Skin problem

[tatooie]

A member of my family has recently started complaining about having itchy feet and rashes. Sometimes however they get little white blisters which leak when they're scratched. They've recently just started getting them on their hands too, is it worth suggesting going to the doctors? And does anybody know what this condition might be?

[Lindy Loo]

Definitely worth a visit to the doctor as they would be the best person to give a diagnosis.

As to what it is.... Only a doctor could tell you as it could be anything from just a rash to urticaria, shingles, etc....

Good luck

[mullein]

definately a doctors visit as it could be fungal..and may have spread to hands through contact with the foot...also it may be linked to underlying illnesses...while you are waiting for a doctors appointment go int the bbc site and e mail the doctor their he may be a bit wiser than us here as it is very difficult to diagnose without enough information..and its better to be safe than sorry...mullein

[forestertwo]

It sounds a bit like athletes foot based on my son's past experiences but in view of the broken skin you need to be careful what you apply.  A doctor is the best person to diagnose and advise on treatment.

[Kay]

I had exactly the same a couple of years back.Gp said it was a fungal infection so best to see yours.

[CHOPS'R'US]

I had this on my hands and it turned out to be contact dermamtitis to beauty products i know have to be careful not to leave stuff on my hands and wash it off straight away once i have put body lotion on or anything. Luckily i no longer do hands on treatments for people so it doesn't affect me anymore, as for the feet you can get it on there but it does sound more like atheletes foot or maybe eczema as that is like that too which i also had a few years back not very nice and used to drive me mad at night whan my feet got hot.

[splodge24]

I have eczema and it's like you have described. If you get your family member to go to the docs then they should be able to get some cream to clear it up.

[AB Editor]

For all medical questions, we strongly advise you to seek professional advice from your doctor or healthcare professional.  Please do not rely on or wait for advice from Answerbank users.

[Robinia]

Is the family member a small child?  Please do not be alarmed by this but in my area the Hand, Foot & Mouth virus (nothing to do with the animal disease) is going round the little ones.  Not a serious thing but makes them miserable for about a week.

 

See a doctor.

[jellyyellie]

Maybe it's Mulescum Contagiosum.  They look very similar to blisters, are sort of pearly, and have a little 'belly buttons' in the middle.  They're viral infections and are harmless (but if they're on your feet they might hurt just from pressure...).  When your body decides they want to get rid of they they sort of swell up and that's when they become VERY painful, espessilly if they're in place where there will be pressure of the.  They can leak a little, especially when they're squeezed/scrathed/etc.  Since they are viral they can spread via contact with other thigns, which might explain why he/she got them on hands too.  They can scar and look like chicken pox cars.  If they are painful try applying heat.    You should definatly go see a doctor, because you never know what it might be.