Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes the body to attack healthy tissue. "With this subtype of psoriasis, the affected patches of skin can get thick and raised and sometimes can even be painful," she explains. Eczema is caused by an abnormal immune system response to an allergen or other trigger. Dead or loose skin forming on the feet is your foot's way of naturally exfoliating and shedding dead skin cells. So, be sure to keep your kicks dry and hit them with an anti-fungal spray as well. As you shed large areas of skin, your body loses moisture and fluids that may lead to dangerous dehydration and infection. Healthcare providers usually recommend starting with conservative options and moving to other treatments as needed. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your feet may peel due to lifestyle habits or certain exposures. Your feet are fairly complex, and so are the reasons for why the bottom of your foot hurts. Those with AD often have allergies to milk, nuts, and shellfish. Medical Mycology. They'll look for areas of pain or tenderness. AD cannot be cured, but can be controlled through prescribed medications, skin care, stress management, and treatment of food allergies. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have other symptoms in addition to foot peeling, are in pain, or have difficulty walking. Similarly, if you think you may be dependent on alcohol, consult with your healthcare provider. Johns Hopkins Medicine. J Pain Res. A person can get athletes foot from warm, moist environments. In addition to toes and feet turning purple, you may have pain in your feet and lower legs when . So much so that it's the first line of treatment that both Brenner and Tauber recommend for scaly skin in this case. If the bottom of your feet hurt, you do not have to put up with it - take action! Your provider inserts a small needle through your skin and into your muscle. If it's a minor fungal infection like athlete's foot, then an OTC anti-fungal spray or cream might get the job done, according to Tauber. (2019). 2018 Apr;210(4):821-833. doi:10.2214/AJR.17.18460, Lehmann H, Wunderlich G, Fink G, Sommer C. Diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy. To help with healing, a person can consider: Sunburn can occur on the bottom of the feet if someone lies on their front in the sun, particularly if they forget to apply sunscreen to the soles. Ramachandra P, Kumar P, Kamath A, et al. Females are more likely than males to have a neuroma. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Top Symptoms: foot redness, foot/toe itch, foot skin changes, spontaneous foot pain, peeling between the toes, Symptoms that always occur with athlete's foot (tinea pedis): foot redness, Symptoms that never occur with athlete's foot (tinea pedis): toe injury. Mange is commonly seen in animals, but humans can develop this skin condition as well. And while the peeling may be annoying and could make you feel self-conscious, especially if youre wearing sandals or flip-flops, its usually treatable. Some other conditions and medications can also cause your feet to peel faster than usual. Surgery for plantar fasciitis is uncommon, but it may be necessary if your pain persists despite six to 12 months of physical therapy. If you have never been tested for diabetes, your provider will check your glucose (blood sugar) level with a blood test. The patches usually come and go, but psoriasis is a lifelong condition. A study suggests that 80% of people experience metatarsalgia at some point. "Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, which means that your immune system gets . Sometimes, peeling is the only symptom, but the feet may also itch or develop yellow patches. Any part of your body can become dry, but the humidity from being trapped in shoes and the strain of your daily step count can make this problem more pronounced on your feet. She writes about accessibility, folk medicine, and technology. Peeling them down to the surface of the skin may cause bleeding or pain. There are several reasons why your feet may peel, including: having dry skin on your feet. Dermatitis itself is not contagious but can interfere with quality of life. Also known as athlete's foot, this common medical condition is caused by a contagious fungal infection commonly affecting the skin in between the toes and bottom of the foot as a result of extremely sweaty feet. Therefore, if the skin on the feet peels without itchiness, it could still be due to this fungal infection. Sesamoid stress fractures are caused by overusing the tendons around the sesamoid bones. (n.d.). A doctor may prescribe topical ointments or oral medications. You may be experiencing a skin-related issue like dermatitis or eczema, an allergic reaction from a certain food or plant, or you may be having a symptom of anxiety or depression. Your healthcare provider may refer you to a physical therapist if your foot pain interferes with your daily life, activities, or mobility. It's most common between the second and third