What causes peeling skin on the feet?
Apr 20, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wan
Introduction
Peeling feet may result from inadequate daily foot care or physiological factors such as seasonal changes in autumn and winter. It could also be caused by endocrine disorders, malnutrition, or fungal infections of the feet, leading to skin conditions like eczema or athlete's foot. Besides these common causes, keratolysis may also be a possible factor.
Peeling of the feet may be caused by physiological factors or pathological conditions, such as eczema or athlete's foot. The specific analysis is as follows:
I. Physiological Factors
This may result from inadequate daily foot care, or during seasonal changes—especially in autumn and winter—when the skin tends to become dry due to reduced sebum secretion.
II. Pathological Factors
1. Eczema
Eczema may be triggered by factors such as hormonal imbalances, high levels of stress, or malnutrition. When eczema develops, it can reduce sebum production in the skin and decrease tension in the stratum corneum. This condition may also be accompanied by symptoms such as itching and red patches.
2. Athlete's Foot (Tinea Pedis)
Athlete's foot may occur due to poor foot hygiene, excessive sweating, or underlying conditions such as diabetes, leading to fungal infection of the skin. It is a type of hyperkeratotic disorder, with typical symptoms including dryness, peeling, and itching between the toes, on the arches, and on the heels.
In addition to the above common causes, peeling may also be associated with conditions such as keratolysis exfoliativa.
