Excessive sweating, dry skin, and side effect of medications are some of the most common causes of peeling feet in children. Read the following HealthHearty article to know more about its causes:
The term ‘peeling skin’ describes a condition in which the top most layer of the skin (epidermis) loses its natural texture and is damaged. As a result, it can easily come off, eventually leading to the loss of epidermis. Peeling feet in children and adults points towards an underlying skin problem but can also be due to external factors like over exposure to the sun.
Causes
Sweating
Wearing shoes for prolonged periods, especially during summer time causes sweating. As the sweat gets trapped and does not evaporate, the feet remain persistently wet, which causes the skin to peel.
Athlete’s Foot
The term athlete’s foot refers to a fungal skin infection that usually strikes the skin located between the toes. However, it can also affect any other portion on the foot. Athlete’s foot is typically marked by a red rash that causes persistent sensation in the affected areas of the foot.
Dry Skin
This is a skin problem that typically mars the appearance of the topmost layer of the skin. Dry skin is one of the most common causes of peeling skin on the hands and feet in children. The skin appears dull and flaky and many times triggers an unbearable itching sensation.
Medications
Although medications help treat the underlying condition, some are notorious for causing skin problems. People on high blood pressure medications often complain about dryness in skin, which may cause the topmost layer of the skin to peel off.
Kawasaki Disease
Peeling feet, accompanied by high fever that has not subsided for the past 3-4 days could mean that the child is suffering from Kawasaki disease. In this condition, the lymph nodes located in the neck area are swollen. This disease usually affects children below 5 years of age. Apart from swollen lymph nodes, eyes becoming red, skin discoloration and unwanted changes on the lips are some of the other symptoms associated with Kawasaki disease.
Cold Weather
Cold climatic conditions can also cause dry peeling skin. As the temperature decreases, the skin starts losing its moisture, and becomes dry. The winter chills that make the skin dehydrated can cause the epidermis to peel off to a certain extent.
Staph Infections
This is a bacterial skin infection in which the epidermis shows the formation of blisters. When the blisters burst, it damages the uppermost layer of the skin that eventually peels off.
Applying moisturizers that specifically treat this type of skin problem, is recommended to relieve the irritation. Skin creams containing aloe vera as an active ingredient are useful to rejuvenate the skin and speed up the healing. As a precautionary measure to prevent the peeling process from spreading to other areas of the skin, one should avoid scratching or rubbing as it can lead to the formation of scars. Immersing the affected feet in cold water can also ease the itching sensation and slow down the peeling process.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.
