Is peeling skin on the soles of the feet a sign of athlete's foot?
Disease description:
I recently noticed that my feet are peeling quite severely, and I feel like I might have athlete's foot every day. Is peeling on the soles of the feet a sign of athlete's foot?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
Peeling skin on the soles of the feet is not necessarily athlete's foot (tinea pedis), although athlete's foot can cause peeling skin on the soles. The causes of peeling skin on the soles are varied and may be due to fungal infection (i.e., athlete's foot), eczema, palmoplantar pustulosis, or other conditions. It may also be related to dry skin, vitamin deficiency, trauma, or environmental factors. As a fungal skin infection, athlete's foot may present with symptoms such as excessive sweating, itching, blisters, erosion, keratinization, and cracking between the toes. Peeling skin on the soles can be one of its manifestations. However, peeling skin on the soles alone cannot definitively indicate athlete's foot; diagnosis should be made based on a combination of other symptoms, clinical signs, and laboratory test results such as fungal microscopy. Therefore, when peeling skin appears on the soles of the feet, prompt medical consultation is recommended for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
