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. Still experiencing peeling? 1. Peeling feet can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, but it's not necessarily a serious medical problem. If youve ever had a pedicure, you know how relaxing and refreshing they can feel. I've had this for about a year but it never bothered me until now. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Keep feet dry. Katlein Franca, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical professor at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. You can also help prevent itching by following a few basic principles. Heart failure: Could a low sodium diet sometimes do more harm than good? Chilblains. A doctor may prescribe medications to manage chronic conditions, such as psoriasis, which may improve peeling feet. this is getting to be a problem. Athletes foot. Pruthi warns that "anything you're doing barefoot, or if you're sharing mats, or if you're doing hot yoga in a moist environment" can lead to this bacterial or fungal infection. But while you might be good at remembering to lather sunscreen onto your face, back, and shoulders, Pruthi notices that "the feet always get the short end of the stick." 2. Its really embarrassing shaking someones hand and I need help but have no health insurance. Here are a few things that you can try to reduce foot sweat and odor. Hot water exposure on the feet- The heat from the water can . Can Menopause Cause a Rash and Itchy Skin? Many medications have side effects that can impact the skin. "Don't wear shoes for too long, wear natural materials that kind of mold to your feet, and as soon as you start to feel friction, change your shoes. Heres a look at some of the most common causes of peeling feet, the most effective treatment options, and other symptoms to look out for. Results of cancer therapy. I googled, which of course is a terrible idea. Rachael is a freelance healthcare writer and critical care nurse based near Cleveland, Ohio. This is because pedicures remove dead skin cells and help to improve circulation. Peeling fingertips after nail polish remover, 11 Tips To Beautify Your Brittle Hair And Nails When You Have Hypothyroidism, Smooth Operator: Why We Need Smoothies And How To Make Them. This is because hot water pulls moisture and oils from your skin. Read our. The skin may peel all over or only in certain areas. There are several reasons why your feet may peel, including: having dry skin on your feet. For more details, see our Privacy Policy. Put a filtered shower head or similar on. Warm Water. Keep reading to learn why your feet peel and what might cause this problem to worsen. Showing pink skin underneath ? Long hot showers can aggravate the following skin conditions: Damaged skin is more prone to infection and irritation, so if you see signs of a possible skin condition, don't ignore it and contact your healthcare provider. Low levels of vitamin B . Skin peeling on fingertips: painless, not itchy, no redness/swelling, no pus. Treatment for hyperhidrosis on the feet includes: Most of the common causes of foot peeling arent serious conditions, and the peeling can be treated. "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. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Dry skin is usually rough, scaly, and itchy. Peeling them down to the surface of the skin may cause bleeding or pain. Non liquid blistering on finger tips and big toes making them to peel, ITCHY HAND FINGERS BUBBLES SKIN PEELING OFF, Finger Tip Numbness Followed By Flaky, Peeling Skin. If shoes are too tight, they can cause the toes to curl under, making it difficult for the toes to grip the nails. "Most foot peels use different types of acids to cause sloughing off of the top layers of skin," she explains. Daughters Feet Are Peeling. Overall, there are multiple reasons why your skin can peel after your shower. Avoiding walking barefoot, especially on rough surfaces, Wearing shoes or flip-flops in public pools or shower areas, Drinking enough water to keep your skin hydrated. Nair PA, Patel T. Palmoplantar exfoliation due to chloroquine. Bacterial infections are the most common. Your healthcare provider may be able to diagnose the source of your peeling skin with a visual examination alone. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Peeling feet may look dry and scaly. Dual effects of alpha-hydroxy acids on the skin. Your feet may peel due to a skin condition, such as eczema, or fungal infection. