Red soles
 

Hi,

I am new to this forum.

I have had problems with pain for awhile. Diagnosed Dec. with Peripheral Neuropathy.

Could anyone tell me if they have problems with the soles of their feet turning really red especially at night with a lot of pain?

BonDon

I have this problem... definitely! I was never sure what is was and I showed my feet (they were always getting slightly red and would progress (and by progress I mean they would get more and more red though the day) to doctors and they never seemed to think anything of it. (The soles of my feet also go mottled randomly/occasionally with small white spots) Finally one dr said that I did not have much padding on the bottoms of my feet, and they could be turning red because of this, and it could be making the pain worse. So they suggested I have more cushioning under my feet. I switched into Asics (sneakers) which have gel cushioning- and my feet feel so much better when I walk- they aren't cured from pain, but it relieves some strain and therefore the pain reaction to walking in much less. The redness on my soles at night is also reduced.

The *At night* part I don't think has ever really been explained by medicine, but it seem generally accepted that this is one of the ways PN is.

Is there skin cracking too?

Red Soles
 

Mrs D,

No, I do not have any Skin Cracking. Everyday when I get up I have to use a Heel Balm to be able to wear clogs. My feet stays smooth, but red and painful.

Do you know if problems with Glucose Intolerance, or Lyme Disease can cause red soles?

BonDon

The most common cause of redness of the feet is a fungal infection. Sometimes the fungus stays in the deeper layers of
of the skin. It may cause cracking and dryness, which you are putting the Heel cream over.

Is this the product you use?
http://www.drugstore.com/qxp92719_33.../heel_balm.htm

If so, it is possible you are having irritation from one of the ingredients. Urea can irritate the skin

I would stop the cream for a month and see what happens, if any changes.

Dry skin can be better treated by consuming enough essential fatty acids so that the skin can
repair itself. Very dry feet/heels are an indicator you may not be eating enough.
Here is my essential fatty acids thread (EFA):
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=6092

With no skin cracking, this sounds like erythromelalgia. It causes to soles and sometimes the palms to turn red and burn. I find it happens under the covers at night, waking me with burning pain, or when I stand for too long in one place, or when I take a warm shower, or when I am simply too warm. It's heat triggered. You can google it to find out more.

I suffer from this from time-to-time as well as Reynaud's and sometimes extreme itching. I think they are all related, though my Mother has Reynaud's, so that may be hereditary. It usually resolves with time. If my feet and hands are burning from the redness, it does help to cool them down under the tap.

Mere

Yes! Since the pn started I have noticed that the palms of my hands and soles of my feet are a deeper pink than before and off and on through the day get red. I also have asked various doctors about this. The last one (a neurologist) said it was related to impaired glucose tolerance. But I don't have igt.

Redness on feet (now Knees)
 

hey, i've also got red soles - but it's pretty much constant - really purple in certain lighting and most prominent after shower.

two days ago this redness showed on my knees - knees are yet to burn and tingle like my feet are.

i'm so confused and sad over this whole thing - and i'm not 100% certain it is PN or what caused it.

update.....
 

Ok, so since i'm supposed to go out of country next week I thought i'd visit the ER. ER doc says - i need a dermatologist - told him i've seen two before accepting the PN diagnosis - then called my Neurologist and said - turning red on knees and he says i need to see a derm.
I hope that none of you had to go what i'm going through to try to find help and answers for this.

This sounds like--
 

--there could be a vascular component to it; are there any positional differences in the onset or severity of symptoms?

Neuropathy of the small autonomic fibers can cause trophic changes along these lines; people with small fiber neuropathy often have autonomic symptoms that can include disturbances in blood flow, blood pressure, sweat response, and the like.

Also, a number of the vascular/connective tissue autoimmune conditions associated with anti-nuclear antibodies can produce such discolorations, and they also often produce neuropathy:

http://neuromuscular.wustl.edu/antib...html#vascassoc

I would think you'd need a more thorough work-up at a major center or teaching hospital

I agree, I just can't figure out how to find the right doctor here, and what type? .... heck, I live 5 blocks from UAB in Birmingham Al.

I'm up for a vacation since I decided not to go to Puerta Vallarta so if someone could suggest some really good hospitals (in some fun cities maybe) to look at that would be great!

who to contact?
 

if I find a teaching hospital, what type of contact do i look for at the hospital if my problem concerns PN, Skin Dissorder, Pain?

Do i need to go through this entire, each doctor at a time? or should i start with like the skin, and move on ...

at 50..... this is where I want my momma to do all the work! :winky: