Dark spots on feet, not cafe au lait!

About 15 years ago, I started developing dark spots on the bottoms of my feet. They aren't raised and there are many. I went to a podiatrist and was told that they were cafe au lait spots. After doing my own research I realize that there are not! I ahve not had them all my life as I am 39 and they began to appear about 15 years ago. I am embarrassed to wear sandals, because frankly the bottoms look dirty!

Two years ago I had fungus under my right big toe. i went to another podiatrist and he removed the toe nail. Birth was just slightly easier! LOL It was awful! The toe nai grew back exactly the same thickness and discoloration. I am not really too concerned about the nail as much as I am dealing with 80 degree weather and embarrassed to wear sandals. H E L P!!!!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Toe nail fungus is very stubborn to treat. Application of local antifungal cream(terbinafine, clotrimazole, econazole, ketoconazole, miconazole) and oral antifungal drugs are the mainstay of treatment. You can get the topical antifungal creams over the counter but they have to be used for a long time and for the oral antifungals you have to consult a dermatologist.

If still the symptoms do not improve then please get a clinical examination done by a dermatologist. 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 doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.