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What Causes Skin Peeling Of Feet And Thick Patches Of Dead Skin?
Question: I am a swim instructor and spend a lot of time in the water. a little while ago i started to realize that my skin on my feet was peeling extremely thick patches of dead skin, every time i worked in the poil it would get worse and worse. Eventually, the entire bottoms of my feet looked like enormous layers of dead skin (colourless). Although my sensation was diminished from the barrier of dead skin, the only pain or sensation issues were coming from the base of my toe nails, which seemed to be growing under the dead skin. i have peeled and exfoliated hours upon hours and removed enormoys amounts of dead skin... but the issue persists
Brief Answer:
Fungal infection.Follow some advice given.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for query.I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering query.
As you are swimmer you are prone for fungal infections due to continuous exposure to moisture.
As a clinician I would treat it as fungal infection with nail involvement.
Some advices:
Keep feet dry as much as possible as moisture precipitates infection.
Wipe dry after every water exposure.
Use antifungal dusting powders for prevention and to keep area dry
Topical antufungals like clotrimazole or miconazole can be used .
In addition keratolytic like salicylic acid (6%)creams can be used with it where peeling us more.
As nail involved you may need oral antifungals like terbinafine or itraconazole. They need long course of 12-16 weeks usually. Oral antifungals are not available over the counter. I urge you to visit a doctor and get it prescribed. This is the most important treatment.
Avoid tight shoes.wear cotton socks. Change it daily with powders.
Allow ventilation for it when not in water.
Nail topicals like ciclopirox may be better.
If pus in nail area you can even add oral antibiotics.
Please follow the advice on consultation of your doctor.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh.
Fungal infection.Follow some advice given.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for query.I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering query.
As you are swimmer you are prone for fungal infections due to continuous exposure to moisture.
As a clinician I would treat it as fungal infection with nail involvement.
Some advices:
Keep feet dry as much as possible as moisture precipitates infection.
Wipe dry after every water exposure.
Use antifungal dusting powders for prevention and to keep area dry
Topical antufungals like clotrimazole or miconazole can be used .
In addition keratolytic like salicylic acid (6%)creams can be used with it where peeling us more.
As nail involved you may need oral antifungals like terbinafine or itraconazole. They need long course of 12-16 weeks usually. Oral antifungals are not available over the counter. I urge you to visit a doctor and get it prescribed. This is the most important treatment.
Avoid tight shoes.wear cotton socks. Change it daily with powders.
Allow ventilation for it when not in water.
Nail topicals like ciclopirox may be better.
If pus in nail area you can even add oral antibiotics.
Please follow the advice on consultation of your doctor.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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