The simple remedies for dry skin on feet include regular exfoliation, moisturization, and soaking. These treatment procedures will also assist in getting rid of calluses and dead skin tissues as well as preventing them from reoccurring.
Cracked and dry skin are common among people nowadays, these skin areas have fewer oil glands than other parts of your skin and are under constant exposure to everyday wear and tear. Did you know you can get rid of dry skin on your feet by using simple home treatment procedures? Dry skin will mostly appear around your heels, between your toes and sides of your feet. The dry areas may make your skin feel tight, itchy or you may experience pain. Pain is rare unless you’re suffering from skin complications such as eczema and athlete’s foot.
Causes of Dry Skin on Feet
Why do I Have Dry Feet?
Here’s a list of common factors that can lead to dry feet:
Lack of moisture Causes Sole Crack
Cracked, dry and scaly skin is common around the sole and heel since there are fewer oil glands within these parts in comparison to other parts of the body. Lack of moisture is the leading factor for cracked soles and heels. Another reason the skin under your feet is normally chapped, rough and dry is due to the relative small number of sweat glands. Individuals with dry skin normally suffer from cracked skin surface as well because of reduced skin elasticity that comes about as a result of different factors such as:
Skin Irritation Causes Cracked Skin
Long periods of standing still or ill-fitting footwear may apply constant pressure on your heel, balls of the feet and soles, you can also experience irritation on your skin. The ripple effect is your skin ends up with calluses, cracked and dry.
Humid and hot Environment Causes Cracks on Feet
Closed footwear such as boots and sneakers create hot and humid surrounding for your feet. These two factors draw moisture from your skin which may result in thick, dry and cracks on your feet.
Chemicals from Soaps Draw Moisture From Your Feet
Both body washes and soaps may contain irritants and chemicals that may draw moisture from your skin. If you fail to wash excess soap from your feet or dry them properly, you will likely end up with cracks on your feet.
Aging Skin is Drier
As you get older, your skin will lose its innate ability to maintain water hence it will become less thick and reduce in suppleness. Older individuals will likely suffer from more dry conditions due to the body’s natural process of aging.
Medications May Cause Dry Feet
Certain medicines such as diuretics may result in dry skin on feet. Here are other skin conditions that may have dry feet symptoms:
- Athlete’s Foot is a fungal contamination which results in a flaky rash beneath your feet as well as between your toes.
- There a group of skin complications that result in skin inflammation, aka Eczema. Individuals may develop eczema on any part of their body. Some of the common symptoms of the skin disease are crusty, itchy and dry skin patches.
- There is a rare chronic autoimmune complication known as psoriasis that leads to the formation of thick flaky skin patches. Individuals may develop patches of psoriasis on different body parts and the feet is a common area.
- Individuals that suffer from hypothyroidism can develop extremely dry feet due to their thyroid gland failing to regulate sweat glands in the feet which is a major cause of dryness.
- Neuropathy is a case of damaged peripheral nerves that results from uncontrolled cases of diabetes. Neuropathy may impact the nerves that control moisture and oil in your feet, and this will likely result in cracking and drying up of feet.
Best Remedies for Dry Skin on the Feet
8 Essential Tips For Dry Skin Treatment
Naturally, dead cells on skin surface drop off and they’re replaced with new and younger cells. If you fail to get rid of the dead cells accumulating, you will end up with a thick, flaky skin patch on your feet. As time goes by, dry parts on the skin, especially around the heels crack and thicken. If your heels crack, you will be prone to infection, calloused feet on the other end will make walking uncomfortable. Below are some of the best ways to treat dry skin and remove dead skin from the feet.
Exfoliate to Remove Dry Skin on Your Feet
You can remove dry skin surface layer by using either a chemical or physical exfoliator. Here are some of the physical exfoliators:
- body brushes
- foot scrubs
- electronic callus removers
Chemical Exfoliators For Dry Skin
- You can purchase foot scrubs or create your own DIY remedy through a mixture of sugar, honey, and warm water.
