Feet are the one part of your skin that never gets the love they deserve. With all the dirt and sweat, why wouldn't they need skincare too? That feeling of sandpaper when you rub your feet down at the end of the day - it's not pleasant, to say the least, and you're wondering if there's something you should be worried about.
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Also, while they're peeling now, doesn't that mean they'll be irritatingly rough anytime your bare feet touch an object or God forbid newly washed cotton sheets?
Whether it's because of a demanding week at work or spending hours on end in front of the TV, sometimes even the simplest of tasks can lead to this discomfort.
Athlete's foot
According to Healthline, if you're experiencing dry, cracking skin on the bottom of your feet, it could be due to a fungal infection called athlete's foot. The fungus that causes athlete's foot thrives in warm, moist areas like locker rooms and showers. It first infects the soles of the feet but can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated.
Symptoms include itching (often accompanied by redness), swelling and/or cracking of skin on the bottom of your feet that may crust over or peel off over time. Other symptoms include flaking and scaling as well as blisters filled with pus-like liquid that may ooze out when broken open.
Eczema
Eczema is a type of skin condition and its causes are unclear but experts believe that it's due to a combination of factors including genetic predisposition (or having certain genes), allergies and stressors like infections or food sensitivities. Other triggers include sweating from exercise or hot weather conditions that cause soaps used after showering to irritate sensitive skin causing redness and swelling. Healthline says that its main symptoms include itchy, dry, cracked and peeling skin.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic immune condition which is another possible cause for skin peeling manifesting in raised red patches with silvery scales that may hurt or itch, but with usually no other physical symptoms according to Healthline. They can happen anywhere on your body with the soles of the feet being the most commonly affected.
Your feet may peel for a variety of reasons. Athlete's foot, eczema, and psoriasis are only a few of the most typical reasons. If you're unsure, consult your doctor, who can determine the root of the problem and provide the best course of foot care.
Sources used:
Healthline: What Could Be Causing Your Feet to Peel?
