Hope this helps you.
If you have any more queries, I will be glad to assist.
Take care.
Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Dr. Chacko. I really appreciate your assistance. I will consult a Dermatologist for treatment steps and biopsy as recommended.
Brief Answer:
? Plantar psoriasis/ ? Eczema
Detailed Answer:
You are welcome.
Wishing you good health,
Dr. Johny Chacko
? Plantar psoriasis/ ? Eczema
Detailed Answer:
You are welcome.
Wishing you good health,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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