Is peeling skin on the soles of the feet a sign of athlete's foot?

Peeling skin on the soles of the feet is not necessarily caused by athlete's foot (tinea pedis), although athlete's foot is one of the common causes. Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a fungal skin infection. Its main symptoms include excessive sweating, itching, fungal infection, blisters, erosion, keratinization, and cracking between the toes. Among these, peeling skin is a common manifestation of athlete's foot. Peeling skin on the soles can also be caused by other factors such as dry skin, deficiency of vitamin A or B-complex vitamins, thickened stratum corneum, trauma (such as burns or abrasions), environmental factors (such as seasonal changes or chemical irritants), and other skin conditions like eczema or palmoplantar keratoderma. Therefore, when peeling skin appears on the soles of the feet, it is recommended to seek timely medical consultation for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment by a qualified physician. Additionally, maintaining clean and dry feet, avoiding excessive friction and pressure, are also important measures to prevent peeling skin on the soles.