Foot Peeling: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment

Foot peeling is a common occurrence, and in severe cases, it can lead to other problems. Therefore, it is essential to take care of your feet regularly. What should you do if you experience extensive peeling on the bottom of your feet without itching? Regardless of whether the peeling is itchy or not, the treatment should be tailored to the underlying cause. Without addressing the specific cause, no amount of effort or resources spent will lead to improvement. For instance, frequent soaking in water can cause extensive peeling without accompanying itching, which can gradually resolve by avoiding such conditions.

Causes of Foot Peeling

1. Athlete's Foot: This is a highly common fungal skin infection, often seen in men but can also affect women. It is caused by dermatophytes and can vary in severity. Individuals who tend to sweat excessively on their feet are more prone to developing severe cases as the fungi thrive and spread easily in such environments. It is crucial for those with athlete's foot to maintain good foot hygiene, wash their feet regularly, and change their shoes frequently.

2. Dry Skin: Dry skin can lead to peeling on the hands and feet. The lack of adequate oxygen or moisture supply to the skin cells on the feet, especially during the dry seasons of autumn and winter, can cause cell death and subsequent peeling.

Individuals with dry skin should increase their water intake and consume more vegetables to alleviate the symptoms.

3. Vitamin E Deficiency: A lack of Vitamin E can contribute to foot peeling. This is because Vitamin E is essential for maintaining healthy skin, and its deficiency can lead to skin necrosis and peeling.

It is recommended for individuals with this deficiency to consume more fruits and vegetables and consider taking Vitamin E supplements.

4. Exfoliative Keratolysis: This condition not only causes peeling on the bottom of the feet but can also lead to pain and difficulty walking in severe cases.

The causes mentioned above can all lead to foot peeling, which often has a seasonal pattern and may heal spontaneously without the need for specific treatment. However, individuals with severe or persistent peeling should consult a doctor for further evaluation and treatment.

Treatment for Foot Peeling

1. During the blistering stage, the focus should be on收敛 and relieving itching. Herbal skin care solutions or 10% alum solution can be applied externally.

2. During the peeling stage, topical medications can be used to protect the newly grown epidermis, such as applying skin care ointments.

3. For patients with dry and thickened skin with small cracks, moisturizing and anti-crack ointments can be applied externally. It is important to avoid tearing off incompletely peeled skin to prevent pain or bleeding.

4. For more severe or recurrent cases, oral medications such as Liuwei Dihuang Pill or its modified formula may be prescribed. The formula typically includes Rehmannia glutinosa (20g), Chinese yam (15g), Cornus (10g), Cortex Moutan (10g), Alisma orientale (10g), Poria cocos (15g), Saposhnikovia divaricata (15g), and Tribulus terrestris (30g). These herbs are boiled in water and consumed as a decoction. Generally, significant improvement can be seen after 3-5 doses.

5. Vitamin C injection can be applied topically to the affected area twice daily for three days, which can effectively promote skin healing.

6. It is also essential for patients to maintain a positive mindset, avoid stress and emotional arousal, and minimize contact with alkaline detergents to prevent the occurrence of this condition.

7. Crushed ginger can be soaked in white wine for 24 hours and then applied to the affected area once or twice daily, which can be highly effective.

Remember to consult a doctor for personalized treatment recommendations based on your specific condition and symptoms.