Living with eczema on your feet can be a real challenge, as the condition can cause discomfort, itching, and inflammation.
Not to mention how painful it is to put on socks and take them off at the end of the day.
Oh ya, it hurt’s to walk too ???? I know!
But since you are on the best eczema blog, I’ll guide you on how to find the best shoes for eczema on feet.
But before we dive into that, we first need to address why you have eczema on your feet.
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Why Do I Have Eczema On My Feet?
Eczema is a multifactorial issue.
In other words, it’s usually a combination of stress + nutrition + genes + environment + skincare products.
All these are immune system triggers.
When your immune system is overloaded with chemicals and toxins, it shows up as eczema.
Where do we come into contact with these chemicals and toxins?
Fast foods. Packaged foods. Processed foods.
Skincare products. Cleaning products.
Your body is able to handle this in moderation
But when there is too much, the body becomes overloaded and is detoxing itself through your skin.
Throw stress into this and it’s a recipe for eczema.
2 Home Remedies for Eczema on Feet
I don’t want you to suffer with feet eczema.
You shouldn’t have to google best shoes for eczema on feet forever.
I’ve lived that life and it’s brutal.
I’ve had multiple infections on my feet from scratching.
My feet became so swollen, my shoes wouldn’t fit.
My eczema on my feet was so bad, putting on socks was painful.
Taking them off was even more painful because the eczema dried up with the fabric.
So taking them was like taking off a dry bloody band aid. Ouch x1000000000000!
Dead Sea Salt Foot Soaks
This one hack, tip, trick, magic will heal your feet so fast, you won’t even need the shoes I’m going to share with you below.
Soak your feet in some warm water and half cup of dead sea salt.
Do this at least 3x a week.
As your foot starts to heal, you can decrease how often you do this.
Dead Sea Salt is rich in magnesium, calcium, sodium, zinc, potassium, and sulfur.
These are beneficial to your skin and healing eczema.
The benefits of dead sea salt are:
- Natural exfoliator
- Purifies your pores
- Replenishes skin moisture
- Antifungal, antimicrobial, and antibacterial
- Helps calm skin allergies and inflammation
Calendula to Heal
Once you complete your foot soak, apply a lotion or cream infused with calendula.
Calendula has been used as a medicinal plant for ages due to its anti-inflammatory benefits.
Calendula is typically extracted from the leaves, petals, and seeds of the flower.
It is also quite popular in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
So what are the benefits?
- Moisturizing
- Tones the skin
- Wound healing
- Anti-inflammatory
- Protect the skin barrier
If you are intrigued, check out Ora’s Amazing Herbal Salve, a product that uses Calendula and other natural ingredients.
Best Shoes for Eczema on Feet
So there is no one best shoe for eczema.
But we will look into what features are needed so make sure your feet is as comfortable as possible while your eczema heals.
By understanding the key features and materials that promote comfort and breathability, you can make an informed decision.
- Breathable Materials
- Shoes made of breathable materials such as mesh, canvas, or leather allow air circulation, preventing excessive sweating and moisture buildup.
- Seamless Construction
- Shoes with minimal seams or those constructed with seamless technology help avoid friction against sensitive skin and reduce the risk of irritation.
- Moisture-Wicking Properties
- Shoes with moisture-wicking liners or insoles can effectively absorb sweat, keeping your feet dry and reducing the chances of eczema flare-ups.
- Roomy Toe Box
- Opt for shoes with a spacious toe box to prevent rubbing and crowding of the toes, which can exacerbate eczema symptoms.
- Adjustable Closures
- Shoes with adjustable closures like laces, straps, or Velcro allow you to customize the fit and avoid tightness or pressure points
- Sandal
- Opt for sandals with soft, moisture-wicking foot beds and adjustable straps. Brands like Birkenstock, Keen, and Teva offer sandals with premium materials and contoured foot beds to provide the necessary arch support.
- Slip-On Shoes
- Slip-on shoes made of soft, stretchy materials like neoprene or elastic fabric can accommodate sensitive feet without compromising on style
- Natural Fiber Shoes
- Shoes made of natural fibers like organic cotton or hemp can offer breathability and minimize irritation. Look for eco-friendly shoe brands that prioritize sustainable materials and comfort.
Without further ado, here are my recommendations for the best shoes for eczema on feet.
Birkenstocks
Birkenstock sandals are known for their contoured foot beds that provide arch support and promote healthy foot alignment.
The soft foot bed version offers added cushioning and moisture-wicking properties.
The fact that it’s open, allows your skin and feet to breathe.
Additionally, having the straps allows you to adjust the tightness.
So if your feet is a little swollen, you can loosen it up.
Skechers Go Joy Walking Shoe Sneaker
These slip-on shoes by Skechers are made of soft, stretchy fabric that accommodates sensitive feet.
