itchy blistering toes

for over a year now  i have had sever itching, blistering and cracking of the skin between my toes and on the balls of my left foot only.  it all started during the summer over a year ago, on my left foot between the 2nd and 3rd toe i had some itching and cracking, i thought it might be athletes foot so i started to use the creams and spray in my socks and directly on my foot.  it help for a short while then everything subsided for about 3 months.  after that 3 months it came back but worse, now my toe nails starting with my small toe to the 4th toe have all but almost lost the nail the itching has increased, along with blistering, and cracking of the skin.  I have not been able to to loss of job go to the doctor and have been treating with fungal creams but nothing seems to work.  is there something that can help it seems to be getting worse now.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to fungal infection of the feet(tinea pedis) or dyshidrotic eczema. Treatment for both is entirely different. Steroids and emollients used in eczema may worsen the symptoms if the condition is fungal in nature. You should get an examination and KOH examination of the skin scrapings done to confirm the diagnosis.

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.