Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is It?TreatmentCauses and TriggersDiagnosisCopingFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is It?
Treatment
Causes and Triggers
Diagnosis
Coping
Frequently Asked Questions
Eczema can occur all over the body, but certain types (dyshidrotic,atopic dermatitis,neurodermatitis, andstasis dermatitis) are commonly found on the feet.
Learn more about eczema on your feet, its causes, and treatment options to find relief.
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What Is Eczema on the Feet?
Eczema is a group of conditions that cause inflamed skin. There are many types of eczema, some of which are common on the feet. The types that affect the feet include:
Relief, Remedies, Treatment for Eczema on Feet
Chronic eczema on the feet can increase the risk of infections and reduce quality of life.Because eczema can be long-lasting, it is important to find relief with treatment options that work for you. Different strategies will work for different types of eczema.
Practice Skin Self-Care
Developing a good skin care routine is important formanaging eczema, whether you are caring for yourself or your child. Keeping skin clean, protected, and hydrated creates a skin barrier, which can reduce redness, itchiness, and dryness. Some self-care skin tips include:
Manage Stress
Once you can identify your stress triggers, you can produce a solution. Exercise, a nutritious diet, meditation, getting outside, seeking social support, or mental health counseling, are all ways to manage stress.
How to Manage Stress: Top Strategies for Stress Relief
Eat a Nutritious Diet
A nutritious eating plan for eczema relief will include eliminating all allergens, focusing on hydration, and choosing whole foods. Certain foods and drinks have been reported to reduce symptoms in some people. These foods include:
Eating plans should be individualized based on a person’s unique needs. Speak with a healthcare provider or aregistered dietitianto help you choose the right foods.
What to Eat When You Have Eczema
Know Your Triggers
A trigger often causes aneczema flare. Many people with eczema also haveallergies(environmental, food, ingredients in products). You may be sensitive to climate, stress, or even lack of sleep. The material of shoes such as sneakers and sandals may also cause an eczema flare. Identifying your triggers can reduce eczema flares and symptoms.A healthcare provider orallergistcan rule out allergens and sensitivities.
Causes and Triggers of Eczema
Try Medication
When natural remedies are not enough, alternative treatment options may be necessary and can include different types of medications, such as:
There are additional medications that can be prescribed to manage eczema. Talk to a healthcare provider about your options.
Check Out Light Therapy
Wear Appropriate Clothing
Foot eczema can flare up due to sweat, socks, and friction. Moist environments can increase the risk of infections. Choose comfortable shoes that fit well and are not tight, and wear 100% cotton socks (avoid synthetic materials). It is helpful to take off your shoes as much as possible and not tie them too tightly.
Eczema SymptomsSymptoms of eczema vary based on the type of eczema you have. You may experience red, itchy, scaly, inflamed skin. You may also develop blisters or patches of itchy skin.
Eczema Symptoms
Symptoms of eczema vary based on the type of eczema you have. You may experience red, itchy, scaly, inflamed skin. You may also develop blisters or patches of itchy skin.
A variety of factors contribute to the development of eczema on the feet. Some of these factors include:
A healthcare provider,dermatologist, orpodiatrist(for foot eczema) can diagnose eczema based on a physical examination. They may need to take a skin sample if they suspect an infection.
Manypeople with eczemafind it helpful to speak to others dealing with the same thing or seek mental health counseling. In addition, once you discover your triggers and know how to manage them, you may find that your eczema improves, which alone makes living with it easier.
Summary
Eczema on the feet can appear in various forms and cause various symptoms. It is important to identify your triggers to mitigate your symptoms. Developing a good skin care routine, making dietary changes, managing stress, and seeking emotional support are other ways to find relief.
If you have hand and foot eczema, you should avoid things that trigger your skin to flare. These factors will be unique to each individual but may include certain fabrics (like wool), perfumes, fragrances, food and environmental allergens, and extreme temperatures.
Eczema on the feet can come and go. A variety of factors can trigger flare-ups. There is no cure, but you can take steps to manage foot eczema. Some children may grow out of it as they get older.
Certain materials, such as wool, polyester, and nylon, can cause sweating, friction, and too much heat, which makes eczema itchy. Socks that are 100% cotton absorb sweat and allow the skin to breathe.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Eczema Association.Managing eczema on hands and feet.American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Eczema.National Institute of Arthritis Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Atopic dermatitis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema overview.National Eczema Association.Neurodermatitis.National Eczema Association.Stasis dermatitis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Atopic dermatitis: Self-care.National Eczema Association.Wet wrap therapy.Zeiser K, Hammel G, Kirchberger I, et al.Social and psychosocial effects on atopic eczema symptom severity — a scoping review of observational studies published from 1989 to 2019.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2021;35(4):835-843. doi:10.1111/jdv.16950Nosrati A, Afifi L, Danesh MJ, et al.Dietary modifications in atopic dermatitis: Patient-reported outcomes.J Dermatolog Treat. 2017 Jan;28(6):523-538. doi:10.1080/09546634.2016.1278071National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.National Eczema Association.Available eczema treatments.National Eczema Association.Prescription topicals.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Eczema Association.Managing eczema on hands and feet.American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Eczema.National Institute of Arthritis Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Atopic dermatitis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema overview.National Eczema Association.Neurodermatitis.National Eczema Association.Stasis dermatitis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Atopic dermatitis: Self-care.National Eczema Association.Wet wrap therapy.Zeiser K, Hammel G, Kirchberger I, et al.Social and psychosocial effects on atopic eczema symptom severity — a scoping review of observational studies published from 1989 to 2019.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2021;35(4):835-843. doi:10.1111/jdv.16950Nosrati A, Afifi L, Danesh MJ, et al.Dietary modifications in atopic dermatitis: Patient-reported outcomes.J Dermatolog Treat. 2017 Jan;28(6):523-538. doi:10.1080/09546634.2016.1278071National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.National Eczema Association.Available eczema treatments.National Eczema Association.Prescription topicals.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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National Eczema Association.Wet wrap therapy.
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Nosrati A, Afifi L, Danesh MJ, et al.Dietary modifications in atopic dermatitis: Patient-reported outcomes.J Dermatolog Treat. 2017 Jan;28(6):523-538. doi:10.1080/09546634.2016.1278071
National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.
National Eczema Association.Available eczema treatments.
National Eczema Association.Prescription topicals.
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