Skin rash on the back of the foot

Definition

The back of the foot, which is also called instep or instep, extends from the base of the shin to the toes. Some skin rashes appear preferentially on the back of the foot or attack this, among others. The rash does not have to be limited to the back of the foot, but can also spread to other parts of the foot or regions of the body. It is therefore difficult to define a rash on the back of the foot, as the cause, appearance and type of rash can be quite different. A rash on the back of the foot is basically any type of rash of any cause that is located on the back of the foot, among others or exclusively.

Causes

The causes of a rash on the back of the foot are very diverse and the appearance of the rash can be equally variable. Some rashes are confined to the back of the foot, while others occur in other parts of the body. The following is a brief discussion of some relevant causes of rashes on the back of the foot.

An allergic reaction can cause a rash, usually accompanied by itching. Triggering allergens can be the most diverse substances. For example, ointments, creams, cosmetics, shower gels, textiles (e.g. in shoes or socks) or various metals can be triggers for an allergic skin rash.

Characteristics of such a rash are redness and small, itchy and raised skin symptoms, which are called wheals. Such rashes are not sharply defined, so that surrounding skin areas can also be affected. Nevertheless, a certain proximity to the allergen is typical.

A newly occurring itchy skin rash on the back of the foot can be triggered, for example, by new footwear if there is an allergy to the materials it contains. Insect bites or a tick bite can also cause a rash on the back of the foot. Especially in warm summer or spring months, when you walk barefoot through grasses or forests, insect bites or tick bites can happen quickly and cause a rash.

A fungal disease can also be responsible for a rash on the back of the foot. Fungal diseases can look very different. The typical athlete’s foot is more likely to affect the spaces between the toes, but can also affect other regions of the foot, and shows severe scaling and dehydration of the skin.

Other fungal diseases such as tinea corporis show round skin appearances, which are darker at the edges, and can also be scaly. Typically, an accompanying itching also occurs. The back of the foot can also be affected by such a fungal disease.

Various infectious diseases such as measles, chickenpox or scarlet fever can also lead to skin rashes that affect the back of the foot. Typically, however, such rashes occur in a generalized manner, i.e. on the entire body. Toxic skin rashes are caused by substances that are toxic to the skin.

Above a certain dose of the substance, everyone gets a rash. Triggers can be cleaning agents or other substances. Typically, the rash is sharply limited to the area where the toxic substance has touched the skin.