Pitted keratolysis is a bacterial skin infection of the foot with a severe odor. The infection is characterized by craterlike pits on the sole of the feet and toes, particularly weight bearing areas. The infection is caused by Corynebacterium species bacteria. Excessive sweating of the feet and use of occlusive footwear provide an environment in which these bacteria thrive.
The condition is fairly common, especially in the military where wet shoes/boots are worn for extended periods of time without removing/cleaning. The diagnosis of pitted keratolysis is often made by visual examination and recognition of the characteristic odor. Treatment of pitted keratolysis requires the application of antibiotics to the skin such as benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, erythromycin, fusidic acid, or mupirocin. Prevention efforts aim to keep the feet dry.
○ Treatment ― OTC Drugs Always keep your feet and socks dry. Try an OTC antibiotic ointment. Using hand sanitizer on your feet can also help. #Polysporin #Bacitracin
Pitted keratolysis is a bacterial skin infection of the foot with odor. The infection is characterized by craterlike pits on the sole of the feet and toes, particularly weight bearing areas.
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A sole of a foot with multiple malodorous pits
It is accompanied by a severe odor caused by Corynebacterium species.
Pitted Keratolysis is a descriptive title for a superficial bacterial skin infection that affects the soles of the foot, less frequently, the palms confined to the stratum corneum. The etiology is often attributes due to Kytococcus sedentarius and Corynebacterium species bacteria. Pitted keratolysis is most common in the age group of 21 to 30 years, with a majority of affected patients in their 1st to 4th decade of life. Males are at 4 times higher risk of being susceptible to this condition, presumably, due to frequent use of occlusive footwear, whereas females maintain better foot hygiene. We present a case of a 23-year-old medical intern who presented to our hospital with complaints of pitted skin lesion over base of foot, predominantly over toes for past 3 days.
Pitted keratolysis is a skin disorder that affects the stratum corneum of the plantar surface and is caused by Gram-positive bacteria. A 30-year-old male presented with small punched-out lesions on the plantar surface. A superficial shaving was carried out for scanning electron microscopy. Hypokeratosis was noted on the plantar skin and in the acrosyringium, where the normal elimination of corneocytes was not seen. At higher magnification (x 3,500) bacteria were easily found on the surface and the described transversal bacterial septation was observed.
The condition is fairly common, especially in the military where wet shoes/boots are worn for extended periods of time without removing/cleaning. The diagnosis of pitted keratolysis is often made by visual examination and recognition of the characteristic odor. Treatment of pitted keratolysis requires the application of antibiotics to the skin such as benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, erythromycin, fusidic acid, or mupirocin. Prevention efforts aim to keep the feet dry.
○ Treatment ― OTC Drugs
Always keep your feet and socks dry. Try an OTC antibiotic ointment. Using hand sanitizer on your feet can also help.
#Polysporin
#Bacitracin