Why Are My Feet Peeling?

Have you ever looked down and wondered, why are my feet peeling? Then this read is for you. Because your feet face so many stressors, there are several factors that could make their skin start to shed. Below, we review the main causes of peeling feet and offer treatment options to help restore the health of your foot skin.

It Could Be Foot Fungus

An athlete’s foot infection could be the reason why your feet peel, especially if the skin is coming off between your toes.  Aside from peeling skin, other symptoms of athlete’s foot include a scaly rash, a burning or stinging feeling, blistering and dryness.

To prevent this fungal infection, keep your feet covered in shared places like communal showers or pool decks. You can also protect yourself by carefully drying your feet after washing or when they get sweaty, since fungus thrives in warm, moist environments. And if you develop an athlete’s foot infection, our podiatrist in Westfield, IN can prescribe medication to clear up the fungus quickly.

Dried Out Skin

When the skin on your feet lacks moisture, it becomes dry and itchy and it may start peeling. To treat your dry skin, apply moisturizer daily. For very dry feet, a thicker cream containing urea can help stop the peeling. Just be sure to dry the skin between your toes after moisturizing, or you may run into trouble with athlete’s foot again.

Maybe Psoriasis

If your feet are peeling and you also have red raised, patches, it could be psoriasis. This is an autoimmune condition that we can’t cure. Still, when you’re having a psoriasis flare, we can help manage your discomfort with topical steroid creams, regular moisturizing, phototherapy and/or salicylic acid. If flares are frequent and disrupt your daily life, your doctor may also prescribe immunosuppressant medications.  

Help for Peeling Feet

In most cases, peeling feet are no cause for concern. In fact, you can usually clear up the problem with over-the-counter products. Still, if you have diabetes, or if your symptoms don’t improve within a few days of at-home care, schedule an appointment with our office right away. That way, we can diagnose the underlying cause of why your feet are peeling. Then, we’ll target your treatment program and get your feet looking and feeling their best as soon as possible!