Anyone can get dry feet. In fact, compared to the skin on the rest of our body, the skin on our feet is actually naturally dry. Our feet has no oil glands and it is the sweat glands on the feet that keep its skin moisturized. For people who do not take the time to regularly moisturize their feet, dry feet can start becoming a problem. So you better make sure that moisturizing your feet is a part of your daily skin care regimen. Although everyone can get dry feet, senior people and those with a medical condition such as diabetes and athlete’s foot are more prone to getting it.
Cases of dry feet can range from mild, temporary dry skin, to severe dry skin. There are a number of reasons why dry feet happens and luckily there are ways to prevent the skin on your feet from drying as well.
Causes of Dry Feet
When your feet are dry this is due to a lack in moisture. There are still a number of factors that can cause dry feet. These are some of the factors that cause the skin on your feet to dry out.- Excessively hot baths or showers
- Non-moisturizing soaps
- Eczema, psoriasis and other skin conditions that dries up the skin
- Medical conditions like diabetes or thyroid disease
- Cold temperature
- Dry air or low humidity
- Too much time under the sun
Symptoms of Dry Feet
In general, dry feet is actually a symptom of another problem. If the skin on your feet is dry, these are some of the other symptoms that you may experience.- Itchiness and redness
- Cracks or fissures in the feet
- Rough and flaky skin
- Peeling skin
- Rash, which is usually caused by itching
- Worsening of the problem when the colder months hit
Treating Dry Feet
To treat dry feet, the underlying cause must be addressed. There are some people who naturally have dry skin and if you are one of these people, you must take extra measures to esure that your feet are moisturized at all times. To solve dry feet, therapeutic oils, ointments, and creams are commonly used. Lotions are usually not are an ideal treatment for dry feet since most of them contain alcohol, which can further dry out the skin. Here’s how you should treat your dry feet at home.- Use a moisturizing soap.
- Moisturize your feet after a shower or bath and before going to bed.
- Drink enough water everyday to keep your body hydrated.