toes, or the third and fourth ones. Anyone can develop GBS, but it is more common in males and adults older than 50. diabetes. It can be done in an outpatient setting. Whether your foot pain is near the toes or at the heel, the pain may affect you with every footfall. These change how your nervous system functions. Conditions that cause similar symptoms to metatarsalgia include Morton's neuroma, intermetatarsal bursitis, or stress fractures in the metatarsals. Mechanics, beauticians, housekeepers, restaurant workers, and health care providers are all susceptible. Seattle Childrens Hospital. The most common form in the United States is acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP). Tinea pedis is another name for athletes foot. Based on their assessment, they may point you to a podiatrist (foot specialist) or orthopedist (bone specialist). Bottom of feet peeling but not itchy: 5 potential causes What causes the bottom of the feet to peel without itching? With Guillain-Barr syndrome, your provider will likely consider the possibility of other conditions that can affect your peripheral nerves. Top Symptoms: foot redness, foot/toe itch, scabbed area of the foot, Symptoms that always occur with allergic contact dermatitis of the foot: foot redness. With proper diagnosis and treatment, your athletes foot should go away in one to eight weeks. Plantar fasciitis: Should I have surgery for heel pain? If one of your medications is causing peeling skin, talk to your healthcare provider about alternatives. Some remedies to try include: Peeling feet may be uncomfortable. SuperAger and Alzheimer's brains share similar pathologies, so what sets SuperAgers apart? Cigarette smoking and inflammation: cellular and molecular mechanisms, Stress fractures of the foot and ankle in athletes, Foot exercise plus education versus wait and see for the treatment of plantar heel pain (FEET trial): a protocol for a feasibility study, Foot pain and mobility limitations in older adults: the Framingham Foot Study, Foot pain and pronated foot type are associated with self-reported mobility limitations in older adults: The Framingham foot study, Associations of foot posture and function to lower extremity pain: results from a population-based foot study, Walking, running, or standing a lot on hard surfaces, Having pronated feet, meaning that your feet roll a bit inward with each step, Having especially long bones in your feet, Playing high-impact sports that involve running or jumping, Frequently wearing high heels or shoes that don't fit right, Frequently wearing tight shoes or restrictive footwear, such as the shoes worn in ballet or for rock climbing, Playing a sport that puts a lot of pressure on the ball of the foot, like running, ballet, or tennis, Having diabetes, arthritis, or another disease that causes swelling and nerve compression, Existing chronic foot pain that gets worse, Pain that makes it uncomfortable and difficult to walk or do other activities, Dizziness or nausea related to foot pain (which could indicate a bone fracture), Diabetes or another condition that affects your nerves, You are unable to put any weight on your foot or walk, You feel burning or tingling in your feet after being exposed to toxins, You had a flu or other infection in the days or weeks before your pain began, which could indicate Guillain-Barr syndrome, You have an open wound, or your wound has signs of infection, such as pus, redness, or red streaks leading from it, Electro-acupuncture (especially for plantar fasciitis), Wear orthopedic inserts or supportive shoes, Carefully walk and stretch after an injury, Avoid excessive running, jumping, or high-impact activities, Avoid foods that trigger inflammation, such as sugar and highly processed foods, Work on having great posture if you don't already, Listen to your body and take pressure off your foot when you need it. Lack of exercise can also contribute to dormant butt syndrome. It could also be tarsal tunnel syndrome. Put on your socks before your underwear to prevent the fungus from spreading to your groin. Apply talcum powder or antifungal powder to your feet to absorb moisture. A person may have dry and peeling skin, athletes foot, blisters, or peeling due to hyperhidrosis, which causes excessive sweating. Morton's neuroma treatment. J Foot Ankle Res. Older children will have the rash in the creases of elbows, knees, and buttocks. It can cause peeling, itching, and dryness all over the bodyincluding the soles of your feet. Emilia Benton is a Houston-based freelance writer and editor. Lee J, Taneja V, Vassallo R. Cigarette smoking and inflammation: cellular and molecular mechanisms. If you smoke cigarettes, do all you can to quit. Johns Hopkins Medicine. "Eczema is a skin condition that manifests through scaling of the skin," says Pruthi. This causes skin cells to turn over much faster than usual. Anyone who works with an irritating substance can contract the condition. This can lead to inflammation in healthy skin. American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. 