Same Day Appointments Available!
Call Us 24/7 (801) 396-9743
Salt Lake City * Sandy * West Jordan
Home » West Jordan » West Jordan Foot & Ankle Conditions » West Jordan Skin Conditions » West Jordan Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis can cause an itchy, painful, red rash in addition to other symptoms. Some people may experience tenderness, swelling, blisters, or even a burning sensation. When these symptoms affect the skin on your feet or ankles, you might find it painful or difficult to wear shoes or do normal activities like walking. It can be incredibly frustrating when you have these symptoms but have no idea what’s causing them.
Along with an itchy rash, you may also experience:
As the name suggests, contact dermatitis stems from contact with an irritant or allergen. Various sources can stimulate a reaction, including plants, metals, cosmetics or lotions, soaps, cleaning or other household products, fabrics, and other materials. Most of these items are perfectly safe for the majority of people, but if you happen to have a sensitivity to one of them, you could develop a strong reaction. If this allergy goes untreated, it can easily get worse.
If you suspect you have allergic contact dermatitis, it’s crucial to seek a diagnosis from a professional. In some cases, symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis may be similar to other skin conditions, including infections like Athlete’s Foot, psoriasis, and planar lichens. People who try to treat their skin rash with over-the-counter remedies often spend more time itching and uncomfortable because they did not get the proper treatment for their particular condition. In some cases, they may worsen their condition by using remedies from the drugstore instead of seeking a professional diagnosis.
When an itchy rash or other skin symptoms cause foot or ankle discomfort, Dr. Elizabeth Auger, DPM, can help diagnose and treat your condition. She has more than 24 years of experience addressing multiple foot and ankle issues and can help you determine the cause of your allergic dermatitis and treat the symptoms. Please contact our office for a consultation. In most situations, we can get you in for a same-day appointment.
Typically, allergic contact dermatitis is caused by substances likely to have touched the skin. Your doctor will probably ask if you’ve tried any new products that affect your feet, including socks and shoes or toiletries like soap or lotion. If you put powder on your feet to keep them dry or use odor-reducing products in your shoes, these might also be suspect. Usually, the dermatitis can be traced to a specific product component, such as an adhesive used in joining two parts of a shoe or an ingredient in a lotion you use on your feet.
Although you can react to a large number of substances, here are some of the common culprits we see with allergic contact dermatitis that affects the feet and ankles:
This can be challenging to do independently, especially if you suspect your shoes are the problem. Lotions and soaps usually feature a list of ingredients on the package, but a pair of shoes has no such requirement. The tag inside the shoe may identify the primary materials used, such as “100% leather upper,” but it won’t mention what kind of glues or other chemicals may have been utilized in the process. Or the tag may simply say, “Manmade materials,” which could be many things. Meanwhile, clothing like socks will generally only list the fabric content, leaving you to wonder which dyes and other chemicals might have been used to treat the cloth.
Fortunately, a podiatrist can perform “patch testing” to narrow down what you’re allergic to. In this minor procedure, the doctor will place a limited amount of each common allergen or irritant in a tiny area or patch, keeping track of what went where. When one or more patches begin to react with itching and other symptoms, the doctor will know what substance or substances are a problem.
To find out which shoes and socks contain these products, you may have to contact the manufacturer directly to inquire. This task is much simpler once you know what you’re allergic to, and you can simply ask if a line of shoes is made with this particular substance.
Once the cause has been identified, your doctor will advise you on familiar sources of the allergen and ways to avoid it. Additionally, they may prescribe a treatment to reduce your symptoms while you get rid of the substance, such as anti-itch creams or topical steroid preparations.
Your West Jordan podiatrist will also carefully examine your feet and search for signs of infection. The inflammation and scratching that often accompany a case of dermatitis can encourage the growth of bacterial or fungal infections. If one of these is present, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic or antifungal cream to address it. In more severe cases, the podiatrist may take a culture to learn what type of infection you have., or X-rays to ensure a serious infection hasn’t spread.
Sometimes the itchy rash turns out not to be dermatitis but another condition like Athlete’s Foot or a bacterial infection. Your foot and ankle specialist can also treat these conditions.
Don’t spend another minute itching, scratching, or uncomfortable in your own shoes. Contact the offices of Dr. Elizabeth Auger, DPM, to schedule a consultation. We can usually fit you in on the same day, and our office staff will answer any questions you have about insurance coverage. If you’ve already been diagnosed with dermatitis or another skin condition but need more help with your feet, we can work with your doctor’s office to transfer your records and continue your treatment.
During your consultation, Dr. Auger will examine your feet and ankles, review your medical history, and inquire about your symptoms. She will also perform tests as needed, including patch testing if the irritant can’t be easily identified. After diagnosing your dermatitis and checking for co-occurring issues like infections, Dr. Auger will create a comprehensive treatment plan to reduce itching and other symptoms.
1561 W 7000 S, Suite 200
West Jordan, Utah 84084
(801) 509-9959
3934 S 2300 E
Salt Lake City, UT 84124
(801) 396-9743