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
