Reasons for Skin Peeling Between the Toes
If you have skin peeling between the toes, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many people report skin peeling between their toes, and often it is accompanied by other symptoms, such as itching or the formation of blisters.
If you have skin peeling between the toes, don't worry, you're not alone. Many people report skin peeling between their toes, and often it is accompanied by other symptoms, such as itching or the formation of blisters. Other times, it's simply cases of the skin turning white and peeling away to reveal new skin underneath. Several things may be to blame for your skin peeling.
Toe Box Dermatitis
Toe box dermatitis is so named for the part of the shoe that covers the toes often doesn't allow the toes to breathe. Many shoes reinforce toes with rubber or other materials that prevent feet from breathing properly, trapping moisture between the toes. Non-breathable materials also cause the environment around the toes to increase in temperature, trapping in heat as well as moisture. Peeling and redness are a result of the environment and are classified as dermatitis.
Athlete’s Foot
Athlete's foot is one of the most common reasons for skin peeling between the toes. According to Medline Plus, Fungus grows and multiplies between your toes causing an infection, and they especially thrive in warm, moist places, such as between your toes. Peeling is typically accompanied by cracked, flaky skin, and the surrounding skin is usually red and itchy. Other symptoms may include burning, stinging, blisters, oozing or crusting.
Cellulitis
According to Medline Plus, cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin. There are many types of bacteria living on the skin, but if there is a break in the skin, the bacteria can enter the body, causing an infection and inflammation. As a result of the infection, the skin turns red, hot, irritated and painful. Risk factors of cellulitis include cracks or peeling skin between the toes.
Trench Foot
Sustained exposure to damp, cold conditions with temperatures between 32 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit can cause trench foot. Repeated exposures to the cold can cause blisters, erythema, or redness, and skin that peels. It is also known as immersion foot, and immersion foot can also mean warm weather injuries resulting from sustained exposure in damp environments. Those who wear rubber and insulated boots on a regular basis are susceptible to trench or immersion foot.
Psoriasis
There are various forms of psoriasis, and some lead to the peeling of the skin in-between the toes. It is a skin condition categorized as a form of eczema. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the cause is unknown, but it is believed the immune system plays a role in it. It can be triggered by a number of things including stress, an infection such as strep throat, and certain medications.