Why Are My Feet Peeling? Causes and Home Remedies

Peeling on your feet usually happens when your skin is dry. Although it may be uncomfortable, you can easily manage it with creams, home remedies, and medications. While dry skin is a common reason for peeling feet, skin conditions such as eczema, hyperhidrosis, blisters, and athlete’s foot can all contribute to foot peeling.

This article explains what feet peeling is, what may be causing it, and what treatments or home remedies can manage it.

Peeling on your feet may simply look like skin shedding off them. It may feel uncomfortable or even painful, particularly if very new skin is exposed underneath.

There are several reasons why your feet may peel, including:

• having dry skin on your feet
• skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis
• wear and tear from physical activity
• wear and tear from wearing certain shoes

Many scenarios that cause skin peeling on your feet are treatable.

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If the skin on your feet is peeling, it could be due to several different conditions.

Common causes of feet peeling include:

• athlete’s foot
• hyperhidrosis
• eczema
• certain medications

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that usually results from walking barefoot in places such as public baths or showers, swimming pools, and locker rooms.

The fungus that causes athlete’s foot is known as ringworm. This fungus likes to inhabit warm and wet locations and live on objects for extended periods of time. It may cause peeling on your feet.

If you have athlete’s foot, your dermatologist may recommend an antifungal cream.

If you have a mild case, it may resolve within 2 weeks with the daily application of an over-the-counter cream. For serious cases, your dermatologist may prescribe a stronger cream.

You can help prevent athlete’s foot by:

• keeping your feet dry and clean
• keeping your toenails clipped short
• protecting your feet when using public swimming pools or showers

Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that can cause dry, itchy skin, infections, scaly patches, and blisters.

Eczema is a complex condition. Currently, we don’t know an exact cause other than your body or immune system reacting to certain environmental triggers.

There are seven types of eczema, and some may cause your skin or feet to peel.

Treatments for eczema may include:

• over-the-counter topical or oral medications
• antihistamines and pain medications
• topical hydrocortisone
• medicated shampoos
• light therapy

You can sometimes prevent eczema flares by being aware of any allergies and reducing your exposure to them. Some ways to prevent eczema flares include:

• implementing a bathing and moisturizing routine
• using medication consistently
• watching closely for signs of skin infections
• dressing in soft, floaty fabrics and avoiding clothes that itch the skin, such as wool
• avoiding fabric detergents with allergens
• learning to cope with stressful situations to avoid flare-ups due to stress

Visit our hub to learn more about eczema.

Some medical conditions and medications may cause dry skin that leads to feet peeling.

Conditions include:

• diabetes
• thyroid disease
• kidney disease
• eating disorders, which can limit the number of nutrients you get from food

Medications include:

• statins, which are often prescribed to help lower cholesterol
• diuretics, which help rid your body of water and sodium
• treatments for cancer, such as radiation therapy

Reach out to your doctor about your feet peeling to ensure it’s not being caused by an underlying medical condition or medication you may be taking.

Hyperhidrosis is a condition in which you sweat excessively, even without physical activity or heat. Consistently wet skin from sweating may result in your feet peeling, particularly the bottoms of your feet.

As hyperhidrosis can sometimes result from an underlying medical condition such as diabetes or gout, your doctor will initially evaluate you for those and treat them first.

Other treatments may include:

• botulinum toxin injections to help stop excessive sweating
• prescription medications that temporarily stop sweat glands from working
• surgically removing sweat glands

Other reasons that your feet may be peeling include:

• exposing your feet regularly to moisture, especially if you work as a fisherman, lifeguard, or swimming instructor
• not getting enough nutrients in your diet
• smoking cigarettes, which can expose you to chemicals that age and dry your skin faster
• getting blisters from wear and tear on your feet due to the movement of shoes

You should contact your doctor if you experience any signs of eczema, athlete’s foot, or hyperhidrosis. They may be able to provide you with an individualized treatment plan that addresses your medical concerns.

Your doctor may recommend different creams and medications to help treat the skin peeling on your feet. You may be able to treat mild cases with home remedies and over-the-counter products.

Your doctor may recommend the following creams and medications to address foot peeling:

• corticosteroid creams
• anticholinergic medication to minimize sweating
• barrier creams to reduce chafing
• antifungal creams

You should check with your doctor before starting a new medication, even one that’s over the counter.

You may want to try the following home remedies to reduce the peeling skin on your feet:

• apply fragrance-free moisturizer after bathing
• apply a bandage on any blisters
• wear sunscreen, even on your feet if they will be bare
• avoid hot tubs
• avoid spending too much time in hot baths

If these remedies don’t heal your peeling feet, you should schedule an appointment with your dermatologist.

You can try to prevent your feet from peeling by:

• moisturizing your skin
• keeping your feet dry and clean
• bathing in lukewarm water
• washing clothes in hypoallergenic detergents
• wearing well-fitted shoes

These recommendations can minimize the chafing, dryness, and excessive sweating that can cause peeling skin on your feet. However, you may not always be able to prevent all peeling if it’s due to an underlying condition.

Eczema, hyperhidrosis, and athlete’s foot can all cause your feet to peel. Similarly, underlying medical conditions may also cause foot peeling.

If you notice any persistently dry, cracked skin, you should make an appointment with your dermatologist. They may recommend medications, creams, antiperspirants, or moisturizers to heal the skin peeling on your feet.

You can help prevent your feet from peeling by keeping your feet clean and dry and wearing bandages over blisters. Peeling feet are treatable and sometimes even preventable.