Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentFAQs
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
FAQs
Pittedkeratolysisis a non-contagious bacterial infection that affects the skin.
The infection typically develops on the soles of the feet in people that suffer from excessive sweat,but it can also affect the palms of the hands.
This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for pitted keratolysis.
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Pitted Keratolysis Symptoms
Many symptoms can develop in a person with pitted keratolysis. The most common symptom of the condition is afoul smell coming from the feet. As many as 100% of people with the condition will have this particular symptom.Other common symptoms include:
While the soles of the feet are the most commonly affected areas, the condition can develop in other places, such as:
Can Pitted Keratolysis Be Asymptomatic?In many cases, people with pitted keratolysis do not experience any symptoms.
Can Pitted Keratolysis Be Asymptomatic?
In many cases, people with pitted keratolysis do not experience any symptoms.
What Do Skin Infections Look Like?
These bacteria species thrive in areas that are warm and moist. Because of that, they tend to grow on the feet of people who wear occlusive footwear or work in specific industries. It can also be found in people who often go barefoot. Pitted keratolysis can be commonly found in:
Many research studies regarding pitted keratolysis have found that people who work outside of these industries or in office settings are also found to commonly have the condition.
The most common associated factor with pitted keratolysis is sweaty feet and occlusive footwear. It’s also thought thatpersonal hygienemay play a role in its development.
Hyperhidrosis and Pitted KeratolysisHyperhidrosisis a condition that causes excessive sweat across the body, including the feet. People with hyperhidrosis may be more prone to pitted keratolysis.
Hyperhidrosis and Pitted Keratolysis
Hyperhidrosisis a condition that causes excessive sweat across the body, including the feet. People with hyperhidrosis may be more prone to pitted keratolysis.
Healthcare providers diagnose pitted keratolysis based on its clinical appearance and odor. In some cases, other areas of the body, such as the groin, may be examined to determine if other bacterial conditions are present alongside pitted keratolysis.
There are specific tests used to confirm a diagnosis before beginning treatment. Those tests include:
What Could Be Mistaken for Pitted Keratolysis?Other skin conditions may appear similar to pitted keratolysis; thus, a correct diagnosis is required. Those conditions include:Basal cell nevus syndromeFocal acral hyperkeratosisKeratolysis exfoliativePlantar wartsAthlete’s foot
What Could Be Mistaken for Pitted Keratolysis?
Other skin conditions may appear similar to pitted keratolysis; thus, a correct diagnosis is required. Those conditions include:Basal cell nevus syndromeFocal acral hyperkeratosisKeratolysis exfoliativePlantar wartsAthlete’s foot
Other skin conditions may appear similar to pitted keratolysis; thus, a correct diagnosis is required. Those conditions include:
Effective treatment options are available for people with pitted keratolysis. Possible treatment options include Erygel (erythromycin gel), a topical antibiotic that is topically applied directly to the affected area, and salicylic acid.
How Long Does Treatment Last?The treatment for pitted keratolysis depends entirely on the severity of the infection. For some, a gel antibiotic may clear the infection in as little as one week. Others with a worse infection may need antibiotics for as long as eight weeks.
How Long Does Treatment Last?
The treatment for pitted keratolysis depends entirely on the severity of the infection. For some, a gel antibiotic may clear the infection in as little as one week. Others with a worse infection may need antibiotics for as long as eight weeks.
Every Antibiotics Question You Have, Answered
Summary
Pitted keratolysis is a common bacterial infection that affects the soles of the feet. Many people with the infection do not experience any symptoms. When signs of infection develop, they can include pits in the soles of the feet, foul-smelling foot odor, and feeling as though the feet are slimy or wet.
Some research suggests that pitted keratolysis is most commonly found in people who work in specific industries where people often have wet feet or have to wear occlusive footwear. However, the infection can occur in anyone that wears occlusive footwear and has excessively sweaty feet. Other recommended lifestyle changes you might adopt are not sharing towels or shoes with others, using absorbent cotton socks, and drying your feet properly every time you take a bath or wash your feet.
Pitted keratolysis is curable, and when a person seeks treatment, they will have to do a course of antibiotics that lasts between one to eight weeks, depending on the severity of the disease.
A Word From Verywell
Having pitted keratolysis can be uncomfortable and even painful. That said, it is usually simple to treat once you get a proper diagnosis. If you notice any odd symptoms, such as pits in the feet or a strong and foul foot odor, visit your healthcare provider.
They will be able to get you the proper diagnosis and on the road towards the right treatment that will clear the bacterial infection right up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pitted keratolysis isn’t serious, and not everyone with it will experience uncomfortable symptoms. It is highly treatable with antibiotics.That said, the foot odor that develops because of the infection can be strong and foul. Because of that, people may deal with social repercussions or self-esteem issues before getting it treated.Learn MoreSmelly Feet: Causes, Treatments, and Outlook
Pitted keratolysis isn’t serious, and not everyone with it will experience uncomfortable symptoms. It is highly treatable with antibiotics.That said, the foot odor that develops because of the infection can be strong and foul. Because of that, people may deal with social repercussions or self-esteem issues before getting it treated.