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Wash them every day with soap and water, and dry them thoroughly. Foot injuries, dry skin, and athletes foot, among other conditions, can all cause peeling skin on the feet. If it becomes severe, however, they should consider seeking advice from a doctor. If you don't dry your feet after a shower, you leave the skin on your feet exposed to moisture and bacteria. Overactivity in the sympathetic nerves that control your fight-or-flight response is a genetic condition that causes hyperhidrosis. Possible causes of burning feet: Alcohol use disorder Athlete's foot Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease Chemotherapy Chronic kidney disease This article will examine the causes of peeling feet. September 2010. Cruddas L, et al. Aging causes our skin to become drier and thinner as a result of a reduction in collagen production. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. These alpha-hydroxy acids are often used to exfoliate the skin as a cosmetic treatment. She usually wears these insert things in her shoes for . This condition can be life-threatening and causes large sections of your skin to peel off in sheets. 3. Hydration status- We are referring to the body's level of hydration, which affects the skin, including the feet. Skin can peel off in various directions, especially in the upper body. The skin may look or feel dry, but eczema is not just dry skin. If you have nerve damage, you are more likely to experience complications, such as infections, burns, or cuts, when working on your nails. Sometimes, peeling is the only symptom, but the feet may also itch or develop yellow patches. However, if the peeling doesnt improve, or you have other concerning symptoms, be sure to see your doctor. The patches usually come and go, but psoriasis is a lifelong condition. It may affect your entire body or just one area. That way, we can diagnose the . Eczema is a type of inflammatory skin condition that causes the body to overreact to harmless substances. 06-19-2011, 09:52 PM. But sometimes, after a pedicure, your feet can start peeling. So, be sure to keep your kicks dry and hit them with an anti-fungal spray as well. Another reason why your feet might start peeling after a pedicure is that the nail polish remover can be too harsh. "Odor-causing germs thrive in dark, damp spaces, which makes your socks and shoes ideal environments," Dr. Sutera says. The soles of the feet are commonly affected. In fact, they can actually be beneficial in keeping your feet healthy. You can clean your face and areas prone to odor with a gentle cleanser. Try drinking more water during the day. People can relieve dry skin using exfoliators, moisturizers, and foot soaks. These patches build into plaques that can be itchy and shed easily. Occurs more in people with a low BMI and in women. Read More Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease caused by a malfunction of your immune system. Douse your sneaks with a deodorizing shoe spray (or even Lysol) to kill fungi and bacteria, says Hillary Brenner, DPM, a podiatrist in New York City. What Causes Red Itchy Blotches After A Shower? If your body doesn't have enough water, skin all over will dry. 2017;49(2):205-207. doi:10.4103/ijp.IJP_659_16, Tang SC, Yang JH. Eczema is caused by an abnormal immune system response to an allergen or other trigger. They can prescribe an antifungal medication thats more powerful. Some of the medications that are most often linked to dry or peeling skin include: Some medications, like lactic and glycolic acids, can deliberately be used to peel the skin on your feet. Here are seven reasons why your feet might be peeling. Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the feet. 2018;147(1):117-118. doi:10.4103/0971-5916.232013. Derms sometimes recommend that these are applied to the skin, covered by socks, and left on overnight. If you meant when d. Finally, if youre using afoot bath during your pedicure, the water can be too hot. 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. It eventually dries and ends up feeling like callouses. You may have irritant contact dermatitis. Read our, How to Keep Your Skin Hydrated (and Why Its Important). I've had this for about a year but it never bothered me until now. The arteries (blood vessels) that carry blood to your fingers, toes, ears, or nose tighten. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Our feet carry us everywhere, are stuffed into shoes, and trek over many types of surfaces. Use moisturizer after your shower and stay hydrated throughout the day to keep your skin moisturized. Some people mistake this type of eczema for other kinds of blisters, as they look similar. "A lot of times it just presents itself as peeling skin and patients don't have the itchiness, so they don't know it's a fungal infection," Pruthi says. 2018;23(4):863. doi:10.3390/molecules23040863. Soaking your feet in warm water might help get rid of the peeling skin, as it can help loosen the dead and damaged skin, making it easier to scrub away. Sunburn is one of the most common causes of internal humidity (also known as low humidity) in homes. It is a common skin condition in which there is focal peeling of the palms and less often the soles. Although its more common on the arms, elbows, back of the knees, and