What Causes Skin to Peel on the Bottom of Feet?
Noticing skin peeling from the bottoms of your feet can be annoying or even painful. This common problem has several potential causes, ranging from dry skin to more serious medical conditions.
Some of the most frequent reasons the bottom layers of skin shed from your feet include:
- Dryness - Lack of moisture leads to cracked, flaking skin.
- Friction - Excess rubbing against shoes and socks loosens dead skin.
- Fungal infections - Athlete's foot results in peeling between the toes.
- Sunburn - Severe burns can cause sheets of dead skin to shed off feet.
- Psoriasis - This autoimmune condition creates red, flaky patches.
- Eczema - Inflammation and irritation from eczema leads to peeling.
- Medications - Certain drugs like retinoids speed up skin cell turnover.
- Cold weather - Colder temperatures dehydrate the skin.
Finding the underlying cause of peeling feet allows you to practice the proper care and treatments to heal and restore smooth skin.
When to See a Doctor
See your doctor promptly if the peeling skin on your feet is accompanied by:
- Oozing, crusting or discharge
- Bleeding cracks
- Severe stinging or pain
- Itchy blisters
- Discoloration
- Thick calluses
- Foul odor
These symptoms may indicate an underlying bacterial, fungal or viral infection needing medical treatment. Seek immediate care if peeling is accompanied by numbness, tingling, or making it difficult to walk.
10 Home Remedies for Peeling Skin on Feet
Mild cases of peeling skin on the soles of feet can often be remedied with at-home care between pedicures. Try these 10 tips:
1. Soak Feet
Soaking feet in warm water helps soften and hydrate thick, callused skin so it peels away gently without pain or cuts.
2. Exfoliate
Use a foot scrubber or pumice stone to lightly exfoliate dead skin after soaking. Avoid abrasive scrubbing.
3. Moisturize
Massage a rich, hydrating foot cream into clean feet morning and night. Shea butter, coconut oil and ointments help seal in moisture.
4. Petroleum Jelly
Apply petroleum jelly generously over feet and cover with clean socks overnight to deeply moisturize cracked skin.
5. Avoid Irritants
Wear comfortable shoes and socks, avoid harsh soaps, and skip products containing alcohol, retinols, acids, or fragrance.
6. Oil Foot Soak
Add a few drops of lavender, tea tree, or eucalyptus oil to warm foot soak water to moisturize skin and combat odor.
7. Use Humidifier
Run a humidifier at home and work to prevent the air from excessively drying feet and skin.
8. Honey Mask
Apply raw honey to soles of feet and cover with cotton socks for 20 minutes to deeply hydrate and heal cracked skin.
9. Apply Apple Cider Vinegar
Wiping feet with diluted apple cider vinegar helps restore proper pH balance and sheds dead skin cells.
10. Use Urea Cream
Urea creams contain hydrating compounds that penetrate thick, scaly skin on feet.
Medical Treatments for Peeling Skin on Feet
For severe or persistent cases of peeling skin on the soles of feet, your dermatologist may recommend:
Prescription Medicated Cream
Corticosteroids, retinoids, or antimicrobial creams combat underlying skin conditions leading to peeling feet such as eczema or psoriasis.
Oral Medication
Antifungal pills treat stubborn athletes foot fungal infections on the feet causing skin peeling between the toes.
Professional Pedicure
Seeing a skilled pedicurist can remove very thick calluses safely with specialized tools without damaging healthy skin.
Chemical or Laser Treatments
In-office procedures slice away built up calluses and remove dead skin cells from feet through expert exfoliation.
UV Phototherapy
Controlled exposure to UVB rays can reduce inflammation and scaling in chronic skin conditions like psoriasis.
Following your doctors treatment plan is vital for addressing any underlying medical causes of problematic peeling skin on the feet.
Can Peeling Skin on Feet Be a Sign of Diabetes?
Yes, uncontrolled diabetes with consistently high blood sugar levels can sometimes contribute to peeling, cracked skin on the feet. Other related symptoms include:
- Itching or burning
- Dry, waxy skin
- Thick calluses
- Foot ulcers
- Ingrown toenails
- Impaired wound healing
These develop because nerve damage in the feet causes reduced sensation and poor circulation. Skin becomes extremely dry and prone to peeling, but goes unfelt which can lead to complications.
Seeing a podiatrist right away for a diabetic foot exam when skin problems are noticed on the feet is crucial. Keeping diabetes under control is key to preventing related foot issues.
How to Prevent Feet from Peeling
Using proactive foot care habits can help minimize or avoid troublesome peeling skin on feet:
- Moisturize feet daily.
