given and further information. Pitted keratolysis is a bacterial infection of the soles of the feet or less commonly, the palms of the hands. Many symptoms can develop in a person with pitted keratolysis. Indian J Dermatol Venerol Leprol. training in dermatology. images for use on the website. Dermatol Surg. Proceeding of the XIII International Congress of Dermatology 1967;593-5. Sex: males > females. This website is non-profit and holds the images for educational purposes only. Travel acquired / worldwide infections It is not a substitute for professional medical help. It is not felt to be an infection that is contagious. If you have an underlying skin condition such as excessive sweating also known as Hyperhidrosis, your dermatologist might add other drugs to deal with that too. Taplin D, Zaias N. The etiology of pitted keratolysis. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Boils and folliculitis (including hid 8. Healthcare providers diagnose pitted keratolysis based on its clinical appearance and odor. Bad odor coming from the soles of your feet or the palms of your hands. ), (Nice review of Cornebacterium skin infections, including pitted keratolysis, erythrasma, and trichomycosis. While it's most commonly found in males, pitted keratolysis can affect people of any age, race, or sex. Weather also plays an important role in this condition, such as warm environments with high humidity increase the chances of developing pitted keratolysis. Pitted keratolysis, erythromycin, and hyperhidrosis. Who is at Risk for Developing this Disease? (Nice review of Cornebacterium skin infections, including pitted keratolysis, erythrasma, and trichomycosis. Thanks for visiting Dermatology Advisor. 2012;4(1):e4. Pictures collection of Pitted Keratolysis. Pitted keratolysis is caused by different species of bacteria. Woodgyer AJ, Baxter M, Rush-Munro FM. Bacteria practically digest the keratin, resulting a very foul smell. you can keep this webpage open when working for ease of access. The authors hypothesized that decreasing sweating cured the pitted keratolysis. 1999. pp. Its also thought that personal hygiene may play a role in its development. Rosacea 27. A potassium hydroxide examination of the lesions can exclude tinea pedis 8). The longest follow-up was 10 months in one of the patients. Boils and folliculitis (including hid 11. Fortunately, pitted keratolysis is not contagious and cannot spread from one person to another. Pitted keratolysis is a medical condition in which the skin on the feet and toes becomes infected with bacteria, due to a combination of factors (often times because of the inadequate footwear, poor hygiene and excessive sweating). Pitted keratolysis (also known as "Keratolysis plantare sulcatum," "Keratoma plantare sulcatum," and "Ringed keratolysis") is a non-contagious skin infection that can be caused by wearing tight or restricting footwear and excessive sweating. The causative microorganism has been shown to be a Corynebacterium. vol. 67.11).Ringed erythematous lesions that coalesce can be seen on . 2009. pp. They proliferate and produce protease enzymes that cause destruction of the stratum corneum to create pits/craters. Under appropriate conditions (i.e. A lot of patients diagnosed with pitted keratolysis have social anxiety because of their smelly feet. (Review of 53 patients with pitted keratolysis. Table I. Optimal Therapeutic Approach for this Disease Download, The PonyWang / Getty Images The videos used in this section have kindly been produced by a Different types of bacteria love humid and warm environments, so they will thrive in footwear that is not removed or cleaned regularly. Blaise G, Nikkels AF, Hermanns-L T, Nikkels-Tassoudji N, Pirard GE. 30. Plantar hyperhidrosis and pitted keratolysis treated with botulinum toxin injection. Plus, a frequent change of socks would be a good idea. We present a case report and review on . Its actually caused by tight socks and shoes, which along with sweating, encourages bacteria to grow. Bacteria proliferate and produce proteinases that destroy the stratum corneum, producing the characteristic craters or pits. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Collection of specimen using swab may be helpful to identify causative bacteria and skin scraping is often taken to exclude fungal infection. 698-701. Dermoscopy of pitted keratolysis. Pits or holes in the skin that typically develop over, Pits can be brown and more visible when the feet are wet, A feeling of wetness or sliminess on the feet, Thickening of the outer layer of skin on the soles of the feet, Lightening of the skin on the soles of the feet, An inflamed, red rash on the bottom of the feet, Around the nails on both the hands and the feet, Athletes or others involved in sports activities. Pitted keratolysis isa non-contagious skin condition that affects the soles of the feet, and less commonly, the palms of the hands. ), Longshaw, CM, Wright, JD, Farrell, AM. Pitted keratolysis. Eczema - discoid eczema 11. Pitted keratolysis. Pitted keratolysis is a bacterial infection of the skin. Hyperhidrosis increases the risk for development of pitted keratolysis. Nail disorders 20. If you have stinky feet along with deep pits, you may need the gel as well as another antibiotic.. No sponsor or advertiser has participated in, approved or paid for the content provided by Decision Support in Medicine LLC. 2012;4(1):e4. Pitted keratolysis is caused by an infection of the stratum corneum by Kytococcus sedentarius (formerly Micrococcus spp. These bacteria are gram positive, diphtheroid bacteria that are part of the normal human skin flora. Molluscum contagiosum 19. That said, treatment is still necessary to help rid the bacteria from your feet, even if you dont have bad symptoms and cannot pass it on to others. Multiple bacteria are implicated in this skin disease, such as Corynebacterium, Kytococcus sedentarius, Dermatophilus congolensis, and Streptomyces. Electron microscopy has been described in one case. What Are The Causes Of Pitted Keratolysis? 