Hi everyone!

I have a question. I have tiny little craters about the size of a grain of sand on the side of my feet about thirty to fifty. When I put lotion on my feet the lotion goes inside the tiny crates and builds up in the timy crates and I have to use the skin shavers to remove the layers on a weekly bases.

I asked my doctor and they told me to keep them clean.

What do you think it comes from because my parents did not have them?

I wish I had an answer because I seem to have similar symptoms although my 'craters' are on the underside of my heel. It appears that the skin is being broken down by the presence of some kind of fungus or perhps a bacteria. There are no other symptoms though, generally my feet are in good shape its just every so often, maybe once or twice a year I get this infestation. I have not been fortunate to find these symtoms described anywhere online. A bit of a puzzler this one. Good luck to us huh!?

Dear Gorious
The "craters" could be a condition called pitted keratolysis which is characterized by crateriform pitting that primarily affects the pressure-bearing aspects of the plantar surface of the feet and, occasionally, the palms of the hand as collarettes of scale. The manifestations are due to a superficial cutaneous bacterial infection. This condition usually occurs when there is an increase in skin surface ph, hyperhidrosis and when the skin is under prolonged occlusion, this creates an environment which allows certain bacteria to proliferate and creates pits in the skin. The treatment usually involves limiting the use of occlusive shoe gear, changing your soaks frequentl, antiperspirants, and/ or topical or oral antibiotics such as erythromycin or clindamycin. A combination of the above is usually prescribed. However, a trip to the doctor is in order for an accurate diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan.

Good-luck and thank-you for contacting foot.com,
SBarlizo, DPM, C Ped
foot.com expert