Ways To Prevent And Treat Pitted Keratolysis

February 15, 2024

Pitted keratolysis is a type of bacterial skin infection with the ability to adversely affect the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. While it's possible for this condition to cause issues on the hands, the feet are the most commonly affected areas of the body because of the high-moisture environment that occurs when individuals wear socks and shoes for lengthy periods. Patients will likely notice the presence of some very small pits and holes on the top layer of their skin. When suffering from pitted keratolysis, it's possible their feet will begin to smell. This condition occurs much more often among men than women. Along with the presence of pits and the odd smell that results from this condition, other symptoms include reddened skin, as well as aching and itching sensations. A variety of different bacteria can cause an individual to experience pitted keratolysis, all of which multiply in moist conditions. Learn about how to prevent and treat pitted keratolysis now.

Avoid Tight-Fitting Shoes And Socks

Among the best ways to prevent and even treat pitted keratolysis is to avoid tight-fitting shoes and socks. Wearing poorly fitted socks and shoes brings with it the risk of developing a wide range of harmful and annoying health problems, including swelling, varicose veins, numbness, and irritation. If an individual believes this issue is what's causing their pitted keratolysis, it's highly recommended they purchase some socks or shoes that fit properly and breathe well. For instance, cotton is considered to be a highly breathable material, which is why socks should be made from cotton. An individual's main goal should be to reduce the amount of moisture that develops on their feet. They could also consider wearing open-toed sandals to reduce the possibility of developing pitted keratolysis. Once individuals remove the source of the infection, it should dissipate entirely in around two to four weeks.

Continue reading to learn about more ways to treat and prevent pitted keratolysis.

Use A Topical Antibiotic Or Antiseptic

When diagnosed with a case of pitted keratolysis, it's likely patients will be told to use a topical antibiotic or antiseptic, of which there are many different types. Antibiotics are medications designed to slow the growth of bacteria so they can eventually be removed from the body. While antibiotics are unable to treat viral infections, pitted keratolysis is considered a bacterial infection. While an individual's immune system should be able to destroy some or all of the bacteria causing pitted keratolysis, antibiotics will make sure the bacteria don't become too prevalent. Slower growth means the bacteria can be killed more quickly and effectively.

Antiseptics are similar to antibiotics in that they can slow down or completely stop the growth of microorganisms like bacteria. Antiseptics usually come in the form of hand washes or hand rubs. When prescribed with a topical antibiotic or antiseptic, patients should make sure they only use as much as directed. Using higher amounts of any medication can create a range of side effects.

Learn more about treating and preventing pitted keratolysis now.

Wear Moisture-Wicking Socks

Along with wearing well-fitted shoe and socks, it's also recommended for patients to wear moisture-wicking socks. Certain sock materials don't wick moisture away, which means all of the moisture created when wearing a warm sock will get between the sock and foot to create a high-moisture environment where bacteria flourish. If individuals want to effectively reduce their chances of suffering from pitted keratolysis, they'll want to wear some sock materials that actually wick moisture away from their feet and place it between their shoes and socks for a much better environment. This will also keep their feet comfortable when they are exercising. While cotton is a very breathable material, it's not great for wicking away moisture. The best materials are nylon and wool, both of which are designed to wick sweat away to be reabsorbed into the surrounding air.

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Avoid Sharing Footwear

If individuals want their feet to remain healthy and free from bacteria, it's very important for them to avoid sharing footwear. It's impossible to know how dirty another person's shoes are and what kinds of bacteria are contained within. While wearing socks can help to mitigate these issues, it's particularly important to not share footwear when not wearing socks. If individuals do so, the bacteria in the shoe will come into contact with their skin, which substantially heightens their risk of suffering from conditions such as pitted keratolysis and athlete's foot. This is a very common issue when purchasing a new pair of shoes, as it's impossible to know how many others have tried on a pair of shoes, which is why individuals should always wear socks while shopping for new shoes.

Learn more about treating and preventing pitted keratolysis now.

Wash Feet With Cleanser Frequently

While wearing tight-fitting shoes and socks or sharing footwear can greatly increase the possibility of pitted keratolysis, the bacteria that comes into contact with the skin can be effectively removed before it causes the condition if individuals wash their feet with cleanser frequently. This cleanser should be an antiseptic designed to kill the bacteria. Any antiseptic liquid should start relieving pitted keratolysis. Consider combining the antiseptic with some water to create a cleaning solution. Individuals should soak their feet in this solution for thirty to sixty minutes at a time. Doing so will kill built-up bacteria, which should prevent the possibility of pitted keratolysis while also providing individuals with an effective treatment solution if they have already developed it. Individuals could also apply the cleanser directly to the foot with a cloth for a quicker solution.

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