Dry skin on my feet

Dry feet are a very common problem and most people are bothered by it, especially during summer. Feet are particularly prone to dryness and rough, cracked skin because the skin there contains less sebaceous glands than other parts of the body, so the feet receive less natural moisture. In addition, wearing sandals and flip flops or going barefoot exposes the skin to dirt, dust and dry air, which aggravates the dryness.

Introduction

Dry feet are usually nothing more than a cosmetic issue. Women are particularly bothered by it, because no matter how pretty their shoes are, if the skin is dry and cracked, the feet will not look attractive. On the other hand, severely dry, rough and cracked skin can be very painful and the cracks can even start bleeding, exposing the underlying tissues to infection, such as athlete’s foot.

In some cases dry feet are a result or a symptom of an underlying medical condition, but more commonly the reason behind them is improper foot care. Fortunately, this problem can be fixed very easily, using simple home remedies or over-the-counter and drugstore products.

Treatment for dry feet

Because dry feet lack moisture, it is logical that the skin there should be treated with a good quality moisturizer. However, before applying the moisturizer, it is recommended to scrub the feet with pumice to remove the layers of dead skin. After this exfoliation, the moisturizer, Vaseline or petroleum jelly should be applied in generous amount and the feet should be dressed in cotton socks.

There are also many home remedies that can be easily prepared and applied to dry feet in order to repair them. Epsom salt has many benefits and it seems to be very helpful for very dry and rough feet. It is recommended to soak the feet in a solution of Epsom salt and lukewarm water for 15 minutes each day. After that, the feet should be scrubbed and moisturized.

Baking soda is also very useful for dry feet. It can be dissolved in some water used for bathing or soaking the feet, or mixed with a small amount of water and turned into a paste that can be topically applied to the most problematic areas.

Olive oil is listed as an ingredient in many cosmetic products designed for dry skin. It can also be used in its natural form, rubbed or massaged into the feet before going to bed.

To prevent dry skin of the feet, it is recommended to wear closed shoes instead of sandals, to avoid going barefoot, to use lukewarm water for bathing and showering and to apply moisturizer on daily basis.