Here you will find information on the conditions that can affect the top of the feet in adults. This area of the foot is often spared by the many conditions that can affect the feet. However, a massive athlete's foot infection may extend over the top of the foot. If the skin becomes infected, particularly in a person with diabetes, cellulitis can take over. As with any area that is exposed to the sun, sun-induced conditions from sunburn to melanoma can affect this part of the foot. Granuloma annulare is a skin condition that involves painless rising of the skin that can occur on the top of the foot.
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Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis is a delayed hypersensitivity reaction (the reaction to the allergen occurs 48–72 hours after exposure). The most common allergens causing allergic contact dermatitis…
Athlete's Foot (Tinea Pedis)
Tinea pedis, also known as ringworm of the foot or athlete's foot, is a surface (superficial) fungal infection of the skin of the foot. The most common fungal disease in humans, athlete's foot, may be passed to humans…
Bug Bite or Sting
Bites or stings from insects (arthropods) are very common. Most reactions are mild and result due to an allergic reaction to either the insect or the toxins injected with the bite or sting.
Cellulitis
Cellulitis is an infection of the deeper skin tissue, which is most often caused by the bacteria
Streptococcus or
Staphylococcus. These bacteria are able to invade the skin through small cracks…
Granuloma Annulare
Granuloma annulare is a common skin condition characterized by bumps appearing over the joints and the backs of the hands. Its cause is not known, and most episodes of granuloma annulare clear up after a few years…
Lichen Simplex Chronicus
Lichen simplex chronicus (LSC), also known as neurodermatitis circumscripta, is an itchy skin condition causing thickened skin at the areas of skin injured by repeated scratching and rubbing. Lichen simplex…
Melanoma
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United Sates, and it is the sixth most common cause of cancer death in the United States. Melanoma is the least common of the skin cancers (the other types are squamous…
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma usually occurs on sun-damaged skin, especially in light-skinned individuals with a long history of chronic sun…
Stasis Dermatitis
Dermatitis is a term used to describe irritation of the skin with scaling, rough or dry skin, redness, itching, and sometimes oozing, crusts, and erosions. Stasis is a term used to describe leg swelling seen in…
Sunburn
Sunburn is caused by the skin's reaction to ultraviolet light exposure. It appears as reddening and tenderness of the skin and usually occurs between 12 and 24 hours after the exposure.
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Abscess
An abscess is a infection characterized by a collection of pus underneath a portion of the skin. Bacteria commonly causing abscesses are Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus. These bacteria enter the skin…
Callus
A callus (tyloma) is a thickening of the skin that occurs in response to excessive, repeated shear or friction forces, commonly due to constant rubbing of the skin.
Common Wart
Warts are growths of the skin and mucous membranes (the mouth or genitals) that are caused by over 100 types of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Common warts are usually found on areas of the body prone to trauma, such…
Corn
Corns are thickenings of the skin composed of keratin that are typically found on the toes caused by repeated friction or pressure to the area. The base of the corn is seen on the surface of the skin while the top points…
Diabetic Ulcer (Neurogenic Ulcer)
Neurogenic ulcers, also known as diabetic ulcers, are ulcers that occur most commonly on the bottom of the foot. People with diabetes are predisposed to peripheral neuropathy, which involves a decreased or total…
Dyshidrotic Eczema (Dyshidrotic Dermatitis)
Dyshidrotic eczema (dyshidrotic dermatitis) is generally defined as a rash limited to the hands (usually the palms and sides of the fingers) and sometimes the feet. Dyshidrotic eczema manifests as small, itchy…
Gout
Gout, also called gouty arthritis, is a disease of how the body processes nutrients (metabolism) in which crystals of uric acid are deposited in the joints, tendons, and skin. Most commonly affecting men, gout…
Lentigo Simplex
Lentigo simplex is a type of color-containing (pigmented) lesion not caused by sun exposure, which looks like the freckle-like condition (lentigo) caused by sun exposure (solar lentigo). In both conditions, an…
Mole (Nevus)
A mole (nevus) is a non-cancerous (benign) skin lesion that is made up of the color-producing (pigment-producing) cells of the skin (melanocytes). A mole that is present at birth is referred to as a congenital…
Mole, Atypical (Atypical Nevus)
Atypical moles (atypical nevi) or dysplastic moles (dysplastic nevi), are caused by collections of the color-producing (pigment-producing) cells of the skin (melanocytes) in which the cells grow in an abnormal…
Myxoid Cyst
A myxoid cyst (also known as a digital mucous cyst or pseudocyst) is a growth usually occurring on the finger. The cysts are believed to form from deteriorated issues.
Pitted Keratolysis
Pitted keratolysis is a skin condition affecting the soles of the feet and, less commonly, the palms of the hands. It is caused by a bacterial infection of the skin and may give off an unpleasant odor.
Plantar Wart
Warts are growths of the skin and mucous membranes (the mouth or genitals) that are caused by over 100 types of the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus causes thickening of the top skin layer. A plantar wart occurs…
Post-Inflammatory Hypopigmentation
Post-inflammatory hypopigmentation is a loss of skin color (pigmentation) after your skin heals from an injury. The pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) are damaged or destroyed in the healing process.
Raynaud's Disease
Raynaud's disease is a disorder in which the blood vessels to the fingers and toes (digits) become abnormally closed off (constricted). The fingers and toes of individuals with Raynaud's disease change color from…
Shingles (Zoster)
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus remains sleeping…
Solar Lentigo
A solar lentigo (plural, solar lentigines), also known as a sun-induced freckle or senile lentigo, is a dark (hyperpigmented) lesion caused by natural or artificial ultraviolet (UV) light. Solar lentigines may…
Stasis Ulcer
A stasis ulcer is a breakdown of the skin (ulcer) caused by fluid build-up in the skin from poor vein function (venous insufficiency). Fluid leaks from the veins into skin tissue when the blood backs up rather than…