scalp, it can also develop on your feet. These problems can lead to more serious infections and foot damage. If the pedicurist uses too much pressure or uses a rough scrub, it can damage your skin and cause it to peel. Here are seven reasons why your feet might be peeling. Soak your feet. Inflammation in feet; 4 Causes of Peeling Feet. For starters, constantly having wet feet can cause the skin on your feet to become dry and cracked, which can lead to irritation, itchiness, and potential infection. "Anything that causes friction can cause blisters, which can also result in scaling or peeling of the skin," Pruthi says. Dry skin The foot is one of the parts of the body that is most prone to developing dry skin. Some environmental causes of peeling hands include the sun, dry air, cold weather, and excessive hand-washing. Moisturizing your feet with fragrance free creams, such as Amlactin and Cerave per Tauber, on the reg can also help. Many Australians are thought to keep their feet hidden because their feet have peeling skin that causes them to keep them hidden from view. Footpaths believe that removing the surface skin from the feet and exposing the underlying nails to moisture and bacteria in the pedicure will make the problem worse. Dryness may be one of the most common explanations for peeling feet. American Chemical Society. The feet may itch or look dry, and the skin may sometimes peel. Psoriasis is a chronic disease that causes raised, red patches with silvery scales. (2016). They sluffed off completely to reveal healthy, pink skin underneath. The decrease in blood flow causes a lack of oxygen and changes in skin color. Flip flops are also a culprit of foot discomfort and peeling. Do not stop any regular medications without talking to your healthcare provider first. They can happen anywhere on your body. Most causes aren't that serious and can usually be treated with good foot care and moisturizers. Some culprits include: 1. A person may also have eczema patches on other parts of the body. Foot injuries, dry skin, and athlete's foot, among other conditions, can all cause peeling skin on the feet. Acral peeling skin syndrome. Peeling feet may look dry and. 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, 7 Ways to Remove Dead Skin from Your Feet, How to Get Rid of Smelly Feet (Bromodosis), The Smart Girls Guide to Healthy, Happy Feet, Overview of Purpuric Rash, a Symptom of Some Conditions, How to Get Rid of Dark Circles Permanently, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT. Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that can cause swelling and itching. Mayo Clinic Staff. As you shed large areas of skin, your body loses moisture and fluids that may lead to dangerous dehydration and infection. Dual effects of alpha-hydroxy acids on the skin. Fungal infections The most common reason patients have peeling feet is a fungal infection (like athlete's foot)although they. Keep feet clean, dry and cool. While this peeling is usually painless, it's often continuous. Step 1: Soak. Sensitivity to Certain Soaps Sometimes the answer is as simple as changing to another brand of soap or body wash. One reason is that the pedicure itself can be a little too harsh for your skin. After sun exposure, the damaged skin cells rise to the surface of the stratum corneum (the outer layer of skin). How can you tell if you have oily or dry skin? What Can Cause Severely Dry, Cracked And Swollen Fingers? Or, also ACRAL PEELING SKIN SYNDROME. Toxic epidermal necrolysis is a skin condition often caused by antibiotics and seizure medications. This can lead to inflammation in healthy skin. Wet feet can result in: Maceration, or pruning, which results from the outer layer of skin absorbing moisture. Nerve damage has many different causes, including diabetes, chronic alcohol use, exposure to certain toxins, certain B vitamin deficiencies or HIV infection. If you want to get notified by every reply to your post, please register. It is common for toenails to be infected with an ingrown nail. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. This peeling is most noticeable on the hands and feet. If your childs skin is peeling, it could be a sign of juvenile plantar dermatosis. Dry skin is probably the most common cause of peeling skin in children. "Eczema is a skin condition that manifests through scaling of the skin," says Pruthi. Feet Eczema: Treatment, Triggers, and Lifestyle Changes, 6 Reasons Why You Might Itch After Taking a Shower, Causes of Dry Patches on Your Face and How to Treat Them. 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. You may also notice white or dry patches, flushing, itching, and pain, especially if you're dehydrated, stressed, spending too much time in the sun, or in the habit of smoking or taking hot showers. Foot peeling isn't always serious and can often be managed with good foot hygiene and moisturizer. Over-the-counter medications can sometimes help you treat foot peeling. Excess perspiration and moist environments often cause these foot infections, which lead to peeling. Its characterised by redness with a bluish tinge in the hands, feet and sometimes the nose and ears. In most cases, using OTC medications can help treat the peeling on your feet. