What causes dry, cracked foot skin, and what can you do to treat it?
Introduction
It is not uncommon for people to have dry, rough, or cracked skin on their feet. The feet are one of the areas of the body that undergo the most wear and regular tear while having fewer oil glands than other body parts. Individuals can use several common household items to alleviate the discomfort caused by dry skin on their feet.
The skin on the heels, sides, between the toes of the foot, and between the toes frequently becomes dry. It could cause the affected area to feel itchy and tight and even cause pain. Even while it could be annoying, this is not likely to cause any harm.
Using foot soaks, moisturizers, and exfoliating your feet regularly can help minimize dry skin on the feet, eliminate areas of dead skin and calluses, and stop them from coming back.
Causes
A shortage of water or moisture. It is especially common to find dry, cracked, and peeling skin on the heel and sole because these areas contain fewer oil glands than the skin on other body parts.
Irritation. If you stand for too long or if your shoes do not fit properly, you could apply persistent pressure on certain parts of your foot, which could cause friction on the skin. Consequently, the skin in various parts of the foot may become dry, calloused, or cracked.
Heat and muggy air. You subject your feet to a highly hot and humid atmosphere when you wear closed shoes, such as sneakers or boots. Because heat and humidity cause moisture to be drawn from the skin, they can cause areas on the foot to become dry, thick, or cracked.
Soaps. Harsh chemicals and irritants can remove moisture from the skin using soaps and body washes containing them. These issues might also be brought on by a failure to remove extra soap from the feet after washing them.
Aging. As time passes, the ability of the skin to retain water is diminished, resulting in a reduction in
What causes dry, cracked foot skin, and what can you do to treat it?
Medications. Dry skin on the foot can be a side effect of certain drugs, including diuretics.
It is also possible that a medical condition like those listed here could cause dry skin on foot.
Athlete's foot. An athlete's foot is a fungal infection that manifests as a scaly rash on the bottom of the foot and in the spaces between the toes.
Eczema. Eczema is the name given to a set of disorders that lead to skin inflammation. Eczema is a skin condition that can appear anywhere on a person's body. Dry, crusty, or itchy patches of skin are typical manifestations of the skin condition known as eczema.
Psoriasis. Psoriasis is a persistent autoimmune illness that develops in large skin regions covered in rough scales. Psoriatic patches can appear virtually everywhere on a person's body, including on their feet.
Hypothyroidism. People with hypothyroidism are at an increased risk of developing excessively dry feet because their thyroid gland cannot properly control the sweat glands in their feet, which can cause the feet to become dry.
Diabetes. Living with diabetes that is not under control can cause a condition known as neuropathy, which is damage to the nerves in the extremities. Neuropathy can affect the nerves in the feet responsible for regulating oil and moisture, which can result in the feet being dry or cracked.
Treatments
The skin's surface is constantly regenerating new cells to replace the cells that have died and fallen off. People can develop thick, flaky areas on their feet if they do not regularly remove the buildup of dead skin cells.
Dry patches on the skin, particularly on the heels, have the potential to thicken and crack with time. Cracks in the heels expose the foot to the risk of infection, and thick calluses can make walking difficult or even painful.
Exfoliation
Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the skin's surface. This can be done mechanically, using a physical exfoliant such as a loofah or brush, or chemically, using an acidic solution. Exfoliation is important as it helps to keep the skin looking fresh and radiant and also helps to prevent clogged pores and breakouts.
Warm water helps to relax and loosen dry skin on the body, and soaking the feet in warm water improves blood circulation to the feet, which can help prevent dry skin in the future.
A foot soak containing a trace amount of vinegar may be beneficial in treating milder cases of athlete's foot. Vinegar, which contains potent antibacterial qualities, may help disinfect the feet and even eliminate the smell of smelly feet.
Pumice Stone
A pumice stone is a natural volcanic rock formed when hot lava cools quickly. It has a unique structure making it perfect for exfoliating and removing dead skin cells. When used on the skin, it helps slog away dead skin and reveal softer, smoother skin underneath.
Pumice stones are often used on the feet to remove calluses and dry, dead skin. They can also be used on the face and body to exfoliate and smooth rough, dry skin. Pumice stones should be used cautiously, as they can be too abrasive for sensitive skin types.
Moisturize
If you moisturize your feet consistently, you can alleviate the dry skin that is already there and stop the accumulation of new dry skin. After using an exfoliator or a pumice stone on the feet, applying a moisturizer to the skin will help the skin retain more moisture.
Conclusion
In conclusion, dry, cracked foot skin can be caused by several things, including walking barefoot, not wearing socks, and not moisturizing your feet. However, you can do a few things to treat dry, cracked foot skin, including using a foot cream or lotion, soaking your feet in the water, and using a pumice stone.
