Athlete's TOE?

My right foot's almost far right toe has had an irritating itch for about half a year now. It's mainly on the bottom and right side the the toe(between it and the "pinky toe"). The skin on the bottom of the toe has become harder than the other toes, a blister has occured twice in the same spot in this toe also. The itch went away once when I used this spray my dad got for me, but even after that and good hygene the itch returned. The weird part is that it only stays on the one toe. What is it?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it sounds like athelete’s foot or tinea pedis. Tinea pedis may present in several ways, varying from mild chronic scaling to acute lesions that are exfoliative, pustular, or bullous. It is typically transmitted in moist areas where people walk barefoot, such as showers or bathhouses.
Wash your feet daily and then dry thoroughly by pat drying, not rubbing. Keep the area dry and keep a separate towel for yourself. Most forms of fungal infections respond to over-the-counter products, which contain any of several basic ingredients: miconazole, tolnaftate, terbinafine, and clotrimazole.
You can consult a pharmacist and get any cream or lotion containing these ingredients. Some of them are Monistat derm, Mycelex, and Nizoral. Undecylenic acid (a castor oil derivative) is a known fungicide and Whitfield’s ointment can also be used for fungal skin infections such as athlete's foot.

In case the symptoms persist then please consult a dermatologist in that case. Oral antifungals may be needed. It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[HatchetBoy]

Would you recomend products like lotromin ultra or tinactin?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Both Lotrimin and Tinactin are topical antifungals and you can use any of these. If however the symptoms persist then you may need oral antifungals for which I suggest you to consult a dermatologist.

I hope it helps. Take care and regards.