Foot Problem, Doctor Perplexed

Updated on July 23, 2008
M.B. asks from Bedford, NH
8 answers

My son has been complaining of foot pain a lot. One day I looked at his feet and he had two identical bumps that looked like bug bites one on each foot in exactly the same place. The doc said they were bug bites and recommended hydrocortizone. I used that and the bumps looked a bit better. A few days later he could barely walk and I looked again and his feet are just COVERED in those same bumps. They're not blisters but other than that the symptoms are similar to hand,foot and mouth disease. He doesn't have anything on his hands or in his mouth. He is starting to be able to walk comfortably again and we have an appointment for a dermatologist tomorrow where I hope we will get some answers. I just wondered if anyone here has ever seen anything like it. They really do look like bug bites but they don't itch. They aren't warts. He has a lot of warts, too, but this is different. The warts aren't causing him any pain.

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So What Happened?

We went to the dermatologist on Monday morning. The dermatologist was perplexed and called in another dermatologist who was also fairly perplexed. He said it wasn't warts or a virus. It's an inflammation. It looks like bug bites but they felt like it wasn't bug bites. They don't itch but are painful. They mentioned two conditions GA and EN but neither really fit. Since none of these things are dangerous and the bumps are going away and Alex is now no longer in pain they've given us some anti-inflammatory cream to put on it. We'll go back in 5 weeks to check it again. To DX the GA or EN a biopsy is needed but since it's clearing up nobody wanted to put my son through a biopsy. Fortunately, he's walking normally now and feeling well so unless the problem comes up again I guess I'll just try not to worry about it.

Thanks for all the responses!!!

M.

Featured Answers

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L.D.

answers from Hartford on

Even though it is on his feet, I recommend using a dermatologist since this is skin issue. Other than warts or molluskum (sp), the other thing to consider could be 'swimmers itch'. If you have been to the beach or water, and he walked around barefoot at low tide especially, he could have caught the parasite that causes it. While it is typically an itch, I had it once and it was very painful. Even though my whole family was at the beach that day, I was the only one that got it. Something to consider. Good luck.

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J.A.

answers from Boston on

Hi M.,

Without seeing them I am guessing that these "bumps" are likely caused by a virus similar to warts. The dermatolagist is definately the best person to diagnose.

Although pediatrican's are schooled in the most common rashes and skin lesions most M.D.'s are not too up to date with skin disorders so it is not surprising that yours referred you. A specialist is the best way to go. Best Wishes.

J. L.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.T.

answers from Boston on

I just wanted to comment that my son had hand foot and mouth disease as a young toddler, and he only had spots on his feet and a mild temp. Nothing else, but that was what the DR said it was. Yet, I thought that was only something that toddlers catch? Why not go to a foot DR rather than a dermotologist..
Best of Luck I hope you get some answers!!

1 mom found this helpful
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R.F.

answers from Boston on

Hi M.!
Try googling "mollescum" and see what they say. It sounds like it could be that. Mollescum is a wart-like virus that can be very painful and is quite contaigous. It likes to grow in warm, moist environments like locker rooms and indoor pools. If you've visited any of those types of environments lately and he's walked around barefoot that could be what it is. I work at a health food store and the schools near us tend to have outbreaks on occasion. The homeopathic remedy Thuja works great for it.

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H.S.

answers from Boston on

I am not sure where you are, but there is an awesome podiatrist in Brookline, MA. He saw my son (now 9) over a year ago because he had warts. He is great with kids, and I like his approach.
His name is Frank Santopietro, 1180 Beacon Street, Suite 4D, Brookline, MA 02446, ###-###-####.
Good luck!

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S.W.

answers from Burlington on

They could be plantar warts. These don't look like usual warts because they grow down into the skin. Your dermatologist should be able to tell.

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L.Q.

answers from Boston on

I would also take him to a foot doctor a good one! I have too many foot problems myself but mine were easy to figure out & fix. Does your son walk funny because of his asperger's?
I had to have a bone removed in both my feet called sesamoid bones. You could not see anything on the outside of my feet though. I also have bunions which can hurt so bad you can barely walk & some people I know get like a callus type thing on the outside of their feet due to them. Mine are not that bad though. My foot doctor was awesome! His name is Dr. George Ducach he is located in Quincy, MA near Furnace Brook Parkway.
Good luck!

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P.H.

answers from Boston on

Possibly a staph infection????

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