Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

White when wet

I have had problems with calluses on my heel of my foot. I have tried shaving off the callus and that seems to work but the past couple months ive had this patch that turns white when wet for a short period of time. I figured it was just the callus reacting to being wet but seems no matter how much I shave the skin off that area it doesnt go away. Ive shaved so much ive broken the skin. What should I do to get rid of this?
15 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
It’s been a while and no updates to this post. Anyone get any answers to what this is and how to treat it?
I believe this skin issue started after I used a steel callous exfoliator.
Helpful - 1
2 Comments
If the skin stays too wet it will become macerated and begin to degrade (macerated wound). Skin maceration is soft and white.  In most cases, mild skin maceration resolves on its own after the skin gets the chance to dry out.

Here are a list of recommendations from WebMD’s article What Is Skin Maceration?..

“When dealing with skin maceration, the first step is to clean the skin thoroughly to remove bacteria. In incontinence-related cases, consider using a no-rinse, pH-balanced cleanser.

Next, an ointment should be applied to the skin to act as a protective barrier. Keep skin clean and dry, and if maceration is incontinence-related, change soiled clothes immediately.  

Other ways you can help skin maceration heal is by reducing friction and pressure. That might mean repositioning yourself or your loved one every 1-2 hours to relieve pressure on the area. You might consider supportive cushioning to help relieve tender areas.

Proper changing of bandages isn’t the only way to promote healing. Getting proper nutrition, especially protein, will give your body the nutrients it needs to start repairing itself. Drinking the recommended amount of water will also help speed healing.

‌You’ll need proper circulation of the blood to heal fully. Avoid smoking tobacco. Smoking hinders your blood circulation and makes the healing process slower.

If you think you have skin maceration, speak to your doctor as soon as possible. If left alone, it can fester and get worse.”
Not skin maceration, as my feet are dry except for showering. White areas show up when feet are briefly exposed to water. I suspect this has something to do with exfoliating the feet too much, as this is when the problem started. Seems the OP has been self-treating callouses by shaving them off as well. Just not sure how to repair the issue now as it’s been a couple of months.
Avatar universal
Any update I have the same problem
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have this too! Help
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have the same problem, it’s literally crippling my life.  
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Same! Any answers
Avatar universal
I have the same thing! On big toe, pinky toe and heels. It’s on the outside parts for me:/
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
any updates?
Avatar universal
This is fungus on the feet and or hands.  The area turns white because the fungus itself already has moisture in it, so when it gets wet it turns white.  To get rid of this clear up the candida/fungus inside of your body (no sugar, no dairy, no gluten diet), and watch the problem disappear.  Also, you can soak your feet in a solution of white or apple cider vinegar and warm water each day and rub off the white part with a callous remover.  This will help temporarily, but it will come back if the problem is internal fungus (which it is).  Good luck!
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
what are your qualifications to make this assumption? Have you seen this condition before?
Avatar universal
any updates? I also have this problem.
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
Go to a dermatologist and see if you have eczema of the foot. If so, this could be the reason for the irritated patch on the inside heel of your foot. As for the discoloration. It could be due to an initial hydroses if the irritated area, and could be getting worse or harder to remedy due to the scubbing/peeling of the layers of skin. Try NOT to scrub the area for a few weeks and every night moisturize the area and sleep with socks on. Try NOT to get discouraged when showering as the skin will look worse before it gets better. This will allow the pigmentation to come back in. Take a before and after pic 3 weeks later. Good luck!
This was also recommended to me by a podiatrist I saw, but all this did was give me a terrible foot and ankle rash from sleeping with the cream and socks on. It also led to bleeding when I tried to scrub because it made the skin sensitive
Avatar universal
So my hypothesis:
- This may be stress induced
- This may be related to use of certain computer mousepads or other daily used gloves or material
- This may be water quality related, most of the US has crappy heavy crap in its water that remains residually in there even after all the filteration and cleanup they claim to do.

oh and good luck with a solution, nobody gives a flying melinda in the US healthcare community, they are just after getting super rich, almost all of them. Doctors do not have more than 10 mins for you, at best they will use a magnifier, and then guess-diagnose ya with eczema, then prescribe all kinds of stuff you can supposedly only get at the compound pharmacy downstairs at a good price, and nobody in 3 decades will even think of exploring this further or spending money to research it.

This is the sad reality of our healthcare system which cannot be fixed by any one president or party... lack of any bleeping incentive to find cures, to research on such mundane low level skin irritation. just live with it and deal with it and thats that.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
any updates? I also have this problem.
Avatar universal
no idea and im still fighting with it. i have found that using creams with acid in them like wart removers help to a degree... nothing else seems to help. all the doctors etc cant seem to get it through their heads its not a callous... and if it is it doesnt cut, shave, or pumice away and it comes back... its also not from being wet because i have gone weeks barefoot with no shoes and there is no change.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
What was it?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes I would like to know too as I have the same thing. - help! What is this???
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
did you ever get this figured out? i have the same thing!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
its more an issue with the way that area turns white. its not the whole heel of the foot its just a patch around the side. Not sure if its because there still is some callused skin there or if its just what damaged skin does when wet and I need to let it be for some time. Like i said before I have shaved so much there that it has caused bleeding. So I cant imagine there is more callused skin there.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
any updates?
563773 tn?1374246539
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,
For calluses,pls apply lots of moisturing lotion and vit E. Place protective covering or bandages over the sore to decrease friction on the skin until the sore heals. Rub sandpaper disks or pumice stone over hard thickened regions. Soak feet or hands in warm soapy water to soften calluses.Then rub with a pumice stone and apply some moisturizer.

If still the calluses persist,then pls go in for removal by surgical means or with keratolytic agents (medicines that break up hardened areas of skin). Shaving or cutting off the hardened area on the skin by a doctor is also helpful.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.Warm regards.


Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
More to the field of podiatrist.However may be to do with your arch of foot,or other foot morphology,footwear problems.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Dermatology Community

Top Dermatology Answerers
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Learn to identify and prevent bites from summer’s most common pests.
Doctors argue for legislation to curb this dangerous teen trend in the latest Missouri Medicine report.
10 ways to keep your skin healthy all winter long
How to get rid of lumpy fat on your arms, hips, thighs and bottom
Diet “do’s” and “don’ts” for healthy, radiant skin.
Images of rashes caused by common skin conditions