Sores on my feet after diving

[mchiapetto]

We have only been diving for a couple of years. When we go on a trip where we are doing lots of repetitive diving (like on a liveaboard), we both find we start having problems with our feet after a few days.

We start getting sores on our toes, the top of our foot over the instep and the back of the heel. We put bandades on to cover those areas to prevent rubbing. But the sore appear and then take forever to go away. It is now one week later and they are finally close to being healed up.

We also find the skin on top of our feet over the instep seems to get very dry and flaky. And I also have something like a rash on my right ankle.

We do not notice others on the dive boat having this problem. We own all our gear and we wash it and take very good care of it. Our boots seem to fit perfect (not too tight or too loose).

Does anyone else have experiences like this? Or any ideas of what might be causing it or what we can do to prevent it?

Thanks.

 

[Tom Winters]

It sounds like finitis - a rare, but treatable malady. Have your physician write you a prescription for an underwater scooter and it should disappear.

 

[ItsBruce]

My son had a similar problem. As well as I could understand, it was a form of yeast infection, treatable with Athlete's Foot medication. But, check with your own doctor.

 

[TSandM]

I've had the same problem when diving wet with wetsuit boots. I have assumed it's simply friction from the foot moving a little inside the boot when finning. I have not found a satisfactory solution for it -- moleskin and other blister treatments do not adhere well underwater. I've wondered if adding some kind of soft sock under the boot might help . . . I'll be interested to see if you get any useful answers.

 

[markfm]

Perhaps try a polypro liner sock, like used for hiking?

Either that or uber foot funk -- time to sink the stink!

 

[captndale]

When I dive with wet boots, making several dives per day I develop sores on the tops of my toes. It is from abrasion. I have found that I can prevent the problem by weaaring nylon socks under the boots.

 

[DandyDon]

When I dive with wet boots, making several dives per day I develop sores on the tops of my toes. It is from abrasion. I have found that I can prevent the problem by weaaring nylon socks under the boots.

Yep - works for me.

I had a problem on my last trip, tho - trying to wear boat shoes that were spiffy lookin' but too short. Okay, until I took the socks off, then abrasions. Imprtant that the dive booties and boat shoes both be big enough to not cause problems. To test, wear them around the house for a few hours.

 

[DavidPT40]

If friction is the problem, try www.roadrunnersports.com for very thin anti-blister socks.

 

[DandyDon]

If friction is the problem, try www.roadrunnersports.com for very thin anti-blister socks.

Well, might try the $1 a pair nylon socks first...?

 

[HowardE]

My wife uses these... she USED TO GET blisters

http://rd.ss.yahoo.com/SIG=17vmbhj6...Item=37490&Template=9990000051000999&Group=64