Understand thickened skin on the top of the foot symptoms, including 2 causes & common questions.
6 most common causes
2 causes of thickened skin on the top of the foot
This list does not constitute medical advice and may not accurately represent what you have.
Solar (actinic) keratosis
Actinic keratosis, also known as solar keratosis, is the most common skin condition caused by sun damage over many years. It appears as small, rough, raised growths that may be hard and warty.
You should visit your primary care physician to have the affected skin evaluated. There are several treatments for actinic keratosis, including freezing the keratosis with liquid nitrogen, or applying a cream or gel. Some keratoses will disappear on their own within a year.
Irritant contact dermatitis
Irritant contact dermatitis means a skin reaction that is caused by directly touching an irritating substance, and not by an infectious agent such as a bacteria or virus.
Common causes are soap, bleach, cleaning agents, chemicals, and even water. Almost any substance can cause it with prolonged exposure.
Contact dermatitis is not contagious.
Anyone who works with an irritating substance can contract the condition. Mechanics, beauticians, housekeepers, restaurant workers, and health care providers are all susceptible.
Symptoms include skin that feels swollen, stiff, and dry, and becomes cracked and blistered with painful open sores.
A medical provider can give the best advice on how to heal the skin and avoid further irritation. Self-treatment can make the problem worse if the wrong creams or ointments are used.
Diagnosis is made through patient history, to find out what substances the patient comes into contact with, and through physical examination of the damaged skin.
Treatment involves avoiding the irritating substance if possible. Otherwise, the person can use petroleum jelly on the hands underneath cotton and then rubber gloves.
Hypoparathyroidism
Hypoparathyroidism is disorder in which the parathyroid glands in the neck do not produce enough parathyroid hormone (PTH). The majority of cases are following surgery.
You should visit your primary care physician today to evaluate your symptoms. . Treatment depends on how low (if low at all) your calcium levels are.
Callus
A callus is a hard, thick layer of skin that develops when the skin experiences lots of friction and pressure. A may cause discomfort, but is of no big concern.
Callus doesn't need any specific treatment. If it bothers you, you can trim away excess skin, and using shoe inserts to reduce friction and pressure to prevent the callus from coming back.
Rarity: Uncommon
Top Symptoms: thickened skin on the foot, thickened skin on the foot with visible lines
Symptoms that always occur with callus: thickened skin on the foot with visible lines
Urgency: Wait and watch
Athlete's foot (tinea pedis)
Athlete's foot is a common fungal infection of the feet and/or toes. Warm, moist environments and community showering are common causes of this type of infection.
Over-the-counter treatments are quite effective at treating athlete's foot. They can come in the form of sprays, ointments, or even oral antifungals. Consider replacing shower footwear and bleaching any bathroom floors.
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: foot redness, foot/toe itch, foot skin changes, spontaneous foot pain, peeling between the toes
Symptoms that always occur with athlete's foot (tinea pedis): foot redness
Symptoms that never occur with athlete's foot (tinea pedis): toe injury
Urgency: Self-treatment
Acromegaly
Acromegaly is an uncommon condition where the body makes too much growth hormone, which is a hormone made by the pituitary gland that stimulates growth and repair of various body tissues. In most cases, the excess hormone comes from a small non-cancerous growth in the pituitary gland.
You should visit your primary care physician. Acromegaly is usually treated by surgical removal of the abnormal growth in the pituitary gland.
Questions your doctor may ask about thickened skin on the top of the foot
- Do you run for exercise or sport?
- Do the skin's natural lines go through the thickened skin?
- Do you have high arches?
- Do you have flat feet?
Self-diagnose with our free Buoy Assistant if you answer yes on any of these questions.
Thickened skin on the top of the foot symptom checker statistics
People who have experienced thickened skin on the top of the foot have also experienced:
- 9% Pain In The Top Of The Foot
- 8% Dry Skin
- 5% Foot/Toe Itch
People who have experienced thickened skin on the top of the foot were most often matched with:
- 100% Athlete'S Foot (Tinea Pedis)
People who have experienced thickened skin on the top of the foot had symptoms persist for:
- 76% Over a month
- 6% Two weeks to a month
- 6% Less than a week
Source: Aggregated and anonymized results from Buoy Assistant.
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