From the Guidelines
For peeling feet, I recommend starting with a gentle exfoliation using a pumice stone or foot file during a warm foot soak, followed by applying a nonmedicated moisturizer, as suggested by the joint AAD-NPF guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with topical therapy and alternative medicine modalities for psoriasis severity measures 1.
Key Considerations
- Peeling feet can result from various factors including dryness, friction, fungal infections, or skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema.
- Gentle exfoliation and moisturizing are crucial in managing peeling feet.
- Nonmedicated moisturizers can help reduce itching and desquamation, as stated in the joint AAD-NPF guidelines 1.
Treatment Approach
- Apply a nonmedicated moisturizer, such as a cream, ointment, lotion, or gel, to help reduce itching and desquamation.
- Avoid using greasy creams for basic care, as they might facilitate the development of folliculitis due to their occlusive properties 1.
- Keep feet clean and dry, wear breathable footwear, and avoid harsh soaps.
- If symptoms persist or worsen, consider consulting a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Additional Considerations
- For more severe cases or if accompanied by itching, redness, or pain, further evaluation and treatment may be necessary, such as antifungal creams for athlete's foot.
- Topical steroid preparations, like prednicarbate cream, may be used for inflammatory skin conditions, but should be used under the supervision of a dermatologist 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Directions • adults and children 12 years and older o use the tip of the cap to break the seal and open the tube o wash the affected skin with soap and water and dry completely before applying o for athlete's foot wear well-fitting, ventilated shoes. Change shoes and socks at least once daily. ▪ between the toes only: apply twice a day (morning and night) for 1 week or as directed by a doctor. ▪ on the bottom or sides of the foot: apply twice a day (morning and night) for 2 weeks or as directed by a doctor. Uses • cures most athlete's foot (tinea pedis) • cures most jock itch (tinea cruris) and ringworm (tinea corporis) • relieves itching, burning, cracking and scaling which accompany these conditions
The recommended treatment for peeling foot, specifically athlete's foot, with terbinafine (TOP) is to:
- Apply the medication twice a day (morning and night)
- For 1 week if the infection is between the toes only
- For 2 weeks if the infection is on the bottom or sides of the foot as directed by a doctor 2. The medication is intended to cure the infection and relieve symptoms such as itching, burning, cracking, and scaling 2.
From the Research
Treatment Options for Peeling Foot
- The treatment for peeling foot, which can be caused by superficial fungal infections, should be tailored to the individual needs of the patient, taking into account factors such as the type, location, and surface area of the infection, patient age, degree of inflammation, and underlying comorbidities 3.
- Topical antifungal agents, such as miconazole or terbinafine, can be effective in treating fungal skin infections, and their efficacy can be enhanced by the addition of a corticosteroid to attenuate inflammatory symptoms and increase patient compliance 3, 4.
- The use of topical antifungal-corticosteroid combinations can help to overcome issues such as inflammation and pruritus, which can impede treatment and aggravate the fungal infection 4.
- These combinations can concomitantly attenuate inflammation, relieve pruritus, and treat fungal infection, making them a competent treatment option for peeling foot caused by superficial fungal infections 4.