Associated symptoms
A skin rash on the back of the foot can show different accompanying symptoms depending on the underlying cause. A very common accompanying symptom is itching, which is typical for fungal diseases or allergic skin rashes, for example. Pain can also be caused by scratching the skin, for example.
In the context of infectious diseases, such as measles or scarlet fever and a general feeling of illness can occur. Red dots are often referred to as papules or maculae in technical terminology. It is often also called maculopapular exanthema.
The appearance is often blotchy or dot-like. Red spots are typical for measles, chickenpox and scarlet fever, which are typical childhood diseases. Itching is a frequent accompanying symptom of skin rashes.
Skin rashes on the back of the foot also often show more or less pronounced itching. A typical cause of an itchy rash on the back of the foot is fungal disease. Furthermore, allergic reactions are very typical triggers for itchy skin rashes. In the context of infectious diseases, itching can also be an accompanying symptom of the rash.Chickenpox is very typical with a pronounced itching, whereas measles and scarlet fever do not usually itch.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of a rash on the back of the foot is made by an experienced dermatologist. The dermatologist will look at the rash and describe the findings first. This often helps to isolate the cause.
It is also important to ask about accompanying symptoms such as itching, pain, burning or similar. The doctor also asks important questions, such as when the rash started, whether it has changed, whether there was a triggering event or whether allergies are known. In some cases, skin swabs are also groundbreaking for the diagnosis.
Treatment
The therapy of the rash depends on the underlying disease, so that it is not possible to make general statements about it. In the case of allergic skin rashes on the back of the foot, it helps to avoid the triggering allergen first of all. Furthermore, antihistamines and, in pronounced cases, cortisone ointments can help to alleviate the symptoms.
Cortisone tablets are only taken in the case of very strong systemic allergic reactions. Fungal diseases are treated with drugs that kill the fungus and prevent its growth. These drugs are called antimycotics.
A frequently used drug for local application for nail fungus is Ciclopirox. For athlete’s foot, Terbinafine and Clotrimazole are used among others. For infectious diseases such as measles or chickenpox, special therapies are sometimes necessary. To treat the itchy rash of chickenpox, itch-killing ointments can be applied.
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