foot allergy related to sweet

my son is 12 yrs old and has had a bad foot allergy specially when he excersises and sweets or when he get his feet wet and put his shoes on. I;ve been told it is related to a rubber and other synthetic materials allergy. Does anyone one how to treat?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Without examination,it is very difficult to confirm a diagnosis,but it can be due to heat rash,contact dermatitis to socks or shoes,rashes due to friction rub or sweat dermatitis,

Wash the areas several times with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites.Also ask your son to avoid wearing leather shoes for some time and wear cotton socks which should be changed atleast twice a day.He can apply some calamine lotion at the rash as it will help in soothing the skin. Your son can take some OTC oral antihistamine medications like Benadryl or Claritin and see if it helps.Application of  mild steroid is also helpful(e.g. hydrocortisone as dermacort).If still the consition persists then pls consult a dermatologist as higher-potency steroids(e.g. clobetasol propionate, fluocinonide)or oral steroids may be needed.If secondary bacterial infection sets in ,then oral antibiotics may be needed.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how your son is doing and if you have any additional queries.

[jordiz]

Thanks for your advice, we are currently doing most of your suggestions, we did take it to a dermatologist and the answer was to avoid contact with rubber, use fragrance free everything, from detergent to soap, deodorant, etc. but he has not improved at all. we do use cortizone base creams but with a limit to avoid skin from become to thin. I will follow your advice in those things we don't do and see waht happens. Once again thanks for your important comments.