Daughters Feet Are Peeling

Hi N. - My first guess is a fungal infection. If you want to avoid the cost of a doc visit, just buy an OTC antifungal cream and apply according to the package. If her feet dont start to clear at all after a week, a doc visit might be necessary to get a different prescription.

It may just be normal peeling of the dead skin or it may be athletes feet. If it is athletes feet, the area where it's peeling will also be extremely itchy and maybe even burning. You can find antifungal creams in just about any store that sells first aid/skin care products. I use an off brand and it works fine. Hope that helps!

S.

When I was in high school, I used to have problems with the skin just peeling - it wasn't athletes foot or anything, it was more like the thick skin on my heels and the balls of my feet decided it was time to come off. Using a pumice stone when I shower to slough off the dead skin helps a lot, but make sure to put on a good foot lotion afterwards.

If you think it is a fungus/athletes foot, Domeboro is a good brand foot soak to use. They should have it at Rite Aid, though you may have to ask where they keep it. Technically it is only supposed to soothe the itchies and not eliminate the athletes foot, but it got rid of my break out, and my Dad uses it whenever he gets one.

Hi N.,

You suspect that your daughter has a fungus rather than dry skin. For any fungal involvement, certified pure therapeutic-grade melaleuca (tea tree oil, not the home care product company) is fabulous. Dilute a drop of it in 5 drops of fractionated coconut oil or olive oil, and apply three or more times during the day. Certified pure therapeutic-grade lavender oil is a good addition to condition the skin. Both of those oils can be used in other ways and for other issues. If you'd like to know more, feel free to contact me. I like to use nature's medicine cabinet (CPTG essential oils) because their purity can be counted upon, and I don't have to worry about harmful ingredients or derivitives entering my child's system.

Blessings,

S.

My daughter had peeling feet a few months ago. The doctor said it was probably some form of eczema. All I did was put Vaseline on her feet with socks at night and that seemed to clear it up. But he did say if it didn't get better that he would want to put some sort of steroid cream on it because the tissue was so thin. So just be aware of that. Try the Vaseline.
L.

My niece has had this problem on and off for about 3 yrs. The doctor told them it was eczema. They put her on a steriod cream that she was to rub on her feet. It is also exasperated by sweating feet, so they recomended that she take her shoes off whenever possible. Something that also worked for her even better than the prescription is bag balm. You can usually get it at Walmart or Target, if not they have it at Ag supply stores. It is just a heavy duty moisturizer, but was original used for milking cows. That might be something to try before you go to the doctor.

Sounds like athletes foot to me. Shouldn't require a doctor's trip, just some spray/lotion or the peeing thing (only have heard that works, never actually tried it). Just make sure you/she washes her hands thoroughly after touching her feet. It can spread to your hands (this used to happen to me when I was a kid), and your fingers will start peeling too. Gross, I know, but just thought I'd throw that out there.

If it's athlete's foot, the best thing to do is to have her pee on her feet (pee in the shower & the water runs down). Since she's a girl, that might not be as cool as it is for my boys-they're all about peeing in the shower.
For yeast infections, they recommend eating yogurt. Does she like yogurt? If she won't eat the Yoplait (or store version), try the Gogurts or Trix yogurts. If it's not bothering her, it could be something besides athlete's foot-from what hubby's said, it's miserable. It could be that insoles are keeping her feet from drying after they get sweaty. Have her take her shoes off as soon as she gets home from school & walk around barefoot as much as possible-not good for flat feet, but if her feet aren't breathing right & are stuck in shoes w/insoles all the time... may be worth it.
Are you able to wash the insoles? Even if you spray them w/some Lysol cleaner (not air freshener) & let them set overnight to dry, it might help.

Have you called the doctor's office to see if they have any advice over the phone?

In my experiences, it's most likely athlete's foot if it's really itchy. You will most likely need an Rx for that. Otherwise, it could be related to the changes in the weather because of the shift from humid summers to more arid winters.

Have you tried a good, thick cream (such as Aquaphor) on her feet overnight with socks to prevent it from getting all over the place?

Good luck.

I'd try Tinactin spray before calling the doc. It is super fast & easy. My doc said we could use it on my daughter when she was four and it worked great!

I had this problem when I was younger - exact same problem. I discovered that it was from washing my feet with soap (I guess it really dries out the skin). So, from then on I just rinse my feet off with water and let the shampoo and soap from my body hit my feet on the way down. It shouldn't interefere with her overall foot-hygeine - at least that hasn't been a problem for me.

My daughters caught athlete's foot from their father, who is in the army so he caught it from the showers there. Anyway, the skin on their foot just peels, but with my kids it was around their toes, on the bottom of their feet. I just used anti-fungal cream a few times and it went away.

marci

I had this problem (still do sometimes) when I was younger. I was told it was ecsema since that is something I have on my hands and it's genetic in my family. I was told also that it was because "my Feet couldn't breathe". Therefore in the summer I'd wear open toed sandals so my feet could breathe and in the winter I'd just take my shoes off when I was at home. It's not painful at all, it's not itchy. Just something that happens and it didn't really bother me at all. Sometimes I don't even realize it's happening.

Nicole,

You really should take her to the doctor for a fungal infection.... athletes' foot is debatable. An infection is hard to fight off without the right tools. Just take her. Peeling feet HURT. Mine peeled after I burned them in too hot of a bath (VERY LONG STORY, that I won't bore you with!) And the peeling can leave her open to other infections as well. Time to call the doc.

V.

I had this problem as a child also - it eventually just went away on its own as I grew. I know I did have athlete's foot twice (I believe) and treated it with over-the-counter powder. You could see a dr if you want, but probably not totally necessary....maybe just bring it up at her yearly physical. Does it seem to bother her?

Mine was most likely eczema also. I don't remember ever going to the dr and getting a diagnosis for it. It was kind of annoying, but never hurt and, as I said, went away on its own eventually...

I wouldn't worry too much....especially if it is not bothering her. Maybe try some of that OTC foot powder just to see if it works...

PS... my son also had eczema as a baby and we had to occasionally apply "steriod" cream - it is just cortizone 10 ointment...not a big deal. Again, over-the-counter and a very low dose of "steriods"..but it does seem to clear up most eczema spots.