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

       

Our Vision: To see Ethiopia free of podoconiosis

Our Mission: To coordinate and standardize efforts for the elimination of podoconiosis, to build the capacity of members and other stakeholders, and to support research for evidence based interventions.