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What Causes Chapping And Cracking Of The Feet?

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Posted on Mon, 30 Jun 2014
Question: I am 50 year old post menopausal black woman. I think I have Acquired plantar keratoderma I have taken oral lamisil and ketoconzole. No improvement. It's thick cracking on the sole of my arch if foot. Is yellow. I soak a lot in different things including acv. I have it on both feet. For several years. It itches at night. What can I do? I do have a history of eczema. My feet seem to sweat also. But not real bad. XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Start oral retinoids along with topicals

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic

I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your query and I have understood it.

Extreme dryness can lead to chapping and cracking of the feet. People who are atopic have inherited low water retentive capacity in there skin which leads to increased trans-epidermal water loss into the atmosphere, specially when the weather is dry and cold in winters.

Repeated washing with soaps exacerbates the condition leading to painful cracks and fissures.

It is advisable to apply a good moisturiser as frequently as possible. Moisturisers specially those that contain hygroscopic and keratoloytic agents like ammonium lactate, urea, lactic acid, glycerine and hyaluronic acid are specially useful in these patients.

Moisturisers should be applied as frequently as possible. I usually ask my patients who are severely affected by dry, scaly and cracked skin to mix (in equal proportions) a potent steroid like clobetasol cream with the moisturiser and apply at least twice daily.

One particular brand of moisturiser which I prefer for application on hands and fee, is the one containing ammonium lactate 12% marketed by Ranbaxy in XXXXXXX I usually ask my patients to mix it with equal quantity of a potent steroid cream and apply it twice daily for 2-4 weeks. Once the condition improves with this combination after 2-4 weeks only moisturisers alone would suffice.

Besides this, for severe cracking and fissuring, I usually start my patients on oral retinoids, which is the most effective remedy in plantar keratoderma. They bring about rapid improvement in the thick cracked fissured skin of the keratodermas. Oral retinoids (Acitretin OR Isotretinoin) are prescription drugs.

For itching you could take an OTC oral antihistamine e,g cetrizine 10mg once daily in the evening

hope this answer your query

take care
regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (19 minutes later)
Can any of these be purchased online in us
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Plantar keratoderma

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Oral retinoids are a prescription drugs and covered under iPLEDGE program, therefore you need to get a prescription for it.

Regards
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Kakkar

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 9612 Questions

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What Causes Chapping And Cracking Of The Feet?

Brief Answer: Start oral retinoids along with topicals Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your query and I have understood it. Extreme dryness can lead to chapping and cracking of the feet. People who are atopic have inherited low water retentive capacity in there skin which leads to increased trans-epidermal water loss into the atmosphere, specially when the weather is dry and cold in winters. Repeated washing with soaps exacerbates the condition leading to painful cracks and fissures. It is advisable to apply a good moisturiser as frequently as possible. Moisturisers specially those that contain hygroscopic and keratoloytic agents like ammonium lactate, urea, lactic acid, glycerine and hyaluronic acid are specially useful in these patients. Moisturisers should be applied as frequently as possible. I usually ask my patients who are severely affected by dry, scaly and cracked skin to mix (in equal proportions) a potent steroid like clobetasol cream with the moisturiser and apply at least twice daily. One particular brand of moisturiser which I prefer for application on hands and fee, is the one containing ammonium lactate 12% marketed by Ranbaxy in XXXXXXX I usually ask my patients to mix it with equal quantity of a potent steroid cream and apply it twice daily for 2-4 weeks. Once the condition improves with this combination after 2-4 weeks only moisturisers alone would suffice. Besides this, for severe cracking and fissuring, I usually start my patients on oral retinoids, which is the most effective remedy in plantar keratoderma. They bring about rapid improvement in the thick cracked fissured skin of the keratodermas. Oral retinoids (Acitretin OR Isotretinoin) are prescription drugs. For itching you could take an OTC oral antihistamine e,g cetrizine 10mg once daily in the evening hope this answer your query take care regards