Podoconiosis Prevention and Treatment
Its Symptoms
Early symptoms commonly include itching of the skin of the forefoot and a burning sensation in the foot and lower leg.- Splaying of the forefoot, plantar oedema with lymph ooze, increased skin markings, hyperkeratosis with the formation of moss-like papillomata (left) and rigid toes
- Later, the swelling may be one of two types: soft and fluid, or hard and fibrotic, often associated with multiple hard skin nodules.
- Acute adenolymphangitis episodes occur in which the patient becomes febrile and the limb warm and painful.
Podoconiosis Prevention
- Avoiding or minimizing exposure to irritant soils by wearing shoes
- Covering floor surfaces inside traditional huts
- Wash feet daily with soap and water
Podoconiosis Treatment
- Foot hygiene : daily washing with soap and water (diluted bleach is also useful in the early stages of treatment)
- Skin care: use of simple ointment/ moisturizer
- Daily use of socks and shoes
- Use of elastic bandage
- Elevation and movement
- Minor Surgery to remove nodules
Podoconiosis Treatment helps to
- Eliminate the bad odour
- Prevent and heal entry scratch
- Help patients self-confident
- Reduce the size of the lymphoedema
- prevent disability
- Prevent economic loss
- Make the foot fit for a shoe
