Bottom of my feet are peeling (doesn't hurt or anything) & I wear flip-flops pretty much everyday? What to do?

Hi there,

I am a podiatrist (foot doctor) and peeling soles of feet are very common. It happens to everyone, and I believe it is happening to you because of the place you work - the pools. Just imagine when you are in the bath, or in the pool for a very long time, your skin starts to go wrinkly and prune like. Then after a while, it starts to peel off - this is what is happening to you. I recommend exfoliating weekly, using a pumice stone, or a pedegg (these are actually okay, but a pumice stone does the exact same thing) and just waiting it out. Its not hazardous, and nothing to worry about.

Within time it should pass, but if this is a re-occurring thing, or does not go away in a few weeks, then please see a podiatrist or your local health care professional.

Regards,

Dr. C

Podiatrist

*The following is an on-line diagnosis by a Podiatrist, even though I am qualified I can be wrong because I can not actually see your problem, I recommend seeing your health care professional.*

I seem to have the same problem pretty recently over the last 2 weeks or so. I noticed it all started when my boots at work got wet and I worked all day with wet socks. It was only on the right foot for a while. Like someone said above, some spots would look like a popped blister. I could peel it off and it's damp underneath. It's toward the ball of my foot and the bottom of my toes. Doesn't hurt, itch, burn, or anything. Now I just noticed two small spots on my left foot after spending some time in the lake 4 days ago. Is it too much moisture? I tried some Foot Works lotion and put that last night and covered them with socks, but I still noticed a new spot tonight.

Skin Peeling On Feet

I have had the same problem going on 2 years. It happens just to one foot. I've tried a PedEgg, pumice stone, lotions of all kinds, an battery operated foot exfoliator, foot powder....nothing works. Whatever this is that goes from the tops of my toes, in between my toes and all down the bottom of my foot to the heel, does not burn, itch or hurt. My toes and bottom of my foot are cracked, dry and peeling. There are patches of "this stuff" that almost looks like I had a blister that popped, but it's just part of the messy, drying, peeling skin. I do wear flip flops in the shower, only because my husband has fungus toes and I'm very careful not to get that on top of what I have. I wear flip flops, sandals and tennis shoes. I don't swim so it can't be contributed to that. I can grab a piece of skin from just underneath my toe and peel it halfway down my foot.

Same thing happened to me - I had my hard skin removed by a chiropodist before I went on holiday so my feet were slightly tender when wearing hard, flat scandals. So I thought it was just my feet hardening up again. However, after reading the comments above, I was in the sea or in the pool for at least 4 hours every day for 10 days - so they probably had a right old pruning! I didn't notice til 3 days after I got back and couldn't believe it, my soles were like snake skin. Anyway it came off quite easily and my feet have been fine ever since. By the way I would highly recommend a chiropody treatment if you are prone to hard skin - it's the best pamper ever!

I started taking Lanzoprazole (a drug for acid reflux) 6 weeks ago and since then I have had peeling skin on my palms and soles of my feet which I have never had before. I looked up the side effects of this medicine. Peeling skin is listed as a side effect. Not a common one, however it is still on the list and so mine is definately from the tablets! Hope this helps someone. Check your medication.

Probably some combination of your feet being wet/your flip-flops rubbing them all the time. Just get a cup of sugar and use it to scrub the dead skin off your feet in the shower. Eventually they'll stop peeling and look better.

Use some foot exfoliator...I use it once a week. I was amazed how smooth and soft my feet were the very first time. I use foot cream at night too. I can't afford pedicures...so these are the next best thing for me. Look down the foot care aisle at Walmart/Target.

i had the same thing happen to me about 3 weeks ago. i didn't really do anything to try to make it go away except put lotion on it. my mom said it was probably athletes foot. it took about two weeks to go away completely. its funny because exactly what you described is exactly the same story as mine. with the flip flops and shoes.

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