- Chemical exfoliators will be available as either lotion or liquid. They are made up of cell dissolving ingredients that occurs on the surface of your skin, these components include, lactic, alpha-hydroxy and glycolic acid.
- One of the common chemical exfoliators is foot peels that are designed specifically for use on your feet.
- There are foot peels that are made up of alcohol and artificial fragrances that may result in skin irritation, it’s therefore important that you check the list of ingredients to see if there is an irritant or allergens before you buy a foot peel.
- If you’re looking for a mild peel, use chemical exfoliators that have the label ‘safe for facial use’.
Use a Foot Soak To Get Rid of Dry Skin
A foot soak can be made of different type of ingredients like Epsom salt and oatmeal.
- Dipping your feet inside lukewarm water will assist in loosening and soothing dry skin, simultaneously boosting the circulation of blood to your feet that leads to recurrence of the dry skin surface.
- Add some vinegar to your foot soak to assist in treating mild cases of athlete’s foot. Vinegar contains antibacterial features that assist is disinfecting your feet as well as getting rid of foot odor.
- Here are some of the ingredients you should consider adding to your DIY foot soak: Epsom salt, lemon juice, peppermint essential oil, oatmeal, and honey.
Can You Use Pumice Stone on Dry Feet?
You can use a metal file or pumice stone to get rid of dry skin, corns and calluses on your feet. If you develop pain while using either the foot file or the stone, stop immediately. The following guidelines will assist you to follow the correct way of removing your dry skin.
- Dip your feet in lukewarm water to soften the thick dry skin.
- Pour warm water on the file or pumice stone.
- Next, softly scrub the pumice stone against your dry skin, callus or corn. Rub in a circular motion, alternate with gentle front and back motions.
- Wash off the loose dead skin from your feet.
- You can repeat the third step until you achieve the results you want.
- After rinsing your feet, dab them dry using a clean towel.
- Finally, apply oil, lotion or cream to your foot to keep it moisturized.
Does Paraffin wax Help With Dry Feet?
Plenty of nail salons provide an after service of paraffin wax when you go for a pedicure treatment.
- This type of wax is soft and melts at a medium temperature of 51°C, therefore the wax doesn’t irritate or burn your skin surface.
- You might as well carry out a paraffin wax treatment by yourself through the use of a DIY paraffin wax bath or alternatively melt the wax in a pan and transfer it to a bucket you can dip your feet in.
- Soak your feet inside the wax many times during the paraffin wax procedure.
- Once multiple layers of wax cover your feet, cover your feet with plastic.
- Wait for the wax to harden before you remove the wax.
- When you’re peeling off the wax you’ll notice dry, dead skin peeling off as well. You will feet your feet soften afterward.
Caution When Using Paraffin Wax on Your Feet
Avoid using this treatment if:
- Your blood circulation is poor
- There’s an open sore or skin rash on your feet
- Your feet are numb due to neuropathy which is a condition that manifests when you leave diabetes untreated.
When performing paraffin wax treatment at home, be careful and check the temperature of the wax using a candy thermometer.
What Can I use to Scrub My Feet?
Most drug stores and pharmacies sell various over- the- counter foot scrubs, you need to buy one that has a rough surface that will assist in remove dry and dead skin.
How to Use a DIY Foot Scrub
- You create a DIY foot scrub, dilute 2 tbsp of sea salt into equal parts of lemon juice and baby oil.
- Place the foot scrub on the dry surface and scrub gently while hole the scrub in your palm. Using a foot scrub brush and a sponge will assist in getting rid of dry skin.
- Afterward, wash off thoroughly using lukewarm water.
DIY Oatmeal Foot Scrub
Did you know oatmeal has more use than just an essential part of a healthy diet, turn your oatmeal into a home exfoliator to remove dry skin.
How To use Oatmeal Mask For Your Feet
- You create a DIY foot scrub, dilute 2 tbsp of sea salt into equal parts of lemon juice and baby oil.
- Place the foot scrub on the dry surface and scrub gently while hole the scrub in your palm. Using a foot scrub brush and a sponge will assist in getting rid of dry skin.
- Afterward, wash off thoroughly using lukewarm water.
