Athletes Foot or Hand Foot Mouth on 23 Month Old

Dear S.,
It sounds to me like either athlete's foot or excema. Believe it or not, athletes foot can look pretty dry and scaly even though it's caused by a fungus that lurks in damp areas. Excema is a completely different skin condition marked by dry and red patches that get itchy.
I would soak her foot in a warm pan of epsom salts because it will feel good and help soak off anything on the surface. Then, dry her little foot and toes really well. Put her on your lap in the sunshine or use a cool blow dryer...but make sure her skin gets good and dry.
This may sound crazy, but rub some vick's vaporub on her foot after it's thoroughly dried and had time to air out. Some swear by it for clearing up nail fungus and also for quieting coughs and relieving cracked heels.
It can't hurt.

Best wishes!

Hi S., though it may sound strange, cutting down on sugar or completely removing it may be your best long term bet to getting rid of atheletes foot and similar foot funguses. Sugar affects everyone's immune system differently. Atheletes foot thrives on internal sources of sugar. Also keep her barefoot as often as possible and in LEATHER ONLY shoes and protected toe sandals. There are lots of choices out there at shoe stores.

My daughter had the same issue regarding the small red spots on her foot. I realized what I was using to clean the floors was too strong or just not good for her little feet. Try changing whatever cleaning solution you are using on your floors and see if the spots go away. That may also be making making the toes itchy.

Hi S.. It sounds more like Eczema to me. You can try putting some cream on it. Something with zinc works the best. I have had hand, foot and mouth and there would be more tell-tale signs. She would have a very high fever, trouble eating (because of blisters in her mouth), just a total feeling of blah. She wouldn't play or anything because it takes all your energy. I wouldn't think that a baby could get athlete's foot unless she has been exposed to the bacteria like in a shower or if her feet are constantly wet. Eczema sounds like the best bet. I hope this helps.
L.

We had hand foot mouth go through all our kids last spring. It doesn't sound like what you are explaining. There would be a fever and she would be miserable. Also there would be sores in the back of her mouth.

Try putting some aquaphor on it and see if that helps.

Yes, a 23mo can get athletes foot. Get some lamisil at Walmart. It comes in a purple tube and put it on her feet as directed. My daughter had a HORRIBLE case of athletes foot for a year and the doctor could not figure out what it was. My dh looked at it and said "that looks like athletes foot, I get it all the time" so I put the lamisil on it and it was gone within a week.

T.

Hi S.,

There are natural solutions for this condition.

If you want more info let me know and I will share.

Your babies body needs to be more alkaline.

Have a great day.

N. Marie

S.,

We just went the rounds with hand foot and mouth with my daughter a few months ago- If it was that your daughter would have a fever and sores in her mouth as well- not just her foot. If it is localized to her foot I would lean toward the athletes foot... With the hand foot and mouth they are just misreable!

M.

Hi S.. Our 25 month old had similar to what you are describing(dry, very itchy, small red bumps) but on his hands and just a few of the red bumps on one foot. It was diagnosed as the hand, foot, and mouth virus. He never had a fever and it lasted for about a week. I used benedryl cream on his hands (especially in the middle of the night when it seemed to be miserably itchy for him) and then I would also use really cold wash cloths (soak one in ice water) or even a cube of ice to hold directly on the itchy spots for a few minutes. It seemed to 'zap' the itch, or at least it entertained him enough to think of something else. The other thing is to try and avoid them scratching as it just makes it worse (the itching). It's also high contagious (my 9yo got a slight case) but other than the discomfort, not seriously harmful. This was my experience but I think you are correct in checking in with your doctor. Good luck!

It doesn't sound like althlete's foot to me because it is dry and itchy. Whenever I have had it (and now my son, alas at 20 months) it is because his feet are moist and sweaty. It sounds to me like it could be what others have suggested - eczema or a reaction to a product perhaps. There was a recent question on natural cleaning products with some great suggestions. It is a bit strange that it is only on one foot though. It doesn't sound like an emergency and you could probably wait to see the pediatrician next week.