Pitted keratolysis or smelly feet is a peel status affecting the soles of the feet in addition to less commonly, the palms of the hands. It is caused past times a bacterial infection of the peel in addition to may give off an unpleasant odor.
Causes- Pitted keratolysis is caused past times several bacterial species, including corynebacteria, Dermatophilus congolensis, Kytococcus sedentarius, actinomyces in addition to streptomyces.
The bacteria proliferate inwards moist conditions. The pitting is due to devastation of the horny cells ( stratum corneum ) past times protease enzymes produced past times the bacteria. The bad odor is due to sulphur compounds produced past times the bacteria , thiols, sulphides in addition to thioesters.
Pitted keratolysis is much to a greater extent than mutual inwards males than inwards females. Occupation at adventure include-
· Farmers
· Athletes
· Sailors or fisherman
· Industrial workers
· Military personnel
Females offering pedicure in addition to pes assist inwards a spa saloon may likewise live on affected past times pitted keratolysis.
Factors that atomic number 82 to the evolution of pitted keratolysis include-
· Hot, humid weather
· Occlusive footwear, such every bit security boots or vinyl shoes
· Excessive sweating of hands in addition to feet
· Thickened peel of palms in addition to soles
· Diabetes mellitus
· Advanced age
· Immunodeficiency
Symptoms
· Very smelly feet, due to infection of the soles.
· Either the forefoot or the heel or both move white amongst clusters of punched –out pits. The appearance is to a greater extent than dramatic when the feet are wet.Very rarely the fingers are similarly affected.
· Pits frequently bring together together to shape larger , crater similar lesion.
· There is a variant of pitted keratolysis where at that topographic point are to a greater extent than diffuse cerise areas on the soles.
The close commonly reported symptom is malodor. The pits themselves are unremarkably asymptomatic but may drive soreness or itching when walking.
Diagnosis – Pitted keratolysis is unremarkably diagnosed clinically . Swabs are rarely required . However the causative organisms may live on identified from the pitted lesions in addition to cultured on encephalon pump infusion agar.Skin scrapings are frequently taken to exclude fungal infection . Woodlight exam displays a characteristic coral cerise fluorescence inwards or in addition to thus cases.
The diagnosis is sometimes made past times peel biopsy revealing characteristic histopathological features of pitted keratolysis .
Prevention- Pitted keratolysis volition rapidly recur unless the feet are kept dry. The next precautions should live on taken to foreclose recurrence-
· Wear foots for every bit curt a catamenia every bit possible
· Wear socks which effectively absorb sweat, ie cotton fiber in addition to /or wool
· Wear opened upwards –toed sandals whenever possible
· Wash feet amongst lather or antiseptic cleancer twice daily
· Apply antiperspirant to the feet at to the lowest degree twice daily
· Do non article of apparel the same shoes 2 days inwards a row-dry them out
· Do non portion footwear or towels amongst clothes
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
Well selected Homoeopathic remedies are effective for managing Pitted keratolysis. Some of the of import remedies are given below-
SILICEA 200- Silicea is ane of the overstep remedies for smelly feet amongst offensive sweat. The feet becomes icy mutual frigidness amongst copious sweat. Another leading graphic symbol is presence of offensive effort on feet which is acrid, itching in addition to destroying shoes. There is soreness inwards soles from instep through to the sole. Pits in addition to exfoliation of the peel are seen on the sole.
BARYTA CARBONICUM 200- Baryta carb is or in addition to thus other effective remedy for Pitted keratolysis amongst offensive pes sweat, specially inwards children. There is cold, foul pes sweat, the feet is mutual frigidness in addition to clammy. Toes in addition to sole sore, soles painful on walking. Soles experience hot or bruised at black during sleeping. Most of the Baryta carb children are suffering from chronic pharynx complaints.
GRAPHITES 30- Graphites is best for smelly feet amongst fissures, cracks in addition to pits inwards soles in addition to inwards betwixt toes. The effort is foul in addition to excoriating , worse inwards evening. The feet is mutual frigidness in addition to wet. The acrid pes effort chafes the toes. Habitual constipation is acquaint inwards Graphites patient.
CALCAREA CARB 30- Calcarea carb is prescribed where sour pes effort is acquaint on the feet. Soles of the feet experience raw. Burning of soles of feet. Calcrea carb is suited to fatty , flabby persons.
LYCOPODIUM CLAVATUM 200- Lycopodium is best for smelly feet amongst profuse pes sweat. There is hurting inwards the heels in addition to soles spell walking. In Lycopodium ane pes hot in addition to other cold. Lycopodium patients prefer warm drinks in addition to food. They possess got a craving for sweets.
ANTIMONIUM CRUDUM 200- Antim . unsmooth is considered a skillful remedy for Pitted keratolysis where the peel on soles is withered on concern human relationship of pes sweat. The feet is really sensitive due to the presence of large horny places.
SEPIA 30- Sepia is effective for smelly feet amongst offensive pes sweat. There is itching, stinging in addition to burning ulcers inwards the toes in addition to heels. The itching is non relieved past times scratching. There is pricking in addition to burning sensation of feet.There is profuse or offensive perspiration of feet causing soreness inwards heel in addition to betwixt toes.
SULPHUR 200- Sulphur is or in addition to thus other effective medicines for smelly feet amongst icy mutual frigidness feet amongst an offensive sweat. The pes feels sore from the overstep through to the sole. Sulphur patient set the feet out of bed due to excessive oestrus inwards soles at night.