Is it athlete's foot?

Q: My 11-year-old daughter’s feet are scaly, peeling, and smell really awful. It started after she joined the swim club. Could she have athlete’s foot? What can we do about it?

A: It is always hard to really tell what is going on with rashes without actually seeing them. Certainly, athlete’s foot is a possibility. This is caused by a fungus, and causes an itchy, sometimes burning, sensation usually between the toes as opposed to the whole foot as you described — but it could be. There are also conditions caused by too much moisture around the feet. If your daughter’s feet are still moist after she’s dressed, this can cause peeling. Of concern is that the “awful smell” might be due to a secondary infection. I think a trip to the doctor is in order.