Introduction
A rash appearing on the foot can be due to various underlying causes. Eczema, a condition characterized by intense itching, is a possibility. Allergic reactions could develop when the skin of the feet encounters substances present in the shoe material or certain plants, leading to foot rashes. Foot rashes may also develop due to fungal infections like athlete's foot. The exact treatment for the foot rash depends on the cause, which an experienced healthcare professional could diagnose.
What Are the Types of Foot Rashes That Result From Infections?
Athlete’s foot, also called tinea pedis, is a fungal infection affecting the foot skin. It mainly affects the interdigital skin (skin between the toes). The affected skin becomes itchy, burning, red and leaves scales or fissures. It also affects the foot top, sole, and heel skin. The skin develops blisters or cracks when affected by this contagious infection.
Athlete’s foot is a ringworm infection that mainly affects those above 60 years. The risk for the disease increases if the patient has underlying conditions like diabetes (a metabolic disorder due to increased blood glucose or sugar levels), is obese, has weak immunity, or has a wound or cut on the skin that gradually gets infected.
The following are the main symptoms of athlete’s foot:
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Itchiness, stinging, or burning sensation.
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Development of blisters.
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Dry, cracked, or scaly appearance of the skin.
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Foot skin may peel off.
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Foot rashes.
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Red, gray, or purple skin discoloration due to inflammation.
The following steps can manage an athlete’s foot:
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Prescription or topical antifungal medication will relieve the infection and gradually the symptoms.
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Doctors may also prescribe antifungal pills to remove the infectious agent from the body.
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Since it is an infection, the affected individual should complete the course of antibiotic treatment, which will otherwise lead to the recurrence of the condition.
A viral infection affecting children, called hand, foot, and mouth disease, causes mouth sores and hand and foot rashes. Along with the dermatological symptoms, the child may develop fever, loss of appetite, and sore throat. The symptoms appear after three to six days of viral attack and start with a fever and sore throat. After about two days, mouth and throat sores may develop. It may be accompanied by foot and hand rashes. The symptoms may independently go away after seven to ten days. Topical oral anesthetics help relieve oral sores.
What Will Happen if Foot Rashes Due to Infections Are Left Untreated?
If left untreated, athlete’s foot can lead to the following complications:
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The infection may spread to the whole part of the foot skin.
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Open sores or blisters filled with fluids may develop on the foot skin.
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The foot produces a foul smell.
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It may affect the nails, leading to nail infections.
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Scratching the itchy skin with the hands may spread the disease to the hands.
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It may affect the groin, leading to jock itch, when the same towel is used on the groin and foot area.
These complications make preventing or treating an athlete’s foot essential.
The following measures can prevent athlete’s foot:
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Adopting foot hygiene measures by clipping the nails short, cleaning them, and washing and drying the feet regularly will be helpful.
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Barefoot walking should be reduced, or the foot should be cleaned well afterward.
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Public showers, swimming pools, or footbaths should be avoided, as they can cause or spread the infection.
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Footwear should be alternated between two to three days.
Can Allergy Cause Foot Rashes?
Contact dermatitis or eczema is an allergic reaction that irritates the skin when it comes in contact with substances that cause allergy. Dermatitis affects the feet when the feet' skin comes in touch with the substances in the shoes or footwear, leading to shoe contact dermatitis. Products in rubber materials, colorants, leather, adhesives, or other substances used in footwear can be the causative factor. Allergy, friction, tightness of the footwear, or heat worsens the symptoms.
The following are the symptoms of shoe contact dermatitis:
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Swelling.
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Symmetric foot rashes.
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Fluid-filled blisters.
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Cracks.
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Redness and irritation.
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Burning sensation.
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Pain and itchiness.
How to Control and Treat Shoe Contact Dermatitis?
The following measures help control shoe contact dermatitis:
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Reducing sweat using antiperspirants on the foot.
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Using footwear dyed with natural products.
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Using foam soles.
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Double socking helps reduce the contact of the skin to the allergen.
The primary method to treat shoe contact dermatitis is to stop using the footwear containing the allergens. Antihistamines and steroid medications relieve the symptoms. In case of infections, antibiotics may be prescribed by the doctor.
What Plants Causes Foot Rashes?
Pacific or western poison oak, eastern poison ivy, or poison sumac are poisonous plants that cause itching, irritation, and rashes when touching the foot's skin. It may take about two weeks for the foot rash to fade away. The sap of these plants contains a substance called urushiol, which is responsible for the symptoms.
It mainly affects farmers, hikers, campers, gardeners, forestry workers, and forest firefighters, as they are more likely to come in contact with such plants. Almost all individuals are allergic to urushiol and may develop redness, itchiness, rashes, and blisters when exposed.
The skin, clothes, and any material that contacts the plants should be washed thoroughly if affected. The individuals should also not touch the blisters or scratch the skin. Anti-itch creams and antihistamines will help relieve the symptoms.
Conclusion
Foot rashes can develop due to many reasons. Allergic reaction to the material used in footwear or shoes and contact with poisonous plants leads to dermatitis or skin inflammation, gradually leading to foot rashes. In addition, foot rashes can also be due to certain viral or fungal infections. When the cause is removed, the rashes fade away.
As a result, the treatment for foot rashes depends entirely on the etiological factors. Foot hygiene should be important, and washing and caring for the foot should be done regularly. Foot hygiene measures help reduce the chances of disease affecting the foot skin. In case of severe rashes, the individual should seek medical care.
