Tinea Pedis or something else?

[Wildcard]

Im stumped and need some advice. After many years free, I seem to have contracted this again, but it's very different. I got it my last trip to Iraq. NBD at first but then it spread to the entire plantar surface. No itching, redness, pain, ect. Just some sluffing of the skin, UNTILL I went diving. I pulled my boots off and I looked like a leper. Sheets of skin had fallen off. I blamed it on the new wet suit shampoo but weeks later it is still going on. Very mild when I pull my damp warm work boots off but scary when I pull my wetsuit boots off. I have started Tx with tolnaftate as it was my only choice. I have no option of seeing a specialist where Im at.
Any thoughts on this?:shakehead

 

[fisherdvm]

Get a fungal culture done by a family doc, or see a dermatologist for a microscopic exam (done on the spot, called a KOH exam - dissolved in potassium hydroxide). If it is proven to be fungus, you can eradicate it. If it is in the toe nails, you'd need 3 months of an oral antifungal, and daily use of an topical antifungal for life.

If the exam is negative, then it could be a number of conditions - psoriasis, dishydrotic eczema, contact dermatitis, etc.

A good dermatologist is a place to start. When you are not satisfied with him/her, find another one. Clues to tinea pedis is maceration between the toe webs, especially between the pinkie toe and the next one, accompanied jock itch, and thickened ugly toenails.

Take a picture of your feet, and your groin (scrotum included), we will diagnose it for you.

 

[fisherdvm]

What the heck is NBD? I reread your post again. I think if you can't see a doc, an antifungal like clotrimazole or miconizole is what I would use, twice a day, for at least a week.

If you feet is constantly exposed to water, it will over hydrate, and will slough - kinda like trench foot or jungle rot. If your work boots are getting wet, to the point where your feet are soaked, you might considering getting goretex socks, or better boots. In the short term, consider coating your feet in petrolatum to replace the natural oil that is leached off by the dampness.

Sounds more like an environmental issue, but treating with a topical antifungal like those I mentioned will be a good start. Make sure you get it between the toes and under the nails.

 

[PfcAJ]

Sounds like something fungal, those showers are nasty.

In all seriousness, watch out that you don't transfer that to your crotch when you put on underwear. Dry your feet off (with a towel) everytime you get a shower, change socks multiple times per day.

If you're still on active duty, go to the post medical clinic.

 

[fisherdvm]

PfcAJ, what are you going to do with your name, when you get promoted??

Yes, it is always good to go to sickcall, get it documented, so if it turned out to be a lifelong condition, you can get medical benefit when you leave the service.

Second word of advise, always make a copy of your medical record. You can count on the military to lose your record at least once or twice during your career. And those shots, they hurt.... Especially if you can't prove you've gotten them.

 

[PfcAJ]

I was promoted quite a while ago, actually. I guess I'll just keep it at PfcAJ, unless a moderator (or whoever handles this stuff) wants to change it SpcAJ

 

[Wildcard]

OK, i have been out of the military for umm, 23 years. NBD= no big deal. Im in a pretty dry environment right now except for the last week when it has rained lots every day, still My feet have only the normal moisture on them. I have no way to see anyone with a clue right now so Im here. The tolnaftate is the only OTC med I could find. After three days it does seem to be helping a little but it's way too early to tell.
Sorry fisherdvm, I only share naked pics with girls
I have lost most of my calous ( humm, dosnt look right) on my feet and it's getting a little tender humping up and down hills all day.
BTW never grease your feet up good with foot cream and try to walk downhill in flipflops!

 

[PfcAJ]

Oh, most people who talk about their trips to Iraq are in the military. Ummmmm....my mistake.

 

[Wildcard]

It's not the first war to be fought with conscripts. Best I could do active duty was Urgent Fury. Four days and I was stuck in PR then too.