So I have had a case of athletes foot or something similar to it my
entire life it seems.  There have been times as a child when it went
away but it hasnt gone away for years.  I do think that I get overall
a good amount of air to it as I sometimes dont wear socks or shoes in
the office.  I also change socks every day.  And my feet really smell
as do the socks that I wear.  Smells kinda like vinegar.  Lovely. I
try to wash them every morning and every night but it seems to do
little good to solving the problem though the smell will subside for a
little

Let me describe it.  It doesnt hurt or seem dry and it does not itch. 
Rather my right foot which is significantly worse than my left has
area on the balls as well as the bottom of my toes (the section that
would touch the ground) in which it is very tender and moist as if
missing a layer of skin.  I can feel it sometimes when i run as it is
more tender but its not a big issue.  I do a good amount of sports but
the topical creams such as lomasil or clotromazile seem to do little. 
I went to a doctor not too long ago and he quickly looked at my foot
and said it might be exzema.  I didnt really trust that he knew what
he was talking about but I got the eucerin cream to keep my foot moist
and used the topical steriod cream.  He said the only way to know if
it was exzema was to try the steroid and see if it improved the
situation. It didnt improve the situation and i think made it a little
worse.

My mother says that its hereditary though I dont know how bad her
condition is.  I doubt as bad as mine.  I also have sweaty palms in
general if thats the case.  So I have done some research online and
have not been able to find something that matches all of the symptons.
I also wonder if there is some sort of conclusive test that can be
done.  I looked at this
http://dermatology.about.com/cs/fungalinfections/a/athletesfoot.htm
and its not in the web of the foot nor is it scaley or dry nor painful
so it doesnt seem to match any category.

Hi
Do any of these images look familiar?
Cauition is advised for the squeamish when following links to some of
these pages on dermatological conditions.
http://images.google.com.au/images?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2004-42,GGLD:en&q=pitted%20keratolysis&sa=N&tab=wi
further discussion
http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic332.htm

Change the type of socks you wear, cotton vs. polyester or a blend. 
Start using a  anti-fungal foot powder.  See if you have any results
in a week or two.   If that does not provide the results you are
looking for try using a spray deordorant on your feet, again for a
week of two.

hardtofindbooks you should be a doctor!  It does look like the pics
you sent.  I went to a doctor today with the link you sent me printed
out and he confirmed.  He gave me the pIm very impressed. For 20 years
quite a few doctors have misdiagnosed this.  Even this doctor was
going to guess wrong.  I AM AMAZED BY GOOGLE ANSWERS!  You guys should
take over healthcare responsibilities in the united states.  How much
money has been wasted by me or insurance companies on doctors advice? 
And how much on expensive athletes footcream that doesnt work?
Hundreds.  You earned the 15 dollars and have my permission to charge
me.  Let me know if I need to do something.

i am a podiatrist and it seem you may be suffering from "SWEATY FEET" !

the skin around the areas you describe often become saturated with
sweat (much like when you sit in a bath too long and the ends of your
fingers go all soft ond white)

i usually suggest rubbing 70% alchol or surgical spirit into the areas
daily and avoid all creams and powders

you should find this helps

also salt water baths at regular intervals and a preperation available
at pharmacies in the uk called "NEAT FEET" ofr "DRY CHLOR" this is a
roll on deodrant and astringent.

if it is really bad a few crystals of Potassium permangamate in a bowl
of water and let your feet stay in the solution for 10 inuites daily.
this maty make your feet turn brown !

Hello again Superkav,
I'm very glad you got a good result, don't forget to share it with your mother.
Pleased to be of assistance.