My teen son just showed me his feet and the skin is peeling off between his toes. He says the burning is intense. Need a remedy before practice tomorrow!

The peeling and burning sensation between your son’s toes is often a sign of athlete’s foot, a common fungal infection. Athlete’s foot, or tinea pedis, thrives in warm, moist environments, making locker rooms and sweaty shoes perfect breeding grounds. The fungi responsible, typically dermatophytes, can cause the skin to peel, crack, and become inflamed, leading to discomfort.

While athlete’s foot is the most likely culprit, other possibilities include contact dermatitis or eczema, which can also lead to similar symptoms, though they are usually accompanied by redness or a rash elsewhere on the body. Identifying the exact cause is essential for effective treatment, so consider any recent changes in footwear, hygiene products, or environments he might have been exposed to.

Distinguishing athlete’s foot from more serious conditions involves observing specific symptoms. Athlete’s foot typically presents with peeling, itching, and burning between the toes, often accompanied by a musty odor. If your son experiences these along with redness and swelling, it’s likely athlete’s foot.