I’m a midfoot striker and I run a lot. I just got back from a 7 miler and the only part of me that’s not fine is the skin on the bottom of my feet. There aren’t any blisters; it’s just peeling like crazy, and during the run, stabbing pains shot through the bottoms of my feet (presumably because of the damage being caused to the skin).
What can I do to alleviate the pain?
How deep and how large an area?
Are you wearing your usual socks?
Are your shoes wet?
Different terrain?
Have you always been a midfoot striker or have you recently tried to change your stride/form in any way?
For the pain, maybe an antiseptic wash that contains a topical anesthetic.
It’s almost the entire forefoot - the area around the balls of my feet.
I’m wearing my usual socks … cheap cotton socks.
My shoes are dry.
Terrain: sidewalk. I always run on sidewalks.
I’ve always been a midfoot striker. No stride changes or form changes recently.
There isn’t any pain after the run. It’s just during the run pains shoot through the bottom of my foot, presumably because with each foot strike the skin is being peeled off my foot bit by bit. Is there some way to prevent peeling? The bottom of my feet definitely did not look as bad (skin peeling) before the run as they do now.
Cotton does become abrasive when wet but you indicate you always wear cotton. Still might try some acrylic or wool.
it’s possible you’ve started overstriding a bit without noticing. Check the wear pattern on your soles.
Maybe athlete’s foot? Any itching?
I always wear cotton and this pain i describe has always been an issue to varying extents. It’s just today that after running 7 and walking/running another 9 that this issue became especially problematic. Thanks! Will be checking out non cotton socks.
I’d need to know your IQ and your SAT scores first. 
Go with SmartWool or a similar brand – Merrill makes a great wool running sock that is thinner on the top and cushioned on the bottom.