Pitted keratolysis isn’t serious, and not everyone with it will experience uncomfortable symptoms. It is highly treatable with antibiotics.
That said, the foot odor that develops because of the infection can be strong and foul. Because of that, people may deal with social repercussions or self-esteem issues before getting it treated.
Learn MoreSmelly Feet: Causes, Treatments, and Outlook
Learn MoreCommon Fungal and Bacterial Infections of the Foot
Pitted keratolysis is typically localized to the feet, specifically, the soles of the feet. In some rarer cases, the condition can also develop on the palms of the hands. Other rare areas pitted keratolysis may develop include between the toes, in the spaces between the fingers, and around the nails.Learn MoreProper Hand Washing Technique in Healthcare
Pitted keratolysis is typically localized to the feet, specifically, the soles of the feet. In some rarer cases, the condition can also develop on the palms of the hands. Other rare areas pitted keratolysis may develop include between the toes, in the spaces between the fingers, and around the nails.
Learn MoreProper Hand Washing Technique in Healthcare
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.de Almeida HL Jr, Siqueira RN, Meireles Rda S, Rampon G, de Castro LA, Silva RM.Pitted keratolysis.An Bras Dermatol.2016;91(1):106-108. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20164096Kaptanoglu AF, Yuksel O, Ozyurt S.Plantar pitted keratolysis: a study from non-risk groups.Dermatol Reports.2012;4(1):e4. doi:10.4081/dr.2012.e4DermNet NZ.Pitted keratolysis.Makhecha M, Dass S, Singh T, Gandhi R, Yadav T, Rathod D.Pitted keratolysis - a study of various clinical manifestations.Int J Dermatol.2017;56(11):1154-1160. doi:10.1111/ijd.13744Pranteda G, Carlesimo M, Pranteda G, et al.Pitted keratolysis, erythromycin, and hyperhidrosis.Dermatol Ther.2014;27(2):101-104. doi:10.1111/dth.12064
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.de Almeida HL Jr, Siqueira RN, Meireles Rda S, Rampon G, de Castro LA, Silva RM.Pitted keratolysis.An Bras Dermatol.2016;91(1):106-108. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20164096Kaptanoglu AF, Yuksel O, Ozyurt S.Plantar pitted keratolysis: a study from non-risk groups.Dermatol Reports.2012;4(1):e4. doi:10.4081/dr.2012.e4DermNet NZ.Pitted keratolysis.Makhecha M, Dass S, Singh T, Gandhi R, Yadav T, Rathod D.Pitted keratolysis - a study of various clinical manifestations.Int J Dermatol.2017;56(11):1154-1160. doi:10.1111/ijd.13744Pranteda G, Carlesimo M, Pranteda G, et al.Pitted keratolysis, erythromycin, and hyperhidrosis.Dermatol Ther.2014;27(2):101-104. doi:10.1111/dth.12064
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
de Almeida HL Jr, Siqueira RN, Meireles Rda S, Rampon G, de Castro LA, Silva RM.Pitted keratolysis.An Bras Dermatol.2016;91(1):106-108. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20164096Kaptanoglu AF, Yuksel O, Ozyurt S.Plantar pitted keratolysis: a study from non-risk groups.Dermatol Reports.2012;4(1):e4. doi:10.4081/dr.2012.e4DermNet NZ.Pitted keratolysis.Makhecha M, Dass S, Singh T, Gandhi R, Yadav T, Rathod D.Pitted keratolysis - a study of various clinical manifestations.Int J Dermatol.2017;56(11):1154-1160. doi:10.1111/ijd.13744Pranteda G, Carlesimo M, Pranteda G, et al.Pitted keratolysis, erythromycin, and hyperhidrosis.Dermatol Ther.2014;27(2):101-104. doi:10.1111/dth.12064
de Almeida HL Jr, Siqueira RN, Meireles Rda S, Rampon G, de Castro LA, Silva RM.Pitted keratolysis.An Bras Dermatol.2016;91(1):106-108. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20164096
Kaptanoglu AF, Yuksel O, Ozyurt S.Plantar pitted keratolysis: a study from non-risk groups.Dermatol Reports.2012;4(1):e4. doi:10.4081/dr.2012.e4
DermNet NZ.Pitted keratolysis.
Makhecha M, Dass S, Singh T, Gandhi R, Yadav T, Rathod D.Pitted keratolysis - a study of various clinical manifestations.Int J Dermatol.2017;56(11):1154-1160. doi:10.1111/ijd.13744
Pranteda G, Carlesimo M, Pranteda G, et al.Pitted keratolysis, erythromycin, and hyperhidrosis.Dermatol Ther.2014;27(2):101-104. doi:10.1111/dth.12064
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