Eczema Around Feet & Ankles

Atopic dermatitis – often referred to as eczema – is a chronic skin condition that causes dryness, redness, flaking, and a crazy amount of itching.

It’s linked to an over-reactive immune response and a weakened skin barrier, which makes skin more sensitive to everyday irritants like soaps, heat, friction, and certain fabrics. 

While it can appear anywhere on the body, flare-ups of eczema on the feet or a rash around the ankles can be especially challenging due to constant movement, shoe wear, and exposure to sweat and moisture. 

At Skin Friend, we have worked with many patients with foot eczema (including our founder Karen Fischer) and we have found that healthy skin starts with gentle care. Our science-backed skincare and supplements are created to nurture the skin barrier, keep moisture locked in, provide nutritional support, and help your feet and ankles feel comfortable, cared for, and supported – without topical steroid creams.

Do Feet and Ankles Need Extra Care?

The skin on the feet and ankles has a tough job – they carry your weight, are constantly moving, often closed up in socks and shoes for hours each day. 

Heat, sweat, and rubbing can make an eczema rash on the feet more likely to appear, while the thinner skin makes a rash around the ankles especially more prone to redness and dryness. 

If you’ve noticed eczema on the feet and ankles, friction from clothing, sports gear, or tight footwear may be contributing to flare-ups.

Nutritionist and Skin Friend founder Karen shares her story:

“When my head-to-toe eczema finally cleared, the last stubborn patches were on my feet and ankles. It was incredibly frustrating — they kept getting infected, which only made things worse. The Eczema Detox helped to clear most of my rash, but I knew I needed extra topical support for those difficult areas on my feet and ankles.

That’s why I created Wonder Zinc. Wearing medical gloves to protect against infection, I applied it three times a day, and before long the remaining patches disappeared. It truly changed my life — I could finally wear open-toed shoes in summer and walk barefoot on the beach again.”

Causes and Triggers: Rashes on Ankles and Feet

Getting a rash on your feet and ankles can be influenced by both external and internal factors, including contact with irritants, environmental stressors, and genetic predisposition:

• Wearing shoes for long periods without letting your feet breathe
• Sweat or damp socks creating a warm, moist environment (increased risk of infection)
• Friction from tight shoes or scratchy fabrics
• Irritation from fragrances in detergents, body washes, or fabric softeners
• Seasonal changes that bring dry air or extra humidity
• Allergic reactions to latex, adhesives, or certain fabrics
• Diet-related flare-ups or nutrient deficiencies – see our guide Vitamins to Take for Eczema

Ways to Support Skin on the Feet and Ankles

Caring for eczema on the bottom of the feet or around the ankles means focusing on protection, hydration, and barrier support.

From the Inside

Wondering what vitamins to take for eczema? Skin Friend’s supplements are formulated with zinc, vitamin C, and skin-loving B2 vitamins to help maintain skin integrity and keep your barrier functioning at its best. 

• Kickstart your morning with Skin Friend AM, a blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support collagen production, target signs of redness and dryness, and promote healthy skin repair.
  
  
• End the day with Skin Friend PM. Full of calming minerals like magnesium and calcium to relax the body, nourish the skin overnight, and support healthy sleeping patterns, because restful sleep is important when dealing with eczema.

From the Outside

Our range of targeted eczema creams are gentle enough for daily use on sensitive areas – especially eczema on the bottom of feet or rashes around the ankles. 

Karen shares her experience:

“For a long time, I struggled with eczema on the soles of my feet and couldn’t figure out the cause. Eventually, I realised it was coming from a floor cleaning product that contained essential oils, which were irritating my skin barrier. Each night while in bed, I applied Eczema Friend to the soles of my feet, and it worked quickly to restore my skin.”

Wonder Zinc (winner of the Prevention Australia Beauty Awards 2024) contains zinc oxide and provitamin B5 (panthenol) to help restore the skin barrier – leaving skin feeling soothed, hydrated, and comfortable.

Star Ingredients

• Zinc Oxide: Provides a breathable shield against environmental irritants.
• Panthenol (Provitamin B5): Helps reduce the appearance of redness and supports barrier repair.

How to Apply Skin Friend for an Eczema Rash on the Feet

Myth: You must bathe before moisturising.

Fact: Research shows moisturiser alone (without bathing first) hydrates eczema-prone skin far better than bathing first.

1. If you are bathing, apply your cream afterwards or apply the cream without bathing, as moisturisers work better on dry skin, because water repels hydrating oil and this may decrease the absorption rate.
2. Pat skin completely dry – especially between toes, to reduce the risk of fungal infections.
3. Massage a small amount of Wonder Zinc or Eczema Friend into affected areas morning and night.
4. Reapply after exercise, bathing, or whenever skin feels dry or itchy (the creams help to quickly dampen the itch).

Rash on Ankles and Feet: Prevention Pointers

• Rotate your shoes to give them time to air and dry fully.
• Choose socks made from natural fibres like cotton or bamboo.
• Wash clothing and bedding with gentle, fragrance-free detergents.
• Keep skin hydrated with daily moisturising, even when it appears calm, to prevent future flares.
• Nourish your skin from within with Skin Friend AM & PM supplements.

Eczema Friend – Rash Cream

AM Activated Multi

PM Mineral Matrix

24-Hour Rescue

Wonder Zinc

Eczema Detox Clear Skin Toolkit

The Skin Friend Difference

Created by award-winning nutritionist and skin health expert Karen Fischer, Skin Friend is built on the belief that healthy, glowing skin starts with a strong skin barrier, good nutrition and expert formulating. 

Backed by over 20 years of clinical experience working with real eczema patients, our formulas are clean, gentle, and free from harsh additives, fragrances and fillers. We focus on prevention and skin resilience – helping you manage and prevent flare-ups, soothe irritation, and create skin that looks and feels its best. 

Whether you’re calming eczema on your feet, easing a rash around your ankles, or keeping sensitive skin smooth and comfortable, Skin Friend gives you the confidence to live life without constant flare-up worries. You’ll be barefoot on the beach in no time. 

Learn More About Eczema Care by Body Area

• Around the Eyes
• Elbows and Knees
• Hands and Fingers
• Face and Scalp
• Skin Folds (Intertrigo Areas)