By Pat from RI
Hi folks, Enough said above. Here is what you need to do.
1. Go to a dermatologist.
2. Before you make an appointment, find out if the dermatologist treats feet with rash, fungus or what ever problem you are having with your feet. Not all dermatologists are specialized in the same field.
3. When you get there, pay attention. Before any treatment is prescribed, the dermatologist should take a sample of your skin and send it to a lab for testing to diagnose the correct infection. If that is not being done, tell the dermatologist politely to have a sample of the infected area sent to a lab for testing. The reason why this is important. They are several types of feet infections that look the same and all the cures are different.
I have this problem also. Last summer I had a rash on one of my feet for most of the summer. Then this spring as soon as I started wearing flip-flops and flats it flared up. The rash is red, very itchy at times and almost blistered. I used a high strength hydrocortisone, but it didn't seem to do much.
My doctor and I finally figured out (I hope!) that it's actually photosensitivity (a reaction to the sun). She thought I might have had a sunburn on that foot at one time. I also take high blood pressure medication (a diuretic) that can cause photosensitivity. I've been wearing socks or sunscreen for a few days now and it's improving a lot.
I had a red itchy rash only on the tops of both feet for 6 months. Nothing I tried worked to stop the itch. I finally went to a dermatologist and he diagnosed it as an allergic reaction to the leather straps of my very expensive sandals. I own another pair that I wore all last year with no problems, but the newer pair apparently has something different in the leather.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I have persistent and very itchy rash on the top of both feet. This may be called a friction sore if it oozes and is aggravated by wearing shoes.
This started as a tiny insect-like bite on the top of my right foot a year ago. It itched like crazy and when I scratched it the sore increased to the size of 50c. I got some relief with triamcinolone acetonide cream .01% prescribed by a podiatrist, but didn't completely heal the sore.
After a few months the sore "magically" appeared on the top of my left foot, where it has been for over a year now. A dermatologist prescribed flucoinonide cream .05% and it seemed to clear up after a few days, but never healed completely.
Ethyl alcohol in hand sanitizer products will control the itching temporarily. I try not to scratch as this usually results in oozing and makes wearing shoes difficult.
I am still searching for the magical product that will completely heal these sores.
By Chagrined from Chagrin Falls, OH
I have the same thing but it is on both index fingers, itches like crazy! I thought it was a food allergy because my friend had it every time she ate acidic foods.
Benadryl or another antihistamine should help; I am allergic to them so I use Calamine lotion. It might help some but not a lot. Also keep them very clean and dry, maybe use a little antifungal powder, but not the cream as that makes it itch more. Drinking a lot of water also seems to help, and yes the sun makes it much worse. Good luck.
I used to have that kind of a rash. It's a foot fungus. It happened because I wasn't changing socks every day and changing which shoes I wore each day.
I had a mysterious itchy rash on my lower legs (not my feet). Used chilled Bragg organic apple cider vinegar 3 or 4 x a day for about 4 days & it helped. Told a friend who had the same problem & it worked for her also. I think any brand apple cider vinegar would do the same. Hope it works for you.
If any of these suggestions don't work for you I have one more thing you might want to try. My sister swears by it. That is Preparation H cream rub it on at night and put on a pair of white socks. Try it for a few days and see if it helps. I hope you find a cure soon.
Have you considered whether it could the fabric in the shoes, or maybe dye, or something else about the shoes you are wearing? Maybe even the socks you are wearing? Even if it has never happened before, it is possible.
I have a rash on the top of my left foot that started about 1 month ago! It began as a small bump that started to itch! I really thought it was just a bug bite until I noticed it growing larger the more I would scratch!
I noticed a few minutes ago that it's starting to puss Can anyone please help? Is there something I can use to relieve the itch, at least.
It is always best to consult a doctor when you have an unexplained rash but there are different solutions you can try in the meantime.
Are you wearing new shoes? Sometimes you can have a reaction to the type of material that shoe is made of - particularly leather.
I would suggest you visit your local pharmacist and ask for someone to take a look at the rash and see what they have to say. They will definitely advise you to see if a doctor if, in their opinion, it cannot clear up with OTC medication or DIY home remedies.
There are several types of rashes it could be but since we do not know where you might have been walking it would be difficult to pin point a reason/name for your rash.
