December checkup

Checkup with Dr. D. the Dermatologist yesterday. Feet and elbows passed inspection. Ankles have been itchy and red lately, so Dovobet is the answer (as for all these problems). Renewed prescriptions for Dovobet and tar cream. Sunshine and salt water in Cozumel seem to have done good things, too. Had the moles on my back checked, too, and nothing to report. Good.
See her again in June!

November and Shoes!

Diving, resting, salt water and sunshine! Very good for the feet. Some walking around the resort; more than I do at home!
But all was well.
Back home, there are some callouses, but no skin problems.
Shoes are a problem, tho'; nothing is comfortable and my orthotics need repair.

Feet will be footloose next week

Going diving in Mexico--Cozumel!--next week. Lots of soaking in salt water, giong barefoot and sandalfoot, maybe some sandy beach time... wonder how my feet will like that?
They are really good at the moment: lots of creams and care, and socks all the time.

My right foot is incredibly itchy today! But only a little flaky.
I am barefoot, and wearing sandals today, so that is probably why it is uncomfortable.
I haven't been entirely consistent in applying my night and day creams and wearing socks. Usually, though, I can catch up by soaking a little while in Doak Oil.
One thing of note: the Doak Oil Forte is much more effective than the plain variety.
Except for the itch and the bunions, my feet don't hurt lately, and that is A Good Thing!

Sore feet (bunions)

I have been buying shoes and experimenting with socks.
Winter seems to have damaged my feet: there are strange red spots in some places, and callusses and blisters forming on my inner left heel and the bunions on both feet, but worse on the left.
I am heading to Bonaire next week, so hope to be barefoot, underwater, and/or exposed to sunshine.
I see Dr. Dossetor at the end of May.

The Arm

So, I took my oozing arm to Dr. Dossetor on Feb. 7, because I already had an appointment. She said some Hmmms and prescribed antibiotics, inside and out.
She also took me off the "scary medicine" (Soriatane), as she thought that might be weakening my system.
It took 2 weeks, but it has healed. Still a little itchy and still a little red, but not much of a bother. What a mess!
(every time I put polysporin on it--especially from the tube at work) it flared up again.)
I'll go back to her in May for a foot check-up.

Feet are great, but what about the Arm?

So, about a week ago Monday-ish, I got a scratch on my left arm, on the inner forearm, in a spot that's always resting on desks, counters, knees, etc. It was a deep, straight scratch, but I don't remember it happening. In fact, people pointed it out to me before I noticed it myself. It didn't hurt. After a couple of days, though, it got itchy and reddish; oh, oh, an infection!
After that, things went straight to hell. I tried Polysporin, I tried alcohol (applied externally), I tried hot, hot water to urge the infection to hurry up and leave. On Friday when I went to Toronto, I had it well bandaged to keep out germs and keep ooze in.
But it got worse and worse. By Monday, it was a big bump that oozed yellow (and sometimes red) liquid all the time! It got redder and itchier. Then I remembered I still had some silver absorbent stuff left over from wound care of the foot, and I applied that on Wed. and Thurs. It seemed to do the trick. The oozing and itching have diminished a lot. It's still red and tender, but motly dry. What a pain!

January update

January 9 and the feet are still good. They are even better than in December. And the knees are good, too, because of my fitness trainer!
I am expecting to go skiing sometime this week, but have to get new ski boots as my feet have grown a couple of sizes!