Foot Care for Dry Feet” – The Struggle Is Real!
Why does nothing get rid of my dry skin??
One thing we see in our clinic time and time again, is dry skin on feet.
Often, when people come to see us with this problem, they have tried lots of things to improve the quality and appearance of the skin on their feet, especially around the heels, much of the time with little or no success.
So, if you have tried all sorts of foot creams, skin peels, pedicures, then this blog is for you!
Firstly, don’t give up hope! If you’ve tried multiple methods for dry feet treatment without success, Visiting a Podiatrist is a great place to start.
Dry, hard skin on feet has many different causes, so if you have tried all sorts and nothing has helped, getting the diagnosis right first is important.
A lot of the time, chronic dry, peeling, hard skin has an underlying cause. This can include friction, eczema, psoriasis, fungal infections, and some health conditions such as hypothyroidism.
When you visit a Podiatrist, they will take a full medical and Podiatric history to try to identify the cause of the problem. Podiatrists, (or Pods as we call ourselves sometimes!), are trained to recognise and treat lots of common skin problems.
Dry Feet Causes
One of the main causes of chronic dry skin (that doesn’t improve after using moisturising creams regularly or having pedicures to soften and remove the skin), that we see in clinic is actually a fungal infection. Yes, that’s good old Athlete’s Foot. It’s one of the most common things we see in clinic and deal with on a daily basis. In clinic, we can identify fungal infections, and even test for them in clinic. Once we’ve got the right diagnosis, we can supply antifungal creams and provide a treatment plan to get your skin in tip top condition again.
If you're searching for the best way to remove hard skin from feet or want to get rid of hard skin on feet, professional evaluation is key. An accurate diagnosis will help us to provide a treatment plan to effectively address your dry skin issues.
So, if happy feet with happy skin is what you are after, then we can certainly help!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A podiatrist can:
1. Assess and Diagnose: Identify the underlying cause of dry feet through a thorough examination.
2. Prescribe Treatments: Recommend medicated creams, ointments, or lotions to hydrate and repair the skin.
3. Debride Calluses: Remove thickened, dead skin to promote healthy skin growth.
4. Recommend Footwear: Suggest appropriate shoes and socks that promote moisture retention and skin health.
5. Advise on Foot Care Routine: Provide tips on proper foot hygiene and moisturizing practices.
The underlying cause of dry feet can include:
1. Environmental Factors: Exposure to cold weather, low humidity, or prolonged standing.
2. Skin Conditions: Eczema, psoriasis, or other dermatological issues.
3. Medical Conditions: Diabetes, hypothyroidism, or peripheral artery disease.
4. Improper Footwear: Wearing non-breathable shoes or socks.
5. Aging: Natural loss of skin elasticity and moisture with age.
Dry feet can be a symptom of:
1. Dehydration: Inadequate water intake.
2. Medical Conditions: Diabetes, hypothyroidism, or circulatory issues.
3. Skin Disorders: Eczema or psoriasis.
4. Poor Foot Hygiene: Infrequent washing or moisturizing.
Podiatrists typically recommend using thick, emollient-rich moisturizing creams or ointments; soaking feet in warm water with Epsom salt; gently exfoliating to remove dead skin cells; wearing breathable, supportive shoes and moisture-wicking socks; and mild, moisturizing cleansers to prevent further drying.
Anna Conway
BSc (Hons), MCPod, SRCh, PGcert Podiatry
Owner, Lead Podiatrist