Foot eczema, also known as foot dermatitis, is a skin condition that may cause redness, itching, and swelling on the feet. It can be frustrating and uncomfortable, especially if it interferes with daily activities like walking and exercising. However, with the right treatment and prevention strategies, it is possible to manage foot eczema and reduce its impact on your daily life.

In this blog post, we will explore the types, triggers, causes, and treatments for foot eczema.

What is foot eczema?

There are many types of eczema. Some of the most common forms of eczema on the feet are contact dermatitis and dyshidrotic eczema. Forms of eczema that occur on the feet or hands can appear before or during puberty. Eczema can appear on different parts of the foot depending on its type, for example:

• Irritant contact dermatitis or postural dermatitis usually occurs on the tops of the feet
• Dyshidrotic eczema is characterized by itching the soles of the feet or between the toes
• Static dermatitis occurs on the legs but also on the tops of the feet

Some triggers for foot eczema

Many external and internal factors can cause eczema, such as:

• Environmental conditions such as perspiration: Prolonged moisture from perspiration on the feet can lead to contact dermatitis.
• Friction: Rubbing the affected area can be aggravated by wearing socks or shoes.
• Stress: This increases the risk of eczema irritation and infection.
• Cold and dry weather: Humidity and hot weather can make flares worse, while in others it may improve them.
• Chemicals: Certain irritants such as soaps and laundry detergents can exacerbate eczema symptoms.
• Scented products.
• Some preservatives in shoes or certain materials in socks.

General treatment and prevention

Although there is no definitive cure for foot eczema, treatment aims to reduce itching and inflammation and help the skin retain moisture. Depending on the type of eczema, treatments may vary.

However, whatever form of eczema you have, the goal will be to reduce itching during a flare-up and restore moisture to the affected area. The earlier the treatment, the more effective it will be.

Prevention

Some of the ways people can reduce their chances of developing eczema on feet include:

• Keep the feet moist by applying a moisturizer after showering
• Identification of allergens through allergy testing
• Reduce stress levels by exercising regularly or creating a relaxation exercise
• Bathe the feet regularly to reduce dead skin buildup and bacteria
• Try to avoid stimuli such as changing socks to cotton socks.
• You might want to change the shoe if they have a preservative.

Consult a podiatrist today!