One solution the may help remove the pus and relieve the itching is a Epsom Salt bath.
This can be done immediately and repeated several times a day (reheating the same water. Water should be as hot as you can stand (but NOT hot enough to burn).
Here is a link that has information on this 'soak'.
The salt bath will help even if the rash is from a fungus, poison ivy, bug/spider bite.
Hope you can find something to help.
www.healthline.com/
www.medicalnewstoday.com/
It is difficult to pinpoint exactly what is causing skin itching, it can be a common allergic reaction to skin care products or some kind of medication. But some rashes are a sign of something more serious.
You do not write how you feel. If you have a fever or pain accompanying the rash, then it could be a sign that you have an infection or are experiencing an allergic reaction. This is a reason to seek medical attention.
You rash started about 1 month ago - this is really long. This is another reason to visit doctor.
Rashes that start to blister should send you straight to the doctors office too, unless you have good reason to suspect youve come in contact with poison ivy.
Or maybe you have Impetigo.
Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection. Symptoms include red, itchy sores that break open and leak a clear fluid or pus for a few days. Next, a crusty yellow or "honey-colored" scab forms over the sore, which then heals without leaving a scar.
But only a doctor can accurately answer this question.
I have this itchy rash on the top of my foot. It looks like tiny bumps and it itches a lot. It came up overnight, can anyone tell me what this could be?
By Daisy A.
Be sure to wear all cotton socks and use Bag Balm on it. My husband had this problem and the all cotton socks and Bag Balm worked.
Have you been wearing sandals with metal against the foot (from holding on a flower, beads, or any other design feature). It may be a metal allergy. I am allergic to metals and cannot wear many sandals because of this problem.
I have some weird rash on my foot. At first I got it on my left foot and it was only a couple of bumps that were red and itchy. Now I have it in my right foot and there are many bumps all together and it is red all around. It is only in one specific area.
My left foot seems to be clearing up, my right one is just super itchy and red. In the picture the one with only a few bumps is my left foot and the one that is super red is my right foot.
It looks uncomfortable! It could be any one of a host of possible issues. If you've been outside it could be chiggers or the result of some other insect bite or poison ivy/oak/sumac. If you have pets it could be fleas. Or it could be something like scabies, impetigo, a fungal infection, or an allergic reaction to something. Your best option is to go see a Dr for evaluation/ treatment if you do not know what it is. For sure if it is spreading!!
I have a red rash on my foot. At first I thought it was athlete's foot. After three weeks of treatment with Lotrimin there is no improvement. In fact it seems to be spreading. It burns, but does not itch. The skin varies in color from red dots to red flaking skin to red dots on smooth skin. What might this be and how do I get rid of it? Thanks
By MB
You don't say where you live... so if in Canada, with free health insurance: go see your doctor. If elsewhere with expensive health care: ask your pharmacist. If you don't want to show him/her your foot, take a picture of the rash and ask them for their opinion of what it might be and what you should do to get rid of it. Could be poison ivy (which I have on my hands right now). Sounds like my rash.
I had a red rash on one foot for quite a while. Nothing helped. Finally I decided it was the socks I was wearing. I started to soak my foot in salt water everyday, & within a few days the rash disappeared.
I have a severe rash all over my feet; it itches so badly I take the skin right off my feet. It's both on the top and bottom. I thought athletes foot was just on the bottoms of feet and between toes, so I'm wondering what it might be.
By Renzo
Perhaps it's time to go to a doctor to make sure it's not a sign of a serious health problem!
Go to a doctor. This is not the sort of thing you solve by asking people on the net.
Athletes foot is fungal, so it is systemic and could easily spread. Have you tried soaking your feet in epsom salts or a vinegar-water solution, neither would hurt and they might alleviate the itch. I'd use tea tree oil on them also--as it will take care of fungal issues and can help heal just about anything. Are you by any chance allergic to something your feet have come into contact with, walked through poison ivy, gone to a locker room without flip-flops, worn socks/shoes with a different product make-up, changed detergents, etc? I one time threw an entire mango into my morning smoothie (I have a high speed blender), not realizing that mangos are in the poison ivy family and you shouldn't eat the skin. I broke out in a horrible rash and itched so bad--nothing would releive it. It lasted for weeks. After an internet search I realized what I did, but for over 2 years, I could not eat a bite of mango without breaking out in the rash again. This can be so frustrating.
