sweaty feet, blisters on feet, corns, bunions, fungus

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Foot Blisters & Skin

1. Question:
My daughter has a small hard blister-like growth on the bottom of her foot. It is transparent and painful if squeezed or pushed on. Thought it might be a wart, but it doesn't look like any pictures that I have seen. Any ideas?

Dr. Karpati's Answer:
Every so often I come across a question that I wish I could answer sight unseen. This is one of them! There are so many different types of lumps and bumps that present on the feet that, without a visual, diagnosis is very difficult. I have seen some warts that appear more "transparent" than others, so it is not out of the question. There are also other lesions such as Porokeratosis that present similarly. Your daughter may have also stepped on something and could have a retained foreign body. Please refer to www.APMA.org and click on the "Find a Podiatrist" icon. Your daughter really should have this lesion evaluated.



2. Question:
I have a 5 yr old daughter and she has been suffering severly with dry cracked feet that hurt her so bad she is miserable.iI have tried putting neosporin and clean dry socks 2 times a day, i have tried covering her feet before bed with vaseline, then putting clean white socks on her...... i have tried epsom salt, peroxide, that stuff you put on that is a clear coat that is suppose to seal them and also almost everrything, please, please help us my little girl is miserable and i dont know what else to do!!!! i have also tried special expensive creams but her feet especially her big toes and her heels acctually almost her whole foot(feet) have major deep cracks...thank you

Dr. Karpati's Answer:
I am sorry to hear your little girl is suffering from this problem! Do not delay in seeing a podiatrist in your area for proper evaluation as dry, cracked feet may be a hereditary condition verses something of a fungal nature resulting in different treatments. A biopsy of the skin may be necessary for proper diagnosis. Please stop the use of peroxide and Epsom salt as both are VERY drying to the skin and may be exacerbating her condition.



3. Question:
I suffer from Morton's Neuroma. What is the best solution for the burning sensation I get. Thank you.

Dr. Karpati's Answer:
Supporting the foot to control the abnormal biomechanics causing your Morton’s neuroma and offloading the forefoot is the easiest conservative treatment for a true Morton’s neuroma. Please refer to www.faant.com online store to order the “Power Step metatarsal relief pads” (I believe it is #215 in our product line). This is a pad that helps to offload the forefoot to relieve the pressure under the ball of the foot. Please try this alone as well as in conjunction with an arch support (we have many available online as well.) Your choice of arch support would depend on what types of shoes you wear/activities you participate in. If this does not help, please appoint back to your podiatrist where further evaluation can be performed.



4. Question:
I am a 35 year old woman. I work everyday and my job involves standing for 8 hrs. a day. My feet are very dry and brittle. I use different foot creams also my feet are very dark at the bottom sometimes it looks as though I have leopard feet they have little dark circles on the bottom. What can I do?

Dr. Karpati's Answer:
There are a few products on my website that specifically address your problem with your feet. Please visit www.faant.com and go to the on-line store. On the left side you will see various conditions to choose from. Go to "dry and cracked skin". I really like the Hydrostat cream as I have used the product before. It does not feel greasy. Depending on the amount of dryness of your skin, you might also want to consider the Callex ointment which may be greasier but even more hydrating. Heel sleeves are also available to wear over night. A combination approach of lotion or ointment during the day and the heel sleeve at night might be best! As far as the little spots are concerned, you did not mention them itching, which could indicate an athlete's foot problem, or growing, which could be a more serious dermatological condition. They are probably nothing to worry about. If they change in their appearance or become painful, however, I would most definitely have them checked out.



5. Question:
I had a corn on my fifth toe. I use keralyt gel and the corn is now gone, but the skin in my toe where the corn was located has become discolored. Is there something I can use to bring the natural color back to the skin on my toe. I don't want to lighten the skin. I just want the natural color to return.

Dr. Karpati's Answer:
I think the best thing you can do is to wait it out. You did not mention how long ago you stopped using it. It may take a long time for your natural color to return. Mind you, skin color is rarely normal from the corn having been there so long, so you may never get the normal coloration back and there is no product that could “bring it back”.



6. Question:
I have always had the problem of developing blisters on my feet. Especially on my little toe and around my other toes. But really, I have blistered almost everywhere on the top of and on the sole of my feet at one time or another. What causes this, and What can I do about it?

Dr. Karpati's Answer:
If there is itching or dryness, flaking, and redness associated with the blisters, this could represent a chronic athlete’s foot infection. Try using over-the-counter Lamisil cream which needs to be used twice daily for one month. Any less than one month and you may continue to have recurrences. If you have already done this, please go to www.APMA.org to find a podiatrist in your area to have this properly evaluated.



7. Question:
I have a blister-like growth on the top of my 2nd toe (right at the cuticle-line of the nail). It's a gelatinous bump that's been there for quite awhile (several months). It's definitely not a blister, but that's what it looks like. If I push on it, it flattens for a minute or so, then puffs back up. I finally got the nerve to stick a pin in it (I know....not the smartest thing...). Clear gel-like stuff came out. A little blood too, but VERY little. I squeezed it fairly flat, but after about 10-15 minutes, it was puffed up again like before. It looks like another one might be popping up on the next toe, but is extremely small. I had a medical doctor look at it, and suggested I got to a podiatrist. But I've just been really curious about what it might be. Any ideas...?

Dr. Karpati's Answer:
This sound like a mucoid/mucous cyst to me. I know, the name sounds ugly, but this is simply a cyst formed from some fluid that has "herniated" from the toe joint that lies under the cuticle. Some times a cortisone injection zaps it and sometimes you need surgery to have it removed since they do like to recur.



8. Question:
Hi. I have a large blister on the BOTTOM of my heal. I'm not sure of the cause--I run and have been playing pick-up basketball the past couple months. How do I heal this blister and how can I prevent one from coming back? Thank you!

Dr. Karpati's Answer:
Dear Lindsey, Try to avoid popping the blister if it's not hurting. It should resorb in less than a week. If it is uncomfortable, the safest way to pop a blister is to soak a needle in rubbing alcohol for a few minutes then let it dry, or heat the tip of the needle until it glows red then allow it to cool. Swab your blister with betadine (you can get this at any drug store), then puncture the blister at the base in several areas and slowly drain out the fluid. Do not remove the excess skin. Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment (preferably Bacitracin which is also over- the- counter) then a large non-stick bandaid. Keep it covered and change regularly until the area has dried out and no more fluid accumulates. Watch for signs of redness, swelling or pus which indicates infection. If this occurs, please see a podiatrist who may place you on antibiotics. There are many sites on the web about blister prevention. A favorite site has tips from marathon runner themselves at http://www.ultrunr.com/footcare.html

Ask Dr. Karpati
If you would like to ask Dr. Karpati a footcare or podiatry-related question, simply fill out the form here. The majority of questions are answered within a few days. Medical conditions are fact-dependent, so in addition to Dr. Karpati's insights, it is important you consult with your personal physician before undergoing any footcare treatment.

Dr. Adriana Karpati is a trusted Summer Soles Advisor and frequently tests Summer Soles products before they are brought to the public. Her practice is located in Grapevine, Texas. For more information, visit: www.faant.com