If you’re living with psoriasis, you may sometimes discover you’ve developed skin symptoms you hadn’t seen before. In turn, you may wonder if that symptom is related to psoriasis or some other condition. After all, psoriasis and other unrelated conditions can have similar symptoms, including plaques (patches of thick skin), flaky skin, and itchiness.

One symptom you may notice is skin peeling in strips from your toes. Sometimes, people may notice peeling specifically on their big toe. If you’re experiencing this symptom, psoriasis may be the cause — although there are other potential culprits, such as athlete’s foot, a type of fungal infection.

In this article, we’ll look at why psoriasis may cause the skin on your toes to peel, other possible causes of skin peeling from the toes, and what you can do to treat this symptom.

Skin Peeling and Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition in which part of your immune system becomes overactive, specifically affecting your skin. This disorder speeds up your body’s production of skin cells to the point that your skin builds up more quickly than your body can naturally shed it. This, in turn, leads to plaques — patches of thick, scaly skin — that are prone to drying, cracking, bleeding, and itching.

Foot Psoriasis

Psoriasis symptoms can develop anywhere on a person’s body, from the top of their head to the bottoms of their feet. Palmoplantar psoriasis is a form of plaque psoriasis that can develop on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, and the skin between digits. Foot psoriasis symptoms usually resemble psoriasis symptoms on other parts of the body, including plaques, scales, dryness, and discoloration.

In some cases of foot psoriasis, a person may develop pustules (fluid-filled sores resembling blisters) — this is referred to as pustular psoriasis. Foot psoriasis may also affect the toenails, causing the nail to appear thick, feel rigid, or lift from the nail bed.

Does Psoriasis Cause Toe Peeling?

Skin flaking or peeling can be associated with psoriasis, and these symptoms can affect one’s feet. However, psoriasis doesn’t typically involve large strips of skin peeling off.

Other Potential Causes

Toe peeling is common in other skin conditions. For example, tinea pedis, also known as athlete’s foot, can cause the skin to peel between the toes. Athlete’s foot is a type of fungal skin infection. It can result from wearing closed shoes, having damp feet for extended periods of time, sweating a lot, or developing minor injuries to your skin or nails.

Aside from peeling of skin between toes, symptoms of athlete’s foot include:

• Itchiness
• Skin that appears red, purple, or gray from being inflamed
• Discoloration
• Burning or stinging sensations
• Blisters
• Scaling and dryness along the bottom and sides of the foot

Beyond fungal infections, other conditions that may cause the skin on your feet or toes to peel include:

• Contact dermatitis — Symptoms caused by allergic reactions to certain substances, such as ingredients in soaps and detergents or shoe materials like rubber or plastic
• Sunburn
• Atopic dermatitis (the most common type of eczema)
• Staph infections
• Medication side effects
• Other types of immune system disorders

Diagnosing Peeling Toes

If you’re living with psoriasis and notice unusual peeling on your foot or toes that you haven’t experienced before, you should speak with your doctor or dermatologist. They’re best equipped to figure out the cause. The diagnostic process may include:

• Conducting a physical examination by looking at the peeling skin
• Asking about your medical history, including any medications or supplements you may be taking
• Performing an allergy test, blood test, or skin biopsy

Treating Peeling Toes

Treatment options for peeling toes depend on what’s causing the symptom. According to Cleveland Clinic, treatments may include:

• Allergy medications
• Antibiotics
• Antifungals
• Corticosteroids
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

For at-home treatment, over-the-counter topicals such as moisturizers, lotions, or ointments may also help. Look for options that are hypoallergenic and free of dye and fragrances.

Make sure not to pick or pull at the peeling skin, as this can expose the area to infection. Picking at psoriasis scales also puts you at risk of bleeding and inflammation.

Ultimately, you should speak with a healthcare provider or dermatologist if you discover skin peeling from your toes.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On MyPsoriasisTeam, the social network for people with psoriasis and their loved ones, more than 134,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with psoriasis.

Have you noticed skin peeling from your toes? What caused it, and have you found any helpful treatments? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.