Peeling feet can indicate an underlying problem that may need medical care even though the feet are used to wear and tear. The most frequent causes of skin peeling on the bottoms of the feet include athlete’s foot, sunburn, dermatitis, or dry skin.
For more information on the causes of and remedies for peeling feet, continue reading.
Peeling feet could be caused by a variety of factors. The peeling is typically manageable, despite the fact that it may be inconvenient and make you feel self-conscious.
According to Healthline, here are some possible causes of feet peeling.
Athlete’s foot
A fungal ailment called athlete’s foot mainly affects the feet. It typically begins between your toes and can affect either one or both of your feet.
The main symptoms of athlete’s foot include:
- a red, scaly, itchy rash
- burning
- stinging
- peeling
- blistering
- dryness and scaliness
The health publication also notes that by getting into contact with the fungus that causes athlete’s foot, you can develop it. Athlete’s foot can be contracted directly from an infected person or through contact with fungus-contaminated surfaces.
Eczema
One kind of skin ailment is eczema. Although there are other forms, atopic dermatitis is the most prevalent.
On every part of your body, eczema can develop. It can form on your feet even though it seems to occur more frequently on the arms, elbows, back of the knees, and scalp.
The main symptoms of eczema typically include:
- a red, itchy rash, which is the most common symptom
- dry, itchy skin
- peeling
- cracked skin
- skin infections
It’s not contagious, and it may, in some cases, become less severe with age.
Dry skin
Rough, scaly, and itchy skin are typical characteristics of dry skin. Furthermore, it is prone to irritation, which can cause peeling.
Certain people simply have naturally dry skin, however, in certain circumstances, dry skin may have a medical cause. Whether you have an underlying ailment or not, the following factors can cause or exacerbate dry skin on your feet:
- low humidity
- hot showers or baths
- dehydration
- too much sun exposure
- stress
- smoking
Psoriasis
A persistent condition known as psoriasis results in raised, red patches with silvery scales. There are sometimes physical symptoms associated with these patches, such as pain or itching. On your body, they can happen everywhere. Most often, this affects the bottoms of the feet.
Psoriasis patches are caused by an increase of skin cells. Psoriasis is an immunological disorder that has an unidentified cause. Most likely, genetics also has an impact.
Although the patches typically appear and disappear, psoriasis is a lifelong condition. Flare-ups occur more frequently:
- in the winter
- after an infection, such as strep throat
- when you’re stressed
- after drinking alcohol
- when your skin is irritated
Hyperhidrosis
A condition called hyperhidrosis results in excessive perspiration. Your entire body might be impacted or just a specific place. Your feet’s soles are frequently impacted.
If your feet sweat a lot, the skin may get irritated, red, and start to peel.
At-home treatments
You can begin treating your foot peeling at home with the following remedies according to Buoy Health:
- Warm water and a scrub: To soften the skin so you can remove it with a gentle scrub, soak the afflicted region in warm water for up to 20 minutes.
- Applying lotion to the affected regions repeatedly can help to reduce the symptoms of foot peeling.
- Maintaining good foot hygiene will help to stave off fungus. To maintain general foot health, wear clean socks, well-ventilated shoes, and protect the feet in public spaces like swimming pools.
- Several lotions or powders are available over-the-counter to treat athlete’s foot and lessen peeling.
When to see a doctor
Contact your doctor if you experience any of the following.
- Severe pain associated with peeling
- Peeling that does not subside for two to four weeks
- Fever
- Concerns regarding the cause of the peeling
Medical treatments
Oral antifungal medications or antibiotics may be necessary for more significant causes of foot peeling. Prescribed foot creams are also available.
