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Suggest Treatment For Hard Skin Under Toe Caused By Cellulitis

Posted on Sat, 23 Jan 2016

Question: I've felt like there's a string or thread in between my big toe and second toe for a few days and now there's a hardening on the bottom of my foot between those toes. What is this? That area also hurts if I'm walking barefoot.

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Could be skin injury or infection and callosities

Detailed Answer:
Hi there.

Thanks for the query.

It is possible that you may have injured the skin between the first two toes due to footwear. Other possibility could be nerve injury especially if you are Diabetic and experience any pins and needless sensation. The hardening could be callosities due to improper footwear, barefoot walking. Apply Lactocalalamine lotion or other moisturising lotion to this region. If there is skin injury, you may apply ice indirectly via a plastic covering in between. Take pain killers like Tablet Diclofenac 75mg twice a day for 5 days after meals. Keep the area dry, avoid sweat accumulation and sunlight exposure. Avoid barefoot walking.

I hope I have answered your query.

I will be available to answer your follow up queries.

Regards,

Dr. Aashish Raghu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (28 hours later)

None of these things sound even remotely possible. I do not wear shoes that would hurt my feet, nor am I diabetic. This came on suddenly. For two days I noticed the string between the toes sensation...there was no hardening of my foot beneath the area. On day three, there was a hardening knot-like thing on the bottom of my foot between the big toe and toe number two. The string sensation has stopped but not the hardening or the pain in the area.

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Soft footwear, Moisturiser and foot hygiene

Detailed Answer:
It could be a nerve bundle swelling and it will subside on its own with some measures.
Kindly switch to more comfortable footwear and soft inner soles made of silicon. You could apply moisturising cream or lotion to the area of hardening. You can take tablet of Diclofenac which can reduce the swelling if any.
Let me assure you that this will subside as you rest and measures

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (5 hours later)

I wear mostly athletic footwear...extremely comfortable and supportive and forgiving. I don't know what you'd want me to switch to. Also, maybe I wasn't clear: the hardening is not a callous, it's under the skin. This conversation really hasn't been any help, but that YYYY@YYYY for your time.

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Needs an ultrasound of you think it's a nodule under the skin

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome back.

If you think it is a nodule under the skin, you could get an ultrasound to note the contents.

Once the nature of the swelling is understood, the respective treatment can be tailored accordingly.

Further queries are most welcome.

Regards

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee