The skin between your toes may be peeling due to conditions like athlete’s foot, psoriasis, and contact dermatitis. Treatment may include practicing proper foot hygiene and over-the-counter medications.
It’s not unusual for the skin between your toes to peel occasionally, especially if you’ve been wearing tight shoes.
However, peeling skin between your toes can also be a sign of an underlying skin condition.
Read on to learn about these possible skin conditions and their treatments.
Athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a type of fungal skin infection.
At first, athlete’s foot may look like a scaly rash between your toes. As it progresses, your skin may start to:
- itch
- peel
- crack
- bleed
- blister
Athlete’s foot can affect one or both feet. It often starts between the toes before spreading to other parts of the foot.
Athlete’s foot is contagious, especially in damp common areas such as spas, saunas, and locker rooms. Walking barefoot in these areas could increase your risk of developing athlete’s foot.
Other risk factors
Treatment
Most cases of athlete’s foot are treated with over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal creams and powders, as well as keeping your feet clean and dry.
If the infection returns, you may need a prescription antifungal medication.
If you have diabetes and notice symptoms of athlete’s foot, contact a doctor. People with diabetes are more prone to complications related to athlete’s foot, such as ulcers and skin damage.
Shoe contact dermatitis is an irritation that develops when the skin reacts to certain materials in shoes, such as:
- formaldehyde
- biocides
- leather
- certain glues
- nickel
- paraphenylenediamine, a type of dye
- rubber
- shoe freshener sprays
Shoe contact dermatitis usually causes a symmetrical rash that affects the top and bottom of the foot. However, symptoms may also appear between your toes.
Other symptoms may include:
- skin discoloration
- swelling
- itchiness
- cracked skin
- blisters
The symptoms usually get worse over time, especially if you keep wearing the shoes that caused it.
Treatment
The best way to treat shoe contact dermatitis is to avoid wearing shoes that cause the rash or shoes made with the irritant.
Other treatment options may include OTC topical hydrocortisone, antibiotics, or antifungals.
If your symptoms don’t improve after changing shoes, speak with a doctor. They could perform a skin patch test to help determine the underlying cause and provide a treatment plan.
Dyshidrotic eczema is a type of eczema that affects your hands and feet, including the skin between your toes.
Unlike a typical eczema rash, this condition causes extremely itchy blisters that may arise from:
Treatment
Symptoms usually clear up on their own within 3 weeks. As they heal, the blisters dry out and peel off the feet.
In the meantime, avoiding irritants, washing your feet with an emollient, and using a cold compress may help relieve symptoms.
In severe cases, a doctor may prescribe antihistamines or a steroid cream.
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that speeds up your body’s natural skin cell cycle. This results in thick, scaly patches of cells that accumulate on the surface of your skin.
Psoriasis could affect any part of your body, including your feet and the space between your toes.
The patches may be sore, itchy, and even bleed. You might also notice peeling. This is caused by dead skin cells flaking off. It doesn’t affect your actual skin. You might also notice that your toenails feel thicker.
Treatment
There’s no cure for psoriasis, but a treatment plan could help relieve symptoms and prevent flare-ups.
Treatment may
Learn more about treatments for psoriasis.
You may be familiar with wrinkly feet after a long soak.
However, when your feet are wet for too long, it may cause trench foot, also known as immersion foot. This happens when your feet are
Symptoms may include:
- blotchy, pale-colored skin
- itchiness
- pain
- skin discoloration
- tingling sensation
If left untreated, the skin on your feet starts to die and peel off.
Treatment
Most cases of trench foot can be
If you work outside or frequently stand or walk in wet conditions, consider carrying an extra pair of socks and a towel. Investing in waterproof shoes may also help.
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection that occurs on the skin. It’s most common in your legs and can spread quickly to your feet. It’s sometimes caused by untreated athlete’s foot.
Early symptoms include skin that is painful, hot, and swollen, and sometimes blisters that may peel as they pop or heal. You might also have a fever.
Treatment
If you think you have cellulitis, seek immediate medical treatment. The bacteria can enter your bloodstream, which may cause serious complications.
A doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat cellulitis. If you have wounds on your feet, including those caused by psoriasis or athlete’s foot, make sure you regularly clean and protect them.
Why is the skin between my toes peeling?
The skin between your toes may be peeling for several reasons, such as athlete’s foot, psoriasis, eczema, or prolonged exposure to damp environments.
How do I stop my skin from splitting between my toes?
Some ways to stop the skin from splitting between your toes include keeping them clean and dry, regularly changing your socks, and applying OTC moisturizers. If these home remedies don’t help, speak with a doctor. They may recommend a prescription medication.
What does athlete’s foot look like between toes?
Athlete’s foot usually causes a rash between the toes that may be discolored, itchy, and sometimes painful.
Will athlete’s foot go away on its own?
According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, athlete’s foot usually requires an OTC antifungal to treat it.
It’s normal for your toes to occasionally rub against each other, causing your skin to peel.
However, toes that become itchy, painful, swollen, or scaly may indicate an underlying problem. Most causes are easily treatable with either OTC or prescription medication.