HOT!

Yesterday was the region's hottest day in four years!  No doubt about it. No matter what you are doing inside or outside be aware of your total water intake.  Try to get that suggested "8 glasses of water" a day.  This will certainly double if working outside!  This is especially for children and elderly though the total volume will be less, the regular hydration is the key.

This has nothing to do with feet. But hydration effects all tissues and we loose water from all surface areas. Sunscreen and cream-based lotions (NOT GREASE) remain essential this time of year.

As mentioned before about athlete's feet, Be sure to disinfect all shoes with an agent such as Lysol or alcohol even after washing. 30 minutes in the sunlight on the deck or porch will aid in the destruction of odor producing bacteria and limit fungus growth as well.

Have a safe summer yet.

Spring is in the Air!

It has been quite slow this year but it is trying to settle in.  As you look forward to getting outside and working on the garden, doing your daily walks, perhaps thinking about the pool or the beach, I wanted to discuss something that is very common and is erroneously lumped into just “dry skin”.

On the feet and the legs we all have periods of dry skin.  Sometimes it’s worse in the winter and for others summer or year round. The following are quite common:

Atopic Dermatitis (eczema): This is one form of common dry skin but it can be persistent and very uncomfortable. The symptoms are:

·         Itching, which may be severe, especially at night

•Red to brownish-gray patches, especially on the hands, feet, ankles, wrists, neck, upper chest,   eyelids, inside the bend of the elbows and knees

•Small, raised bumps, which may leak fluid and crust over when scratched

•Thickened, cracked, dry, scaly skin

•Raw, sensitive, swollen skin from scratching

Contact Dermatitis: is very common as it suggests from touching a triggering agent. It can be from anything that you are allergic or sensitive to or from frequent small exposures to any everyday household products or chemicals for disinfection or yard work.

Symptoms are:

    •Red rash or bumps

    •Itching, which may be severe

    •Dry, cracked, scaly skin, if your condition is chronic

    •Blisters, draining fluid and crusting, if your reaction is severe

    •Swelling, burning or tenderness

The severity of the rash depends on:

    •How long you're exposed

    •The strength of the substance that caused the rash

    •Environmental factors, such as temperature, airflow and sweating from wearing gloves

    •Your genetic makeup, which can affect how you respond to certain substances

  

Tinea (Fungus):  Very common and frequently perplexing condition of the feet and in some cases the hand, scalp and groin. In the foot it is seen from continuous moist environments such as work boots, swimming gear, and Jacuzzi areas; however, even if the moisture is later controlled, once it is in the skin it can be very difficult to resolve. One is often frustrated because he/she has been using bottles and bottles of lotion or balms and the cracking and itching doesn’t go away months on end.  The symptoms are:

• ·         Scaly red rash that typically begins in between the toes
• ·         Itching is often the worst right after you take off your shoes and socks.
• ·         Blisters or ulcers.
• ·         Moccasin pattern that extends up the sides of the feet. It can be mistaken for eczema or even as dry skin.

These three conditions are not nearly all the conditions that cause chronic dry skin. Episodic changes can occur with periods of colds, fevers, short or long term use of a medication such as antibiotics or arthritic medication or chemotherapy.  In short, if over the counter products are not effective in two weeks, consult your health care provider.  A prescription may be needed.  As well in order to get the correct product a complete list of all previously used products and medication is needed, incidental exposures or unusual travel and a biopsy may be needed.  If still a resolution is not obtained in several more weeks a series of allergy tests may be required.

Have a great Spring and Summer!

Ref: Mayo Clinic at http://www.mayoclinic.org

Winter is here.  Although it has been unusually mild this season so far, I wanted to review two things that are risks if we get cold and stay cold: Chilblains and Frostbite. What are they?

Chilblains (CHILL-blayns) are the painful inflammation of small blood vessels in your skin that occur in response to repeated exposure to cold but not freezing air. Also known as pernio, chilblains can cause itching, red patches, swelling and blistering on your hands and feet.

Chilblains usually clear up within one to three weeks, especially if the weather gets warmer. You may have recurrences seasonally for years. Treatment involves protecting yourself from the cold and using lotions to ease the symptoms. Chilblains don't usually result in permanent injury. But the condition can lead to infection, which may cause severe damage if left untreated.

The best approach to chilblains is to avoid developing them by limiting your exposure to cold, dressing warmly and covering exposed skin.

Frostbite- although usually discussed generically, there are actually four stages. Most people only experience stage 1 because you will naturally want to come out of the cold if outside long enough; however, under neglected circumstances or instances of neuropathy as in diabetics, stroke victims, or alcoholics the later stages can occur.

Stages of frostbite:

1.) Frostnip is mild frostbite that irritates the skin, causing redness, prickling and a cold feeling followed by numbness. Does not permanently damage the skin and can be treated with first-aid measures. May produce chilblains symptoms and with repeat incidences the recurrence that condition that is chilblains.

2.) Superficial frostbite your skin feels warm, a sign of serious skin involvement. A fluid-filled blister may appear 24 to 36 hours after rewarming the skin.

3.) Deep frostbite you may experience numbness. Joints or muscles may no longer work. Large blisters form 24 to 48 hours after rewarming. Afterward, the area turns black and hard as the tissue dies.

4.) Bone and tendon death

Please go to MayoClinic.org for further reading.  © 1998-2016 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved.

Worth a look!

https://youtu.be/S8ncSP8ozvg

If you need a foot exam before committing to an exercise program just call me.

Be well.