They have cushioned insoles and a lightweight design, making them comfortable for everyday wear.
It has a breathable upper mesh construction that allows for your skin and feet to breathe, stay cool and dry (but not on rainy days though).
PUMA Men’s Cool Cat 2.0 Slide Sandals
If you have eczema on your feet, you already know that the wrong footwear can trigger a flare fast. The PUMA Cool Cat 2.0 gets a few things right that make it worth considering.
The slip-on design means zero friction around sensitive skin when putting them on and taking them off. The smooth, cushioned footbed has no rough seams or harsh textures pressing into inflamed areas. And the synthetic leather upper is easy to wipe clean, no fabric trapping sweat, dirt, or topical creams against your skin.
The open design also lets your feet breathe, which is huge when heat and moisture are common eczema triggers.
Lightweight, minimal, and easy on the skin. Sometimes simple is exactly what your feet need.
Crocs Unisex-Adult Classic Clog
Crocs get a bad reputation for their looks, but for anyone dealing with foot eczema, they might actually be one of the smartest footwear choices out there.
The ventilation ports allow air and water to pass through the shoe, which means less heat and moisture build-up. Two of the biggest eczema triggers on feet. More airflow, fewer flares.
The Croslite foam material molds to your foot for a custom fit, so there’s no stiff material rubbing against cracked or inflamed skin. It’s also odor-resistant and easy to clean, which matters when you’re applying topicals and need a shoe you can actually wipe down.
Built-in arch support and a roomy toe boxmean your foot isn’t cramped or compressed, especially on days when swelling or sensitivity is high.
Easy on, easy off. No laces, no tight straps, no irritation. Just a clean, smooth interior and room for your feet to breathe.
Not the most glamorous shoe in the world but your skin doesn’t care about glamorous.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the best shoes for eczema on feet?
The best shoes for eczema on your feet prioritize breathable materials, seamless construction, and adjustable closures. The top options include Birkenstock sandals for their contoured footbed and open design, Skechers Go Joy sneakers for their soft mesh upper, and PUMA Slides or the all favourite Crocs. The right shoe depends on how active your flare is — open sandals work best during flare-ups when swelling is an issue. These are just a few options, definitely explore and see what works best for your feet.
Why does eczema flare up on feet specifically?
Feet are a common eczema hotspot because they’re exposed to friction, sweat, and synthetic materials from shoes and socks all day. This constant contact with irritants — combined with moisture buildup — overloads the skin barrier and triggers flare-ups. Tight footwear, rubber materials, and dyes in shoe liners are frequent culprits.
What materials in shoes should people with eczema avoid?
People with eczema should avoid shoes made with synthetic rubber, nylon liners, or heavily dyed fabrics, as these can trap moisture and introduce chemical irritants to sensitive skin. Leather with harsh tanning chemicals and tight elastic that creates pressure points are also common triggers. Opt for natural fibers like organic cotton, mesh, or eucalyptus-based materials where possible.
Is it better to go barefoot or wear socks with eczema on feet?
It depends on the severity of your flare. During active flare-ups, loose breathable socks made from 100% cotton or bamboo can protect broken skin from shoe friction. Going barefoot at home on clean surfaces can give skin a chance to breathe. Avoid tight socks or synthetic blends — these trap heat and moisture, which worsens eczema.
Do dead sea salt foot soaks actually help eczema on feet?
Yes, dead sea salt foot soaks are one of the most effective home remedies for eczema on feet. Dead sea salt contains magnesium, calcium, zinc, and potassium, which help reduce inflammation, fight bacteria, and replenish skin moisture. Soaking 3 times per week in warm water with half a cup of dead sea salt can noticeably speed up healing between flare-ups.
Can eczema on feet be cleared permanently?
It depends. While finding the right shoes helps manage day-to-day comfort, clearing eczema on feet long-term requires addressing the root cause. Eczema is typically driven by a combination of gut health, diet, stress, and environmental triggers. Working with a holistic eczema coach to identify and eliminate your personal triggers is the most effective path to lasting relief.
Let’s Walk on Clouds Togethers
You don’t have to live with feet eczema forever.
Finding the best shoes for eczema on feet is a short term solution.
While you do that and make your life comfortable, let’s work on a long term solution together.
Together, we can figure out how to help you clear your skin and support your body.
Clear Your Feet Eczema Skin = Walk pain free and confidently
It takes hard work but it’s worth it!
First start by consuming all my other helpful blog posts here at everythingeczema.ca!
I’ve gone through eczema and topical withdrawal symptoms…so you could say I know a couple of things ????.
Lastly, when you are ready, Book Your Eczema Reset Chat below to learn more about the Holistic Eczema Reset Program.
It’s one of the most supportive, patient, empathetic and skin clearing coaching programs you will ever join.