Rash On Feet
Top Reasons for the Rash on Your Feet
Anyone who spends a good deal of the day standing knows the complications that can arise when you have a rash on your feet. Bearing the weight of our entire bodies, the feet assume a high responsibility, and the burning and itching that a rash can make for a miserable day.
The feet are the very foundation of our being. Enabling the body to move around, supporting our weight and balance, the two feet play a vital role in our everyday life that the majority of people take for granted. It isn’t until a problem arises that these valiant troopers receive the attention they so richly deserve. There are a number of foot conditions that can occur, especially when preventative care is not a regular regimen. Ailments can range from plantar fasciitis to bunions to athlete’s foot. The one thing that all foot problems have in common is that they can certainly take the bounce out of your step. Rashes may seem to be the least significant of all foot issues, yet any one of them could become quite serious if left untreated.
A condition commonly known as athlete’s foot is most often the culprit behind an itchy, burning rash on your feet. Caused by a fungus, tinea pedis is a highly contagious foot condition that can travel to other parts of the body such as the groin. As with most fungus, it thrives in warm, moist conditions. Public gyms, swimming areas and locker rooms provide the perfect environment for passing this fungus from person to person with abandon. Symptoms that will indicate the presence of this unpleasant condition are red, painful cracks between the toes and on the bottom of the feet, a disagreeable odor and itching. Treating the athlete’s foot will require keeping the feet dry by wearing absorbent socks and breathable shoes, using commercial preparations designed to fight the fungus and avoiding the areas that are known to harbor the invading element.
A recurring rash on your feet could indicate that you may have dyshidrotic eczema. This form of eczema has no known direct causes, but is thought by some researchers to be a genetic disorder. Others believe it be an allergic reaction, with elements such as cobalt, nickel and balsam among the suspected triggers. In addition to the feet, this eczema can also affect the palms of the hands. Small blisters that cause uncontrollable itching form on the skin; rooted deeply in the epidermis. The blisters ooze fluid and then form crusty lesions that are painful during the healing process. Profuse sweating of the affected areas makes the already uncomfortable blisters and scabs even more discomforting. Allowing the feet to be exposed to the air will alleviate the moisture of the sweat from aggravating the condition further, as well as wearing cotton socks and avoiding allergens.
Dermatosis and dermatitis are two common ailments that cause tender, painful feet for many individuals. One, called Juvenile Plantar Dermatosis, occurs mainly in young teens and preteens who habitually wear sneakers and suffer from allergies and eczema. For young people who often have overactive sweat glands, excessive sweating of the feet in the sneakers can trigger the development of the dermatosis with a resulting rash. Most other forms of dermatitis are considered to be contact in nature, occurring in those who have allergies to particular materials such as leather, rubber, formaldehyde and glues.
Having a good foundation is important in most phases of life, and our feet are no exception. Any rash on your feet will create havoc, restricting the free movement that most take for granted in everyday activities. Providing good care for your feet before any problems arise will help you to take your life in stride.