Differential Diagnosis for Red Peeling Foot
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Contact Dermatitis: This is a common condition that can cause redness and peeling of the skin, especially if the foot has come into contact with an irritant or allergen. The peeling could be a result of the healing process after the initial inflammation.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Athlete's Foot (Tinea Pedis): A fungal infection that can cause redness, itching, and peeling of the skin on the feet. It thrives in warm, moist environments, making the feet a prime target.
- Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis): Can cause dry, itchy, and inflamed skin, which may peel as it heals. It's a chronic condition that can affect any part of the body, including the feet.
- Psoriasis: An autoimmune condition that speeds up the life cycle of skin cells, causing cells to build up rapidly on the surface of the skin. The extra skin cells form scales and red patches that itch or burn, which can include peeling.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Cellulitis: A bacterial skin infection that can cause redness, swelling, and warmth of the skin. While it doesn't typically cause peeling in its early stages, it can lead to more severe complications if not treated promptly, such as abscesses or the spread of infection.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Although DVT typically presents with swelling, pain, and warmth of the leg, in some cases, it can lead to skin changes, including redness and potentially peeling if the skin's blood supply is compromised.
Rare Diagnoses
- Keratolysis Exfoliativa: A rare condition characterized by the peeling of the skin on the palms and soles, often without any preceding inflammation or other symptoms.
- Pitted Keratolysis: A bacterial infection of the skin on the feet, characterized by small pits and a peeling or scaling appearance, often accompanied by a foul odor.
- Syphilis (Secondary): Can cause a variety of skin rashes, including ones that might lead to peeling, though this would be part of a broader set of symptoms including fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches, and fatigue.