Skin rash on the sole of the foot

What is a skin rash on the sole of the foot?

A skin rash on the sole of the foot is a skin condition that develops acutely and spreads over the sole of the foot. Characteristic is the “sowing” or “blossoming” of the skin change, which is in the word exanthema. This term is used in medical jargon instead of rash. It indicates that the rash is spread over larger areas of the sole of the foot.

Causes

Skin rashes of the sole of the foot can have many different causes. They can be caused by endogenous trigger mechanisms. They are usually symmetrically arranged.

Causes of these endogenous mechanisms include viral inflammation, fungal infections or drug reactions. A frequent cause of a skin rash on the sole of the foot and between the toes in adults is athlete’s foot. In addition, viruses and certain medications can trigger the hand-foot (mouth) syndrome including skin rash on the sole of the foot.

They can also be caused by exogenous triggers. In these cases, asymmetrical distribution patterns appear. Contact dermatitis can cause a rash on the sole of the foot.

Here, a distinction is made between allergic contact dermatitis and toxic contact dermatitis. In the allergic form, a certain allergen triggers the reaction on contact with the sole of the foot. The reaction is dose-independent.

In the toxic form, the sole of the foot reacts depending on the amount of the irritating, toxic substance. In addition, inexplicably, sometimes a fungal infection can be asymmetrical. Skin rashes of the sole of the foot can also develop without infection.

In these cases one speaks of parainfectious skin rashes. Increased perspiration or heat and excitement can lead to skin rashes on the sole of the foot and the palms of the hands. Furthermore, a distinction is made between an allergic and pseudoallergic cause.

Rheumatic diseases or other autoimmunological diseases can also cause a rash on the sole of the foot. In children, cold weather in the winter months often causes skin changes on the soles of the feet. In addition, a rash on the soles of the feet and on the palms of the hands can be caused by a special form of psoriasis. However, this occurs less frequently.