- Exfoliate gently with a foot scrub 1-2 times per week.
- Avoid very hot showers or baths.
- Wear breathable cotton socks.
- Rotate different pairs of well-cushioned shoes.
- Stay hydrated.
- Control blood sugar if diabetic.
- Apply sunscreen to feet in summer.
- Get pedicures professionally done.
- Use humidifier at home.
Catching dry, cracking skin early and keeping feet consistently hydrated and callus-free are the best defenses against peeling.
How to Heal Peeling Skin on Feet Fast
Speed up recovery from peeling soles and heels using these effective home treatments:
Epsom Salt Soak
Magnesium-rich Epsom salt reduces inflammation, softens skin, and draws out toxins when dissolved in warm foot soak water.
Oatmeal Bath
Colloidal oatmeal creates a soothing anti-inflammatory effect on dry, peeling feet when mixed into a warm footbath.
Baking Soda Scrub
Gently scrubbing feet with a paste of baking soda and water sloughs off dead skin without irritation.
Coconut Oil
Apply extra virgin coconut oil to freshly washed feet and cover with socks overnight to deeply moisturize cracked skin.
Petroleum Jelly
Spreading a thick layer of petroleum jelly onto feet seals in moisture. Wear socks afterwards.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Skip products with dyes, fragrances, alcohols, acids, and retinols until skin heals to prevent dryness and stinging.
Consistent hydration paired with gentle exfoliation are key to bouncing back fast from peeling feet.
When to See a Podiatrist for Peeling Feet
Schedule an appointment with a podiatrist or foot doctor if:
- Over-the-counter treatments don't help
- Your feet are excessively painful
- Peeling and cracks bleed frequently
- Thick calluses keep recurring
- Symptoms affect only one foot
- Redness, swelling, odor, or discharge is present
- Wounds and ulcers develop
A podiatrist can properly diagnose any underlying medical issue causing problematic peeling feet. Prescription medications or in-office procedures may be required to get peeling under control and prevent complications.
Can Peeling Skin on Feet Be an Allergic Reaction?
It's possible for shedding skin on the soles of feet to stem from an allergic reaction rather than mere dryness. Signs it may be allergy-related include:
- Occurring in one specific spot consistently
- Appearing suddenly instead of slowly
- Associated with bumps or rash
- Burning or stinging sensation
- Occurring after exposure to new products
Common foot allergy triggers include nickel found in shoe hardware, rubber in sneakers, foot hygiene products, topical antibiotics, and plant oils used in lotions. See an allergist for patch testing to pinpoint the irritant.
A topical steroid cream can relieve allergy-related peeling and itching on the feet while avoiding the problematic allergen.
Is Peeling Skin on Feet Contagious?
Dry, peeling feet themselves are not contagious in most cases. The shedding skin is typically just a harmless byproduct of lack of moisture, friction, or foot conditions like psoriasis or eczema.
However, some contagious viral and fungal infections can cause peeling skin between the toes or on the soles as a symptom. Examples include:
- Athlete's foot (fungal)
- Plantar warts (viral)
- Herpes simplex (viral)
- Ringworm (fungal)
Practicing good foot hygiene like washing feet daily, alternating shoes, avoiding shared damp areas like pool decks, and treating feet with antifungal powder can help prevent transmission of contagious sources of peeling feet.
When to See a Doctor for Peeling Feet
Schedule an appointment with your doctor if self-care strategies dont alleviate bothersome peeling feet after 2 weeks or you notice any of the following:
- Oozing, foul odor, or discharge
- Red streaks extending from the foot
- Severe pain, swelling, or warmth
- Blisters or ulcers
- Discolored nails or skin
- Difficulty walking
- Numbness or tingling in feet
These may be signs of an underlying skin infection or condition needing medical diagnosis and prescription treatment. Prompt foot care can prevent complications like permanent nerve damage or wounds prone to amputation.
Tips for Peeling Skin on Bottom of Feet
Follow these foot care tips to resolve peeling skin on the bottoms of your feet:
- Soak feet to soften skin, then gently exfoliate.
- Use thick, fragrance-free moisturizing creams and ointments.
- Avoid harsh soaps, exfoliants, and irritating foot products.
- Wear breathable cotton socks and comfortable shoes.
- See a dermatologist or podiatrist for stubborn cases.
- Dont pick at peeling skin.
- Keep feet protected with sunscreen in summer.
Consistent hydration and moisturizing is key to repairing cracked, peeling feet long-term. Seek medical help if home care isnt working or any signs of infection arise.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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