Can any1 help dont knw what it is
I have a red rash on the tops of my feet and shins. It began on one foot
then it migrated to the other. It does not itch nor is it scaly. It does
I get a rash when I wear non-cotton socks. My ankles get very dry, crusty and even bleed. The only cure for me is all cotton socks or sock-less. One foot is worse than the other. I've tried cortisone creams, calamine lotion, nothing works too well.
Since it is spreading on your body it's time to see a doctor! There could be underlying health issues causing the rash!
I got an infection from a pedicure. I went to the doctor and he had no idea what it was. In fact, he said it wasn't from the pedicure since it was only on my legs and not my feet. I'd recently shaved my legs. I researched online and someone told me to try the medication used for jock itch. This is no joke; the rash was gone in a couple of days. Not saying don't go to the doctor, but they don't always know the answer.
I would go to see a podiatrist.
I have had this rash on my ankle going on 3 months. It started out just as an itchy spot, now it's oozing almost blister like and spreading. I have 2 spots now on the foot with the ankle rash, a spot on the opposite foot and now the back of my calves. It seems as if scratching spreads it.
I've been to the Dr. I've used cortisone cream, Neosporin, ketoconzol cream, and clindamycin. Nothing works. In fact seems to be getting worse and it's another month before I can get into the dermatologist. Please help!
I would cover it with gauze to keep it from spreading. You need prescription medicine. Maybe find another dermatologist who can see you sooner.
You have 3 options:
1. Ask your PCP if you can get in sooner since it is getting worse.
2. Ask your PCP is if you can have access to a tele-derm appointment. This is where the doctor sees you in a secure live chat--usually done at a PCP office, sometimes an ER and they examine you virtually.
This is becoming a very popular way to get are in areas where there are derm shortages. Be sure to ask your insurance company FIRST to make sure 1. that it would be covered and 2. how much it will cost (some charge you both the doctor AND the hospital fees for tele medicine). Some just charge a regular co-payment.
3. If #2 is not an option, ask the PCP if you would get a dermatology consult at your local emergency room. I know many cities have shortages in dermatologists so the ER may or may not help. I rarely suggest ER visits because the co-payments are so high ERs are generally for emergencies..but this is concerning.
Having had 2 family members who had things that looked like this that turned out to be MRSA, I get concerned.
Post back with an update! Prayers for healing!!!
Did anyone find out what this was? Mine is very similar and hoping my doctor gave me the right stuff
I have had an itchy rash on my ankle since around April of this year. In the last 6 or 8 weeks it's started to ooze and spread. I went to the doctor and was prescribed Clindamycin 150mg 2 tab 4x daily for 1 week and ketoconzol cream.
I have about 2 days of RX left and the rash is even worse I believe! Please help!
You need to contact the doctor. It looks infected. You may want to see a dermatologist.
I have had this rash on the top of my foot for about two weeks. I have been on antibiotics for a week. It is getting larger and spreading up the ankle.
Dermatologist would be a good start. And trying to remember what caused the rash - touching something, eating something, a specific piece of clothing or shoe. Washing with soap and water 2-3 x /day. If not caused by poison ivy or poison oak, perhaps trying Vic's Vapo rub on the rash. The menthol will kill off most bacteria, viruses, and many fungal infections; the vaseline like paste will help to suffocate a pathogen. If that is not available, perhaps oil of Oregano - just a drop or two rubbed over the area.
Could anyone help me identify this rash, please? It started on my shin and migrated to my foot. It doesn't hurt or burn, but itches sometimes. I have put anti-fungal med on it but it doesn't appear to respond.
By B. from NY, NY
You should probably consult a doctor, being the anti-fungal cream doesn't help.
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
I have had a problem with my feet for a few months now and I need help, I get bad itchy skin on the tops of my feet...
Hi There! My name is Vannesa and I'm new! This is a great site. I have had a problem with my feet for a few months now and I need help, I get bad itchy skin on the tops of my feet, after I scratch the the itch it gets worse until I break the skin and bleed, Only then the itch stops for a few days then returns.
