Rash on Foot

[LynchMR]

I have itchy red bumps that showed up on the sole of my foot 2 weeks ago.  I began using an athlete's foot anti-fungal cream which appeared to be helping.  The red bumps went away and left a slight pinkish appearance where the bumps were.  I continued using the cream, however, a few days later, a new bump appeared.  It also looks like all of the bumps are connected by a ridge and are spreading in a line.

The bumps become tender when I am in the shower and seem to get irritated when I wear shoes for an extended period of time.  

The new bump that appeared 3 days ago already looks like it is going away, however, I am concerned that the rash will continue to flare up every few days.

The rash does not appear serious since it is only slightly red and only itchy when wet and sometimes at night.  There is no skin peeling or other discoloration. I do not have a fever or any other obvious symtoms.

My initial feelings were that this was a form of athlete's foot since I go to the gym several times a week and I am often barefoot in the locker room.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

This sounds more like dyshidrotic eczema than fungus.  This forn of eczema has no cause and is not allergic.  It's really just a mild annoyance, and you don't really need to treat it.  If you find these bumps itchy or bothersome, you can apply hydrocortisone cream, or else see a doctor for a prescription for a somewhat stronger steroid cream.  If the condition doesn't go away or get better, you may want to see a skin doctor for diagnosis.  But either way, I don't think the gym has anything to do with it.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

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[tinkspixedust]

On the top of my feet and the bottom part of my ankles and legs I have this redish splotchy looking rash.  It doesnt itch or hurt it just looks weird and you can not feel it by touch.
My doctor says its nothing, well how can something be nothing?
Its not vericose vains either.

Does anyone have any ideas of what it might be?

Christin
***@****

[tredilla]

My son has a rash on the top of his feet that burns. I would like to know what I can do with it. It is starting to spread up to his ankles.

[katerika]

I had a strange rash on the sole of my feet. It seemed to come out of nowhere.  I had this constant itching. It turned out to be Contact dermatitis,an allergic reaction to the adhesive in my shoes. Once your shoe gets wet or sweaty it releases the chemical. PTBP or P-Tert- Butylphenol Formaldehyde resin. Try getting new shoes, and see if it helps. I had to get patch tests to discover what it was. I did have contact dermatitis from Band-Aids and thought I had a latex allergy, and it turned out to be adhesives.

[LynchMR]

Thank you doctor.  Do you think there is a possibility that it could also be creeping eruption or something similiar?

Your thoughts of eczema make sense, however, the pattern of raised red lines connecting the bumps made me think that it could be a parasite burrowing through the skin.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Creeping eruption presents as  serpentine line, not as individual bumps.  In any case, creeping eruption goes away by itself.

Dr. Rockoff