What Causes Itching and Peeling Between the Toes?
Apr 24, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Gan Liqiang
Introduction
Itching and peeling between the toes commonly stem from two causes: the most frequent is fungal infection, while the second most common is localized foot eczema triggered by allergies. Fungal infections typically affect only one limb and may present locally with erosion, exudation, scaling, and even crusting.
Itching and peeling between the toes commonly stem from two primary causes: the most frequent is a fungal infection, while the second most common is allergic contact dermatitis (a localized form of eczema affecting the feet).
Fungal infections of the feet often occur when there is a small break or wound in the skin, especially in individuals with relatively weakened local immunity. Transmission may occur through direct contact with an infected person or indirectly via shared personal items such as slippers or socks.
Fungal infections typically affect only one foot (unilateral involvement) and may present with localized symptoms including maceration (softening and whitening of skin), oozing, scaling, and even crusting. In contrast, eczema usually manifests bilaterally, with features such as papules, erythematous plaques, and scaling.
As a layperson, you may find it difficult to distinguish reliably between these two conditions. Therefore, it is advisable to visit a hospital for an in-person consultation; a physician can perform a physical examination and appropriate diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis.
