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Help 9s needed for dry cracked skin

Posted By Jua (Bangkok, Thailand) on 11/26/2011

For last one year, my foot appears to have some small round shape redish dry spots with cracks, healing automatically and spreading in larger extent than healing, causing pain and occasional slight itching. I did not consult doctor, but occasionally used vaseline or others, such as, cold cream, olive oil, warm water, etc, and found some comfort. For last three months, my palms are also slightly affected, while both the feet already got extensive cracks almost everywhere.

Finally, I showed my feet and palms to a doctor, who prescribed (normal) SALINE IRRIGATION for cleaning (with cotton) affected both feet and palms and use an ointment, DERLCA DERMOVATE 0.05% CREAM 5GM, and then rub EUCERIN PLXOC4-PH-5 LOTION 200 ML, all one by one with a waiting of 10 minutes. And continue the process during morning, noon and evening, and after bath or washing any time. I am very much worried, as no relief is in sight, rather, the affected areas are spreading slowly. With an intensive care of rubbing Eucerin lotion or Veseline Total Moisture Nourishing lotion as well as washing feet, I am just struggling to halt the further spreading of the cracks.

This has disrupted normal walking, wearing shoes or sandals and sitting with legs hanging or holding on the ground, and also working with hands, including fingering on the computer keyboard. After blood sugar examination, doctor said, I am almost pre-diabetic. Could anyone please help? Jua [jua(at)mcom(dot)com]

Replied by Claro (Washington, Dc) on 01/24/2012

Jua, it sounds like you have dishidrosis, which is a kind of eczema that presents on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. I had it very badly for a number of months. I couldn't even wash my hair by myself because the shampoo and the hair hurt my open hands. It helps to soak your hands and feet in very hot water (as hot as you can stand) with some hydrogen peroxide, apple cider vinegar, or tea tree oil in it. This will draw out toxins and also clean the wounds. Then keep the area clean and covered so that you are not dealing with the skin condition plus a secondary infection. This means putting on clean socks and clean cotton gloves.

You should also look for an underlying food allergy that is causing the condition. For me it was dairy products and also some types of fish. When I cut these foods out completely, my hands healed. But it definitely takes a few weeks once you cut out the food to see the difference in your skin. You don't see results overnight.

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