Pityriasis versicolor 24. Corynebacterium-associated skin infections. Probe taking with a swab and lab analysis for the identification of the causing bacteria, Skin scraping in case there is a suspicion of infection caused by different types of fungi. solar keratosis), Fordyce To get rid of pitted keratolysis, you should avoid wearing tight shoes and socks. Almost all lesions were seen on the pressure-bearing skin of the sole. The treatments consist either of topical or oral antibiotics. ), Walling, HW. 24. I HAVE HAD THIS FOR 10 PLUS YEARS. Thank you. This is the most common symptom. right and good speakers. This section provides a quick diagnostic and treatment guide in the (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({ This can help them find out what kind of bacteria is causing your pitted keratolysis.. Dont miss out on todays top content on Dermatology Advisor. Pitted keratolysis is caused by a cutaneous infection with Kytococcus sedentarius 13), Dermatophilus congolensis 14) and the Corynebacterium species 15). readers, especially in skin of colour: Copyright 1994 - 2021 The Primary Care Dermatology Society. There are a few risk factors associated with pitted keratolysis such as excessively sweaty feet that are not kept dry, not wearing socks, or sharing of towels. Treatment options are summarized in Table I. Pitted keratolysis is typically localized to the feet, specifically, the soles of the feet. It is an acquired, chronic, superficial bacterial infection . National Library of Medicine (US). learning points & advise them to attend too" GP Molluscum contagiosum 19. Your healthcare provider will diagnose pitted keratolysis after reviewing your complete medical history and performing a physical exam to learn more about your symptoms. Angelica Bottaro is a professional freelance writer with over 5 years of experience. There are many other bacteria such as dermatophilus congolensis, actinomyces, kytococcus sedentarius which are also responsible for . Pitted keratolysis, erythromycin, and hyperhidrosis. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 1996. pp. Small indentations, or "pits," appear in areas where the condition has settled, and you may have itching or. However, it is advisable to maintain good personal hygiene. Read on to learn more about what it is, how its diagnosed, treatment, and more. Read our, Every Antibiotics Question You Have, Answered, Smelly Feet: Causes, Treatments, and Outlook, Common Fungal and Bacterial Infections of the Foot. Statement Policy, Data It can affect the palms of the hands and, more commonly, the soles of the feet, particularly the . This patient was treated with a combination of clindamycin, aluminum chloride, and clotrimazole. Patches / plaques (larger flat or flat-topped lesions) The diagnosis is clinical. Pitted keratolysis is a condition characterized by superficial erosions and 1 to 3 mm discrete crateriform pits along the sole of the foot due primarily to prolonged bromhidrosis.1 Although typically asymptomatic . 2008 Sep; 47(9):884-90. Is Keratolysis contagious? training in dermatology. Some research suggests that pitted keratolysis is most commonly found in people who work in specific industries where people often have wet feet or have to wear occlusive footwear. It is commonly associated with sweaty feet. It is one of the causes of smelly feet. 2014;27(2):101-104. doi:10.1111/dth.12064. doi:10.4081/dr.2012.e4. The pitted keratolysis is secondary to the hyperhidrosis. Military Medicine. 47. Either the forefoot or the heel or both become white with clusters of punched-out pits. The Licensed Content is the property of and copyrighted by DSM. Disclaimer - the author PCDS cannot accept responsibility for any misleading or incorrect statements, and the management of individual patients remains the direct responsibility of the individual doctor. Topical benzoyl peroxide is an over-the-counter drug and is known as off-label medication for pitted keratolysis. The etiology of the malodor associated with pitted keratolysis. Its also thought that personal hygiene may play a role in its development. It is characterised by . Dry your feet properly every time you take a bath or wash your feet. Bad odor coming from the soles of your feet or the palms of your hands. Woodgyer AJ, Baxter M, Rush-Munro FM. Treatment Options Treatment options are summarized in Table I. They may use a dermatoscope, which is a hand-held tool used to examine skin lesions, and look at your infection sites. ), de Almeida, HL, de castro, LAS, Rocha, NEM. Pitted keratolysis causes smelly feet. They can also have a burning sensation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19935134, Kaptanoglu AF, Yuksel O, Ozyurt S. Plantar pitted keratolysis: a study from non-risk groups. Pruritis ani 25. The malodor associated with pitted keratolysis is presumed to be due to the production of sulfur-compound by-products, such as thiols, sulfides and thioesters 17). We will recommend a personalised treatment plan for you. ), Schissel, DJ, Aydelotte, J, Keller, R. Road rash with a rotton odor. Pitted keratolysis is reported to be more common among barefooted laborers/farmers, marine workers, soldiers and industrial workers wearing occluded shoes for prolonged periods. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Benzoyl Peroxide gel might be prescribed as an antiseptic. It usually affects the soles of your feet, but it can also happen to the palms of your hands. This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for pitted keratolysis. The bacteria proliferate in moist conditions. Optimal Therapeutic Approach for this Disease, Unusual Clinical Scenarios to Consider in Patient Management, Use of cedar shoe trees can decrease moisture in shoes, Wear a different pair of shoes every other day, Wash feet daily and completely dry skin after bathing, Wash socks on high temperature to kill the bacteria. Being a bacterial infection, it can be treated with antibiotics and antiseptics. Diagnosis and Tests How is pitted keratolysis diagnosed? Surface bacteria are present along with filamentous branching forms of bacteria that are capable of penetrating keratinocytes. You might not experience typical signs of inflammation such as redness or swelling. images for use on the website. 