Skin changes of the feet

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Skin changes of the feet

Chapped feet and foot odor commonly occur when you wear heavy socks and shoes or boots that don't “breathe.” Home treatment may help relieve symptoms.

There are some common causes of skin changes in feet:

Skin between the toes or on the bottom of the foot that turns red, peels, cracks, itches, and burns may be caused by athlete's foot.
Inflamed and irritated feet may be caused by a reaction to shoes (shoe dermatitis).
Itchy, scaly, red patches of skin may be caused by psoriasis.
Red, swollen, painful skin without blisters may be caused by cellulitis.
Blistered skin filled with pus may be caused by a bacterial infection.
An unpleasant foot odor may develop when you have an infection.

People who have diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, or an impaired immune system are more likely to develop a bacterial infection of the foot. Decreased blood flow to the feet may be one of the main causes of these foot problems.

Credits

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Author	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Gavin W.G. Chalmers, DPM - Podiatry and Podiatric Surgery
Last Updated	October 27, 2008

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Last updated:	October 27, 2008
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Gavin W.G. Chalmers, DPM - Podiatry and Podiatric Surgery
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer

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