2 Environmental factors are . - of the face and neck, Actinic In severe refractory cases oral erythromycin 500mg orally twice daily for 14 days can be considered. If you have pitted keratolysis, your doctor will see many pits with well-marked walls. Hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes excessive sweat across the body, including the feet. Clinical features: characteristic pits and maceration smell of rotten fish this condition is more common in young men who wear training shoes Management: breathable footwear topical fusidic acid The most commonly reported symptom is malodor. vol. The Licensed Content is the property of and copyrighted by DSM. 1,2 The microorganism apparently invades the upper two thirds of the keratin layer by means of its hydrolytic enzymatic activity. Because of that, people may deal with social repercussions or self-esteem issues before getting it treated. ), Takama, H, Tamada, Y, Yano. eMedicine J 2003;11:1-7. Darker areas of skin Pitted keratolysis is a skin condition affecting the soles of the . Dermatol Ther 2014;27:1014. Pitted keratolysis is much more common in males than in females. Adv Skin Wound Care 2009;22: 5646. Pitted keratolysis is a skin disorder that's caused by bacteria. Image Rights - The PCDS would like to thank Dermatoweb, DermQuest (Galderma), and others who have contributed images. Most commonly occurring in athletes and members of the military, pitted keratolysis is a non-contagious skin infection that affects the soles and other weight bearing areas of the foot. A foul odor without any other symptoms has been encountered as a direct result of Bacillus subtilis or Staphylococcus epidermidis overgrowth. The odor linked to pitted keratolysis is due to the production of sulphur compounds. Mary Choy, PharmD, is board-certified in geriatric pharmacotherapy and is an active leader in professional pharmacy associations. When signs of infection develop, they can include pits in the soles of the feet, foul-smelling foot odor, and feeling as though the feet are slimy or wet. What causes small holes in skin? Disclaimer - the author PCDS cannot accept responsibility for any misleading or incorrect statements, and the management of individual patients remains the direct responsibility of the individual doctor. What happens if I do not get treated? Socks that absorb excessive humidity are recommended, especially if you know that you sweat a lot. ), (Review of 53 patients with pitted keratolysis. Pockmarks, which are also called pick marks or acne scars, are blemishes with a concave shape that can look like holes or indentations in the skin. Associated with medical conditions Pitted keratolysis is curable, and when a person seeks treatment, they will have to do a course of antibiotics that lasts between one to eight weeks, depending on the severity of the disease. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({ The pitted keratolysis is secondary to the hyperhidrosis. Pityriasis rosea 23. There is often associated headache, fever, generalized aches, and malaise. (Transmission and scanning electron microscopy were used to evaluate a biopsy specimen of pitted keratolysis. It is worth mentioning that Pitted Keratolysis is non-contagious. 2005 May-Jun; 71(3):213-5. van der Snoek EM, Ekkelenkamp MB, Suykerbuyk JC. Most commonly occurring in athletes and members of the military, pitted keratolysis is a non-contagious skin infection that affects the soles and other weight bearing areas of the foot . document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); (adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({}); Medical Point is health guidance website for people who want to learn about their health problems and conditions. The incidence is likely under-reported as the disease is easily diagnosed and treated. Please refer to notes on image rights at bottom of the page with regards to individual image I HAVE HAD THIS FOR 10 PLUS YEARS. Few cases have been reported in the elderly 20). 164. Almost all lesions were seen on the pressure-bearing skin of the sole. For some, a gel antibiotic may clear the infection in as little as one week. - And More, (Four males with pitted keratolysis were treated with a combination of clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide gel once a day. This can help them find out what kind of bacteria is causing your pitted keratolysis.. Unlike other skin conditions caused by bacteria, pitted keratolysis is not contagious. Is pitted keratolysis contagious? The most common bacteria associated with the condition include: These bacteria species thrive in areas that are warm and moist. Thank you, Thank you very much, you have been so helpful. ), (Single case report of a soldier with pitted keratolysis and tinea pedis. However, it frequently impacts the feet because of the sweaty environment developed by wearing shoes and socks for an extended period of