A Guide to Psoriasis on the Foot

When you think of an uncomfortable and common problem that can affect your feet, you might first think of athlete’s foot or a sprain. However, foot psoriasis is another common condition that can affect your feet and even your ability to use them comfortably. You may need to see an ankle and foot specialist in The Woodlands, TX, if you feel you have foot psoriasis. Read on to learn more about this condition.

An Overview

Your feet are obviously important for many daily tasks, but did you know just how complex they are? Each foot consists of a whopping 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 20 muscles, each of which combines to give your foot flexibility and strength to support your body weight. To this purpose, your body also builds the thickest layers of skin on the bottom of your foot. This skin provides cushioning and protection.

And while your feet are complex machines, one single problem can have serious effects on the entire foot, affecting your ability to stand, walk, or even sit comfortably. One such problem is foot psoriasis.

What Is Foot Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a condition likely linked to your immune system in which your body builds scaly, itchy, dry layers of skin in patches. Psoriasis can occur almost everywhere on your body. However, it’s a common problem on the feet. Psoriasis can be limited to the feet in a condition known as localized or palmoplantar pustular psoriasis (PPP).

Symptoms of Foot Psoriasis

Symptoms of this condition include scaly patches on your skin. These patches can feel firm or actually be sensitive to the touch. They may itch or even burn consistently. A common complaint about foot psoriasis is that it’s so uncomfortable that it can interfere with daily activities.

Pustules associated with PPP can look like small blisters or sores. They’re usually about 2-3 mm in diameter. They tend to appear in the fleshier areas of the feet, like around the thumb toe and on the sides of the heel. Softer skin is essentially more vulnerable to showing PPP pustules.

Developing This Condition

While there’s nothing that you could do to cause foot psoriasis, there are some known links to this condition, including a strong family history of foot psoriasis. This condition is more common in women than men and usually occurs in the 20 to 60 age group – essentially all pre-senior adults may be prone.

There are some possible links between foot injuries and foot psoriasis, particularly PPP. However, there is more research being done on this topic. Doctors are also researching the link between foot psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in the foot, in which psoriasis is accompanied by swollen and painful joints in the feet.

Seeing a Doctor

It’s extremely important that you see a doctor if you have any symptoms of foot psoriasis. Psoriasis on the foot can resemble other common foot conditions like athlete’s foot or even callouses around bunions. Only an advanced foot and ankle specialist can accurately diagnose and treat your condition. Call Ankle & Foot Specialists of Conroe, The Woodlands, to have an ankle doctor inspect your feet. Our ankle and foot center is staffed with the most experienced specialists in conditions like foot psoriasis. Should you need surgical treatment for psoriatic arthritis to repair your joints, we also have the best foot and ankle surgeons in The Woodlands, TX.