mystery rash

[penpen973]

my husband has a dry patch of skin with what appears to be small blisters underneath. when the blisters pop clear fluid comes out, and the skin dries and then peels. It does not seem to heal at all. He thought it was athletes foot, but athletes foot cream makes it worse. He is an EMT and wheres boots most of the time. Can you help me figure out what it is? Thank You.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Blisters can be caused by intense rubbing or friction. They can also be seen in moist skin as one always covered with sweat or water. It can also be fungal infection. Blisters can also be a part of contact dermatitis like contact with soap, detergents, powder etc. Pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid are the other conditions that should be ruled out.
There are other causes of blisters too but probably they do not apply in your case. These are Dermatitis herpetiformis, chronic bullous dermatosis, cutaneous radiation syndrome (following a radiation--maybe for cancers or X-rays or CT scans), and Epidermolysis Bullosa.
Though painless shingles is rare, that is another possibility that cannot be completely ruled out. Please consult a skin specialist regarding this as a confirmed diagnosis cannot be given on net without examining the rash. Take care!

[zulupanda]

I sometimes get rashes like that, but on my stomach. Generally for me, it is caused my nickel. Your husband may be having an allergic reaction to his boots or socks. Has he tried changing boots recently?