time.This condition is identified by little depressions or pits in the top layer of skin and locations of white skin. This patient was treated with a combination of clindamycin, aluminum chloride, and clotrimazole. Pitted keratolysis, when not treated, might get worse as these pits might coalesce and form larger pits and the smell from your feet might get even worse. Dermatological emergencies 9. If you simply Topical benzoyl peroxide is an over-the-counter drug and is known as off-label medication for pitted keratolysis. ), Gurcharan, S, Chandra, N. Pitted keratolysis. Your healthcare provider will diagnose pitted keratolysis after reviewing your complete medical history and performing a physical exam to learn more about your symptoms. J Applied Microbiology. While it's most commonly found in males, pitted keratolysis can affect people of any age, race, or sex. Party Parliamentary Group on Skin, Self-examination of moles online 810-16. It is one of the causes of smelly feet. Pitted keratolysis. Pitted keratolysis is a bacterial skin infection that can affect both the soles of your feet and the palms of your hands. Caused/aggravated by sunlight Have at least two pairs and rotate every day to let the other pair dry, Wash feet with soap or an antiseptic twice daily, Topical antibiotics, when used with the above measures, are often effective within 3-4 weeks, Use twice-daily applications of clindamycin, erythromycin, orFucidin cream, Oral clarithromycin / erythromycin have been reported as effective, Other options for very persistent sweating can be found in the related chapter. All named individuals and organisations maintain copyright for the relevant images. Ultrastructure of pitted keratolysis. ), (In vitro studies purifying the P1 and P2 proteins. 242-6. Let's focus on pitted keratolysis. After the treatment has started, you might start to feel better but if your condition does not improve even after taking your medications, you should consult your doctor. Preventive measures might help you avoid pitted keratolysis in the future, and these include, wearing sweat absorbable socks and avoiding wearing footwear for longer periods. K sedentarius has been found to produce two keratin digesting proteins. Read our, Every Antibiotics Question You Have, Answered, Smelly Feet: Causes, Treatments, and Outlook, Common Fungal and Bacterial Infections of the Foot. Small pits or indentations on the soles of your feet or the palms of your hands. Privacy Policy. A logical approach to the management of skin conditions including The most commonly used antibiotics are Erythromycin, Mupirocin, and Clindamycin. Almost all lesions were seen on the pressure-bearing skin of the sole. Br J Dermatol 1997;137:282-5. van der Snoek EM, Ekkelenkamp MB, Suykerbuyk JC. On inspection the soles will show small 1-3 mm pits within the epidermis (Figure 1). vol. It can affect the palms of the hands and, more commonly, the soles of the feet, particularly the . J Invest Dermatol 1986;87:159. If you wish to read unlimited content, please log in or register below. Very rarely, the fingers are similarly affected. Is pitted keratolysis feet contagious? Research shows that pitted keratolysis is more likely to occur in men. Trunk (chest, abdomen, back) Topical antibiotics are effective, easy to use and accepted by patients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4212664, Occlusive footwear, such as rubber boots or vinyl shoes, Excessive sweating of hands and feet (hyperhidrosis), Thickened skin of palms and soles (keratoderma), Wear boots for as short a period as possible, Wear socks which effectively absorb sweat, i.e., cotton and/or wool, Wash feet with soap or antiseptic cleanser twice daily, Apply antiperspirant to the feet at least twice weekly, Do not wear the same shoes two days in a row dry them out. Having pitted keratolysis can be uncomfortable and even painful. Pitted keratolysis is a bacterial skin infection that can impact both the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands. Pitted keratolysis may be a sign of other Corynebacterium infections and one should consider looking for evidence of erythrasma and/or trichomycosis. 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Your healthcare provider will diagnose pitted keratolysis, erythrasma, and less commonly, the soles of your or... Such as Corynebacterium, Kytococcus sedentarius ( formerly Micrococcus spp for professional advice! Reported in the elderly 20 ) soldier with pitted keratolysis in men to... Means of its hydrolytic enzymatic activity pits or indentations on the pressure-bearing of! As one week, you have been so helpful organisations maintain copyright for the images. Are effective, easy to use and accepted by patients is likely under-reported as disease. Subtilis or Staphylococcus epidermidis overgrowth 20 ) ( Single case report of soldier! Bacillus subtilis or Staphylococcus epidermidis overgrowth individuals and organisations maintain copyright for the relevant images that contagious! If you simply Topical benzoyl peroxide gel once a day causes excessive sweat across the body, including pitted is... Or pits management of skin conditions including the feet or less commonly, the soles of your feet or commonly. Or less commonly, the palms of your hands odor coming from the soles of the and. With botulinum toxin injection some, a frequent change of socks would be a substitute for professional medical,.
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