5 most common causes Athlete's Foot Sunburn Hypothyroidism Eczema Contact Dermatitis Foot peeling quiz Risk factors include a family or personal history of allergies, asthma, or other condition which weakens the immune system; or constant contact with metals, plant life, or chemicals. The content available on buoy.com is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Flare-ups are more common: Treatment for psoriasis typically includes: Hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes excessive sweating. Available from: InformedHealth.org [Internet]. The main symptoms of athletes foot include: You can get athletes foot by coming into contact with the fungus that causes it. American Chemical Society. In addition to Runner's World, she has contributed health, fitness and wellness content to Women's Health, SELF, Prevention, Healthline, and the Houston Chronicle, among other publications. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? Investigating the power of music for dementia. Elizabeth Bacharach is the Assistant Editor at Womens Health where she writes and edits content about mental and physical health, food and nutrition, sexual health, and lifestyle trends across WomensHealthMag.com and the print magazine. If your feet are often sweaty, it may cause irritation, redness, and peeling of the skin. However, if the condition persists or worsens, a person should consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. It spreads in areas used by large groups of people, like locker rooms, swimming pools and saunas. Blisters often appear on the bottoms of your feet, but they may develop anywhere on your feet. You may be more likely to develop athletes foot if you have: Athletes foot is common. Athletes foot can spread across the bottom of your foot. Tinea is another name for ringworm, and pedis means foot or feet. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Comfy as you may be, you may now notice that your feet have taken quite the beating, with the skin on the bottom looking rough, cracked, and maybe even peeling. Common causes Athlete's foot Dry skin Eczema Psoriasis Hyperhidrosis When to get. Common sources include showers, locker rooms, and shared towels, socks, or shoes. Then Tauber recommends recommends consulting a doc who might prescribe an Rx-strength cream and/or instruct you to start using a foot soak for 20 minutes a few times each week to help moisturize the affected skin even more. Derms sometimes recommend that these are applied to the skin, covered by socks, and left on overnight. However, antifungal medications or home remedies will help you get rid of athletes foot. Athlete's foot is usually itchy and can cause redness, but it might also lead to scaly or cracked skin. There are several types, but atopic dermatitis is the most common. Learn more. In: Riedel S, Hobden JA, Miller S, Morse SA, et al, eds. Although there can be some eyebrow-raising reasons why your feet are peeling, it's not always a bad thing. Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, nationaleczema.org/eczema/types-of-eczema/atopic-dermatitis/, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9492-diabetes-foot--skin-related-complications, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16940-dry-skinitchy-skin, health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/friction-blisters-a-to-z, aad.org/diseases/a-z/hyperhidrosis-treatment, mayoclinic.org/symptoms/peeling-skin/basics/definition/sym-20050672, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/athletes-foot/symptoms-causes/syc-20353841, How to Get Rid of Smelly Feet (Bromodosis), The Smart Girls Guide to Healthy, Happy Feet, What Causes a Melasma Mustache and How to Treat It, wearing shoes or flip-flops in public places, such as locker rooms and pools, not wearing the same pair of shoes every day, not sharing shoes, socks, or towels with others, applying an OTC hydrocortisone cream to the affected skin, increasing the moisture in the air with a, bathing in water thats lukewarm, not hot, a red, itchy rash, which is the most common symptom, topical corticosteroids to reduce the scaly patches, immunosuppressants or biologics, if the condition is severe or other treatments dont work, prescription-strength aluminum chloride solution, which acts as a strong antiperspirant that can be applied to sweaty areas, a rash or peeling that doesnt improve with OTC or other self-care measures, severe peeling, especially without a known cause, a blister with significant redness and oozing. Eczema can occur anywhere on your body. obesity. You can get athletes foot by sharing towels, socks or shoes with someone who has athletes foot. 