Should I continue with this treatment, or
is it not strong enough? Is there a chance
of it clearing the infection as well as
cleomyacin, or erythromycin? I am pretty
broke right now.
Current medical treatment: I have a case
of Pitted Keratolysis, and have decided to
try to self treat with a regime of
17%salicylic acid, 10% benzoyl peroxide
cream, and 500 unit per gram bacitracin
ointment, along with tap water
ionotophoresis to control my sweating.
You shouldn’t try any self-treatment
without a doctor’s recommendation and
supervision.
First, you can do something to decrease
the humidity in your feet. You can limit
the use of occlusive footwear and reduce
foot friction with properly fitting
footwear. Absorbent cotton socks should be
changed frequently to prevent excessive
foot moisture. Wool socks tend to whisk
moisture away from the skin and may be
helpful. In some cases, reducing any
associated hyperhidrosis with the
application of a roll-on antiperspirant,
20% aluminum chloride solution, may be
helpful.
Local (topic) antibiotics are effective
because Plantar Pitted Keratolysis is, in
fact, a bacterial infection of the skin
surface. Twice daily applications of
erythromycin or clindamycin (solutions or
gel formulations) are effective. Topical
mupirocin is also effective. For cases
resistant to topical antibiotic treatments
and/or associated with hyperhidrosis, the
use of botulinum toxin injections has been
effective.
Effective treatment of pitted keratolysis
clears both the lesions and odor in 3-4
weeks.
You should consult a dermatologist about
this.
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