1510-14. Int J Dermatol. Unwell with eg fever / malaise Conditions that make people more likely to develop pitted keratolysis include: Sweaty feet Hot or humid weather What Are The Causes Of Pitted Keratolysis? Diagnosis based on history Viral infections in children Its actually caused by tight socks and shoes, which along with sweating, encourages bacteria to grow. Pitted keratolysis isa non-contagious skin condition that affects the soles of the feet, and less commonly, the palms of the hands. keratosis (syn. Pitted keratolysis has an excellent prognosis; effective treatment clears both the lesion and the odor in 3-4 weeks. Pitted keratolysis is a bacterial skin infection that can affect both the soles of your feet and the palms of your hands. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2013;27:11206. Lifestyle changes. (Four males with pitted keratolysis were treated with a combination of clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide gel once a day. spots (syn. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. The following kinds of bacteria are responsible for this condition: These bacteria grow on the sites of infection and break down the top layer of skin to create small holes or indentations. vol. The incidence is likely under-reported as the disease is easily diagnosed and treated. ((Pitted keratolysis. 2008. pp. If the feet have been recently washed fluorescence is unlikely to be seen. There is often associated headache, fever, generalized aches, and malaise. Skin lesion algorithm - common benign 7. Notice and credit must be given to the PCDS or other named contributors. The causative microorganism has been shown to be a Corynebacterium. A new form of treatment. The condition is most often bilateral, with one foot almost always more severely affected. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, an Internet Brands company. It creates crater-like pits or small holes on the top layer of your skin and usually affects the soles of your feet, but can also develop on the palms of your hands. Your doctor might do a clinical exam as well as evaluate your medical history to get to the diagnosis. Introduction Pitted keratolysis is a common skin disease, caused by various gram-positive bacteria including Corynebacterium species, Kytococcus sedentarius, Dermophilus congolensis and Actinomyces species. Blistering (bullous) conditions 7. Having two pairs of boots or shoes and alternating wearing them from one day to the next will decrease the accumulation of moisture in the boots/shoes (especially if a cedar shoe tree is used). Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Dermatological emergencies 9. In majority of cases, the causative organism is Corynebacteria. London. (Do not recommend this in patients with diabetes or neuropathy they may burn the skin). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4212664/. conditions. Plantar pitted keratolysis: a study from non-risk groups. ), Longshaw, CM, Wright, JD, Farrell, AM. 1997. pp. The videos used in this section have kindly been produced by a This can be accomplished with a hair dryer on low heat. Isolation of Dermatophilus congolensis from two New Zealand cases of pitted keratolysis. Athletes and military personnel tend to develop this condition most commonly. Examination with a Wood light is not reliable for diagnosis and may be negative or show coral-red fluorescence when Corynebacterium spp. The longest follow-up was 10 months in one of the patients. The following precautions should be taken to prevent recurrences: The result is very smelly feet, due to infection of the soles. Angelica Bottaro is a writer with expertise in many facets of health including chronic disease, Lyme disease, nutrition as medicine, and supplementation. While it's most commonly found in males, pitted keratolysis can affect people of any age, race, or sex. Urticaria and angioedema 30. Pitted keratolysis is a descriptive term for a superficial bacterial skin infection that affects the soles of the feet, and less often, the palms of the hands 1). As many as 100% of people with the condition will have this particular symptom. However, it is recommended that you maintain a good bodily hygiene and you do not share objects of hygiene (towels included) with other people, as you might get a secondary infection from another person. A lot of patients diagnosed with pitted keratolysis have social anxiety because of their smelly feet. Dermatology Reports. Association of Dermatologists have many in-depth guidelines, PCDS Poster Youre Not Alone, Pesticide in Produce: See the Latest Dirty Dozen, Having A-Fib Might Raise Odds for Dementia, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, Often go barefoot and live in tropical areas, Wear occlusive shoes, which are shoes that create warm and moist environments for bacteria to thrive as they surround your feet. Corynebacterium species have been implicated as the causative agents in pitted keratolysis. Pitted keratolysis is caused by a range of bacterial species. The odour linked to pitted keratolysis is due to the production of sulphur compounds. On inspection the soles will show small 1-3 mm pits within the epidermis (Figure 1). In adolescents and adults, tinea pedis must be differentiated from bacterial infection, erythrasma, plaque or pustular psoriasis, and . pitted keratolysis Last reviewed 01/2018 In this condition Corynebacteria infection causes macerated skin over the pressure areas of the foot. 213-5. Intertrigo (inflammation in body fold 17. Patients report skin lesions, often with associated. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form without prior authorization. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4401600/. Aust J Dermatol 1985;26:29-35. If you have pitted keratolysis, your doctor will see many pits with well-marked walls. Almost all lesions were seen on the pressure-bearing skin of the sole. Registration is free. Cultures, if taken, show gram-positive coccobacilli or bacilli. Associated plantar and palmar hyperhidrosis is seen in approximately 2/3 of cases. 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