Madura foot is a type of fungal disease that affects the foot. It is a significant problem in various parts of Africa and India, though it can occur on people in any part of the world. Often known by the scientific name mycetoma pedis, Madura foot is characterized by often large growths all over the foot, particularly near the toes. The condition is usually painless, which is one of the reasons it is often allowed to progress to advanced stages without any treatment. The condition usually occurs after the skin has been broken and an organism is allowed to enter the body.
Agricultural workers are most likely to develop Madura foot, especially in locations in which barefoot workers are common. The condition developes when the skin is broken and a fungal spore is allowed to penetrate the body. When the growths begin to present themselves, they may be accompanied by a thick, mucus-like discharge. While the condition itself may not be painful, the growths can become uncomfortable and can interfere with normal mobility of the foot. The growths can spread throughout the foot and up the ankle and lower leg if left untreated, and after a longer period of time, pain and swelling can develop.
While no vaccine exists for Madura foot, some treatments are available. Various medications can reduce swelling and help stall or otherwise prevent the spread of the growths. In the most severe cases, amputation of the foot may be necessary. This is usually reserved for the most severe cases of Madura foot, as other complications can arise from amputation. The growths can also be surgically aspirated or otherwise lanced if the condition is fairly minor, though in more severe cases, such actions may not have significant effect.
Fatalities due to Madura foot are extremely rare, but people who are already susceptible to illness due to other conditions may be more severely affected than generally healthy people. Treatment of this condition is usually quite difficult because it is often in advanced stages by the time a person seeks treatment; many people resist initial treatment because the condition is painless until the growths become quite large. When this occurs, the necessity of amputation is more likely, though the growths may still be able to be removed surgically, depending on what type of mycetoma is present on the person's foot.