I have been getting lumps on the bottoms on my feet. They come and go in different places, are painful to walk and itch when they come. They usually come in the evening and are gone by morning. I don't get them everyday. What could they be?



Are these lumps that you mention like blisters or are they simply hard lumps? It is not clear why they would appear and disappear, but from the symptoms that you describe, it sounds very much like you have a condition known as dyshidrosis. This is a kind of dermatitis that causes small blisters to develop on the hands or feet, or both. These blisters are rather thick and do not break easily; in some cases they are completely flat and level with the surrounding, normal skin. Sometimes, certain substances seem to irritate the blisters - soap, for example. This may explain why the blisters bother you at night and disappear by morning. Try to note whether they erupt after you bathe, or after contact with any particular substance. If this happens, then of course you need to avoid contact with the substance in question.

In some cases, the condition is temporary and disappears on its own, however, in other cases, it may become chronic. Dyshidrosis is not very well understood, and the causes are not very well known. However, it seems quite likely that stress is a factor in the outbreaks of the blisters. You should therefore try to relax and avoid stress, and if necessary take up mediation or yoga. Certain substances (soap, as mentioned) and foods may also be responsible for the problem, and you should closely watch what you eat and touch. You may have some allergies or sensitivities that need to be treated. If you are unable to detect the substance that irritates you on your own, then you need to take the help of your doctor.

You may also need to use socks of a different material from those that you are using right now. The material itself may be irritating your skin, or else it may be accumulating sweat, and the constant dampness then worsens the problem. However, since you experience no symptoms through the day, which is probably when you are wearing socks, this is probably not the case.

If these measures do not work, then you can try some home remedies. One remedy that should be effective is soaking your feet in warm salt water for at least half an hour, once a day. If this does not work, an alternative is a similar soak using a solution of apple cider vinegar. You can also apply aloe vera gel on the soles of your feet daily.

answered by M W


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