Only 4% of your body’s skin covers your hands and feet, but dermatological conditions affecting them can be some of the most troubling. Painful skin problems on your feet make walking and standing difficult, impacting your ability to enjoy your favorite activities.
Healthy feet are an important part of staying active and living a healthy lifestyle, so don’t let a skin condition go untreated. Many dermatological problems that affect your feet can have similar symptoms, so it’s critical to get a professional diagnosis.
At Family Foot and Ankle Clinic, LLC, we’re here to help. Our team of highly trained podiatrists can assess your condition and help you find treatment that works to keep your feet — and the rest of your body — healthier. Below are some skin problems that can affect foot health.
Athlete’s foot
Athlete’s foot gets its name because it commonly occurs in situations where your feet sweat in tight-fitting shoes, but you don’t have to be an athlete to get it. The medical term for athlete’s foot is tinea pedis, and it’s a contagious fungal infection that often begins between your toes.
Symptoms of athlete’s foot often include an itchy, scaly rash between your toes or on the soles of your feet. It can be accompanied by a painful stinging or burning. Chronic athlete’s foot is scaly and can be mistaken for dry skin.
Plantar warts
Warts on your feet are fairly common. Called plantar warts, they often appear on the bottom of your heel or toes or the ball of your foot. They are usually circular. They can be mistaken for corns or calluses or may be part of calluses, because they can have a hardened surface.
Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can enter through a small cut on your feet, but they usually aren’t a serious health concern and may disappear on their own. However, if you experience pain or tenderness, we can offer effective treatment.
Eczema
Eczema on your feet can look like athlete’s foot. Eczema may appear as small, round areas of scaly skin or larger lesions. Certain types of eczema create small, itchy blisters on the soles and sides of your feet and your toes. The patches can be flaky, dry, itchy, red, and painful. Proper skin care can keep eczema in check, and medications are available for severe cases.
Psoriasis
Like eczema, psoriasis on the feet is characterized by itchy, red, and scaly skin. While psoriasis usually appears on elbows or knees, certain kinds can appear on your feet, too. If you have palmar-plantar psoriasis, you might develop psoriasis on the soles or tops of your feet.
Psoriasis on your feet can bring pain, as your skin may crack, split, swell, and blister. If you have stubborn psoriasis, we might prescribe retinoids with light therapy.
Corns
Corns are thickened areas of skin that form on your feet, appearing on pressure points like the bottom of your foot or on the sides of your toes. Corns are often confused with calluses, but calluses form as a result of repeated friction rather than pressure.
Depending on their location, corns can be painful. If you’re suffering from foot corn pain, don’t ignore it. Corns and calluses can be an indication of some other foot problem. See a doctor immediately if you have a corn that becomes infected.
The team at Family Foot and Ankle Clinic, LLC makes your foot health a priority and works with you to find the most effective treatment for your foot problems. Many dermatological conditions can be eased with moisturizers or mild soaps, while more serious conditions might require corticosteroid creams or ointments to give you relief.
Whatever your foot concern may be, we’re happy to answer your questions. Call the office nearest you to schedule an appointment today.