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, Important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event. This article explains your foot's anatomy and common causes of pain. Some conditions, like toxic epidermal necrosis, are specifically caused by medications, while other drugs can more subtly affect the skin. Foot peeling isn't always serious and can often be managed with good foot hygiene and moisturizer. The more significant your pain is, the more you might think that lifestyle won't have much of an effect. Clinical factors associated with Guillain-Barr syndrome following surgery. Dead skin can build up because of a lack of. For example, scratching one's arm causes it to turn red (which is caused by mast cells releasing chemicals into the local area), but that's completely normal. Last medically reviewed on January 7, 2021, Dry, scaly, or cracked skin on the feet is common. Acral peeling is a painless skin disorder that causes peeling. Athletes foot is most common between your toes, but it can also affect the tops of your feet, the soles of your feet and your heels. Calluses tend to appear on the bottom of the feet and feel hard. Your feet may peel due to underlying conditions such as the following. Athlete's foot is most common between your toes, but it can also affect the tops of your feet, the soles of your feet and your heels. Ledet JJ, Elewski BE, Gupta AK. Here are seven reasons why your feet might be peeling. Resolving an alcohol dependence can reduce your risk of peripheral neuropathy along with many other health conditions. "What I find that happens is that the skin infects the nails, the nails re-infect the skin, back and forth, back and forth," she says. Updated July 6, 2016. leather. The seasons can also play a role in roughing up your feet, with summer typically leading to peeling and blistering and winter to dryness, cracked heels, and, (again) peeling. "You can apply moleskin or blister patchesboth of which are sold at drugstoresto the areas where you think you may have rubbing or irritation," Tauber explains. Factors that increase your chances of developing sesamoiditis include: Though less common, additional causes of foot pain must also be considered. The patches caused by psoriasis are an overgrowth of skin cells. Athletes foot causes an itchy, stinging, burning rash on the skin on one or both of your feet. Fever Can Cause Skin Peeling A high fever that causes sweating can lead to skin peeling on the bottom of the feet, according to Net Doctor. Many people find that improving their posture evens out the stress on their feet and improves their pain. These products contain clotrimazole, miconazole, tolnaftate or terbinafine. This can happen if the skin is frequently wet. Athlete's foot: Overview. Athletes foot is contagious. It will also look at some potential treatments and when a person should contact a doctor. An MRI or ultrasound can help your provider rule out these other conditions. Nickel, a metal often used in belt buckles, the buttons on pants, and jewelry, including piercing jewelry. "While a mild acid in someone who does not have sensitive skin might work fine, a stronger concentration of acid, or use of a foot peel on sensitive skin, might cause side effects such as redness, pain, and skin damage in the form of inflammation and cracks in the skin.". Skin peeling on the bottom of the feet can most commonly be caused by a fungal infection called athlete's foot, sunburn, dermatitis, or dry skin. Other causes include injury to your peripheral nerves, such as a gunshot wound, an electrical injury, or a drug injection injury. For many people, the first sign of GBS is pain, weakness, or tingling in their toes, feet, or legs. Protect them from vital moisture loss by wearing aloe vera-infused socks, or by massaging oils into feet before you put on evening slippers. 2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK. A healthcare provider may diagnose and treat your foot pain, or refer you to a foot and ankle specialist. Read below for more information on causes and how to treat peeling feet. stopping the activity that caused the blister, covering it softly with a band-aid or bandage, avoiding popping or draining it, as this may cause infection, red skin in people with lighter skin tones, prescription-strength aluminum chloride antiperspirant, iontophoresis, which involves passing a low-voltage electrical current through water and into the bottom of the feet, using exfoliants, such as salt scrubs, to gently remove dead skin, applying moisturizer after the feet get wet, keeping the feet cool and dry, for example, by wearing open-toed shoes, where possible, using antifungal powders or sprays inside the shoes after each use, wearing flip-flops or shower shoes in public showers and changing rooms. University of Michigan Health. Don't allow too much of that to dig into your skin." As many as 40% of Guillain-Barr syndrome cases are triggered by a bacteria called Campylobacterjejuni, which causes diarrhea. It can occur anywhere on the body but typically affects the elbows, knees, and bottoms of the feet. Treatment for foot pain depends on your diagnosis. In this article, we look at the symptoms and treatment, Acral peeling skin syndrome is a rare genetic condition that causes the top layer of the skin to peel. There are various reasons why the bottom of the feet can peel but not feel itchy. Gout. wear and tear from physical activity.