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. It is unbelievable how uncomfortable it is and it just goes away as suddenly as it comes. But you should see a doctor if you have: There are many reasons why your feet can peel. Genetics likely plays a role as well. Many women, including Pruthi, love to wear strappy shoes in the summer. inflamed, itchy palms and peeling finger tips! Your email address will not be published. Hot water exposure on the feet- The heat from the water can damage the skin cells and cause a loss of foot hydration. Technically, you can use our foot peels as many times as you want, as long as you purchase a new treatment. Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Peeling Feet? Here's how to ID the cause and gain control of the odor to help freshen up your feet. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. If you have athletes foot, an over-the-counter antifungal medication may be able to help. Though it can be uncomfortable, the itch that can develop after showering is completely normal. They are usually not painful but can be tender to touch. If one of your medications is causing peeling skin, talk to your healthcare provider about alternatives. This is often triggered by cold or emotional stress. Some medical, Scaling skin occurs when the outer skin is damaged, either by injury or a medical condition. Read up on these conditions as there is a lot of info on the internet that may interest you. But as anyone who hasn't properly broken in her new heels knows, snug footwear can cause some serious friction. If your foot odor is noticeable, you can try soaking your feet . Dyshydrotic eczema affects the hands and feet the most in people with eczema. It is also known as keratolysis exfoliativa, and focal palmar peeling. Nobody goes to the beach with the intentions of getting a beet-red, painful-to-touch sunburn. Peeling Skin On Your Feet: What's Causing This? its like the water lifts the top layer of my skin and kills it. If that doesnt work, see your doctor. Sometimes peeling feet may be a sign of an underlying condition. How to Avoid Sore Muscles after a Workout - and What to Do When Muscle Pain Occurs? Why Is My Skin So Dry Even When I Moisturize? Some reasons why you may feel itchy after a shower include: You shower often, use very hot water, and linger in the shower You have an allergic reaction to your soap or other cleansing products You have an allergic reaction to residue from laundry products You have an allergic reaction to moisturizer or other after-shower products Corns and calluses are not dangerous, but they can be uncomfortable. "Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, which means that your immune system gets . The cold water method works well when the cause of the peeling feet is sunburn as it can relieve some the associated symptoms as well. One reason is that the pedicure itself can be a little too harsh for your skin. "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.". This occurrence can lead to retention of the sweat especially in the soles of the feet and also on the palms of the hand, where the skin is much thicker than elsewhere. Dry skin. This can cause your skin to become dry and irritated, which can lead to peeling. You've probably been spending a lot of time recently curled up barefoot on the couch. Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes the body to attack healthy tissue. Don't, per Jennifer Tauber, DPM, a podiatrist in New Canaan, Connecticut. wear and tear from physical activity. 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. Some of the most common causes include athletes foot, dry skin, eczema, psoriasis, and hyperhidrosis. glitterary 9 yr. ago Basically, my feet (more around the balls of my feet) will itch and burn for about 5 - 10 minutes after a shower. If your feet start peeling after a pedicure, dont panic. Overgrowth of skin cells can cause red, itchy patches on your feet as a result of psoriasis. Niacin deficiency or vitamin A toxicity. Eczema patches might be red, or might be darker in color than your normal skin tone, especially for those with olive tones or more deeply pigmented skin, Dr. Katta. In addition to Women's Health, she has contributed health, fitness and wellness content to Runner's World, SELF, Prevention, Healthline, and POPSUGAR, among other publications. Athletes foot is a highly contagious fungal infection that may cause yellow or white patches on the feet, toes, or areas under the nails. Learn more about the symptoms and treatment, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations.