If you suffer from dry skin on your feet, you are not alone. This is a common problem, as we often forget regular foot care because our feet are hidden from view for most of the day.
Dry skin sometimes occurs on the fleshy balls of the feet, and more frequently, on the heels. Without treatment, the skin around the heel thickens, turns yellow and cracks. In serious cases, the heel will become very painful, and even bleed.
Fortunately, it is usually possible to restore the feet to a healthy condition at home without medical intervention.
Step 1
Bathe your feet. Before you use the pumice stone, you need to give your feet a relaxing soak to soften the skin. Either fill a bowl with warm water or enjoy a soothing session in the bathtub. Do not overdo it to the point that the skin becomes waterlogged and wrinkly.
Step 2
Dry your feet completely. This will prevent the cracks in your skin from getting deeper and will also help to ward off other foot infections, such as athlete's foot.
Dip the pumice stone into water, and gently rub at the affected areas by using small circular movements. Take care not to scrape the skin harshly. You will probably need several sessions to remove all the dry skin, so don’t attempt to scour it all away at once.
Step 3
Massage your feet with petroleum jelly. This should be applied directly before you go to bed. Rub all parts of your feet liberally with petroleum jelly, and immediately put the cotton socks on to prevent the grease from the petroleum jelly from making contact with furnishings.
As you sleep, the petroleum jelly will soak into your feet and hydrate the skin. When you remove the socks in the morning, you will find all the petroleum jelly has been absorbed, leaving your feet feeling noticeably smoother and silkier to touch.
Step 4
Repeat every other night. The treatment should be repeated every few days, until the dry skin has disappeared. When your feet have been restored to a healthy state, repeat the treatment once a week to prevent the fissures from returning.
Tips and Warnings
- Pumice stones can be found at any drugstore, pharmacy or general store selling foot care products. These stones are often gray and slightly abrasive to the touch. Dry skin occurs when the skin is not sufficiently hydrated. Avoid soaking feet in boric acid or epsom salts, as the salt can make the skin drier and contribute to the problem. Avoid going barefoot or wearing open-backed sandals for extended periods. Although this type of footwear allows the feet to breathe, the lack of support can cause heel fissures and cracked skin.
- If you have diabetes or any medical condition that may affect your circulation, consult your medical practitioner if the skin on your feet becomes dry or cracked. Diabetes sufferers commonly experience foot problems due to a loss of feeling and may not notice when a small sore or cut occurs. This can cause infection and have serious consequences. If you are diabetic and unable to perform a regular foot check yourself, consult a professional to check your feet at frequent intervals. If your dry skin is causing you a lot of pain or is bleeding extensively, do not try to rectify the problem yourself. Consult with your health care provider or a podiatrist.
Things You'll Need
- Pumice stone
- Petroleum jelly
- Cotton socks
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