There’s nothing like a refreshing dip in the pool on a hot summer day. But sometimes, swimming in a pool can mysteriously shred your feet — an unpleasant phenomenon called “pool toe.”
Here’s everything you need to know about the condition, including what it is and how to treat it, plus an expert’s tips for pool toe prevention.
What Is Pool Toe?
It might not be an official diagnosis, but pool toe (or “swimmer’s toe”) refers to a “peeling or cracking of the bottom of the toes after being in the pool for a long time,” Nelya Lobkova, DPM, a podiatrist and founder of Step Up Footcare in New York City, says.
The medical name of this skin condition is keratolysis exfoliativa. Symptoms involve peeling, cracked, or blistering skin on the bottom of the feet, according to a case report and review published in 2020.
You’ll first spot a blister on your feet. When the blister opens, you’ll see red or irritated skin underneath that later becomes dry or cracked, Dr. Lobkova says. However, this skin usually does not itch, according to DermNet.
Swimming Pool Pulpitis
Pool pulpitis (also called pool palms) is a similar condition that causes blistering and irritation on your finger pads or palms. Typically, it’s the result of making contact with the rough concrete on the sides and edges of the pool, a case report published in 2023 says.
Why Pool Toe Happens
The exact reason pool toe happens isn’t fully understood. However, Lobkova says there are some things that may put you more at risk of the condition:
1. Your Feet Are Irritated
Often, “pool toe is a result of the chlorinated water causing irritation of the outer layer of plantar skin,” Lobkova says.
Other irritants, like bleach or detergents, can cause the peeling, too, she says.
2. Your Feet Are Sweaty
If you typically have sweatier feet (or have hyperhidrosis, a condition marked by excessive sweating), then your toes spend more time hanging out in a wet or moist environment. This sets the stage for this type of irritation and blisters to develop, Lobkova says.
3. You Have a Preexisting Skin Condition
Having eczema or psoriasis makes you more prone to pool toe because these conditions mean you have a compromised skin barrier, Lobkova says.
4. You’re Touching the Bottom of the Pool
There’s nothing wrong with the bottom of the pool, but the friction from the rough cement may chafe your feet to create the irritation and peeling, according to the report published in 2023.
Splitting toes commonly occurs in kids, who typically have more contact with the cement surface as they play in shallower waters, but adults can get them, too.
How to Treat Pool Toe
If your feet are roughed up from your latest pool party, you may be on the hunt for pool toe remedies. Here’s Lobkova’s advice for pool toe treatment:
- After swimming in a chlorinated pool, rinse off well with warm (not hot) water, and keep showers short (5 to 10 minutes max).
- Keep your feet dry. This might mean staying out of the pool and making sure you’re wearing footwear and socks that allow for airflow or are sweat-wicking.
- Don’t peel the skin. It can be so tough not to, but try to keep your mitts off your feet. “Let it heal on its own,” Lobkova says.
- Moisturize feet with gentle, fragrance-free moisturizers, like CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion or Aquaphor Healing Ointment, to encourage skin barrier repair.
- Try an over-the-counter cream. According to the 2023 report, topical corticosteroids are effective at curing pool toe.
Is It Pool Toe or Athlete’s Foot?
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that can also cause peeling skin on the toes. But, according to Mayo Clinic, athlete’s foot typically comes with a rash that itches, stings, and burns.
Talk to your doctor if you think you might have athlete’s foot. You’ll need an antifungal treatment to get rid of it.
How to Prevent Pool Toe
There are a few precautions you can take to help keep feet and toes peel-free. Here are Lobkova’s tips for preventing pool toe:
- First, if you have a known skin condition like eczema or psoriasis that makes you more prone to pool toe, keep your swims shorter. (And if your skin condition isn’t well managed, talk to your doctor about the best ways to manage it.)
- Remember that splitting, cracking skin means you have a compromised skin barrier, so you may be more at risk of infections. Wear footwear around the pool and in the bathroom, and moisturize your feet and toes before and after swimming to lessen this risk.
- Always rinse off after you swim, but keep your rinse to just a few minutes. Use warm water instead of hot to avoid irritating or drying out your skin even more.
