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