Dry and Cold Feet
Question: The soles of my feet get very dry, scaly and itchy, particularly in summer. Sometimes there are tiny pimples present at the sides of the foot. Fungicidal creams do not help. What is it and how should it be treated?
Dyshidrosis (also known as pompholyx) is the condition that fits your description. It is a form of eczema that is associated with excessive sweating (feet sweat in shoes), but may also be aggravated by anxiety, stress, fungal infections and chemicals that contact the area.
The small vesicles that develop are often described as small boiled rice grains under the skin. If the cause of the problem can be removed (eg. wear sandals instead of shoes to reduce sweating) the condition will slowly resolve, but often the cause cannot be determined and it is necessary to use various medications to control the itching and irritation. Potassium permanganate foot baths are messy but effective. Other treatments include steroid creams and steroid tablets in severe cases.
Question: I suffer constantly from cold feet, mainly when in bed, and have been told it is a medical problem. I await your comments.
Cold feet are usually due to poor circulation of blood to that area. If insufficient warm blood reaches your feet, they will feel cold, and may be white or blue, and painful. In older people, hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), heart failure and diabetes are the main causes of poor circulation, while in younger people, spasm of an artery may be responsible. Raynaud’s phenomenon is a condition in which arteries go into spasm, narrow down, and fail to supply adequate blood to the hands or feet, which become cold and painful.
As you can see, a number of conditions may be responsible for your problem. You will need to be investigated to determine which problem is affecting you. Once this is known, the appropriate treatment can be given to cure or control the disease.
Tags: dry feet, Foot Care, foot problems, swelling feet