Why is my skin getting pitted?
Pitted keratolysis is a skin disorder that’s caused by bacteria. It creates crater-like pits or small holes on the top layer of your skin and usually affects the soles of your feet, but can also develop on the palms of your hands. It’s more common in people who: Often go barefoot and live in tropical areas.
What is pitted keratolysis look like?
Results in a whitish skin surface with clusters of multiple, fine punched-out pits. Pits often join together (coalesce) to form a larger, crater-like lesion. The appearance is more dramatic when the feet are wet. A variant of pitted keratolysis presents with diffuse red areas on the soles.
Is pitted keratolysis fungal?
Pitted keratolysis is not a fungus but is a clinical mimicker of tinea pedis (athlete’s foot). It is rather rare in Montgomery County as I only encounter pitted keratolysis about once a month in my Conroe dermatology and the Woodlands dermatology clinics. It is caused by bacteria called Kytococcus sedentarius.
What cures pitted keratolysis?
Mainstays of treatment include topical antibiotics such as clindamycin, erythromycin, mupirocin, and fusidic acid twice a day. Topical applications of benzoyl peroxide once or twice a day are also effective; the medication has antimicrobial and keratolytic properties.
How do you treat pitted keratolysis over the counter?
Topical benzoyl peroxide is an over-the-counter drug and is known as off-label medication for pitted keratolysis. It has both aerobic and anaerobic antibacterial properties due to inhibition of various cell functions and the response against bacteria is dose related.
Can antifungal cream treat pitted keratolysis?
Treatments Your Physician May Prescribe Prescription antibiotic lotions such as clindamycin, erythromycin, or mupirocin. Antifungal cream such as miconazole or clotrimazole. Prescription oral antibiotics such as erythromycin.
Can you cure pitted keratolysis at home?
Topical benzoyl peroxide gel 2.5% and 5% can both treat pitted keratolysis.