Though foot dryness is common, there are times when this condition causes pain and discomfort. People with extremely dry feet often suffer from red or flaky skin patches , and find that the skin around their feet is peeling, itchy and cracking. It's important to know what causes really bad dry feet to determine whether medical attention is necessary.
Athlete's Foot
Dry, scaly foot skin is often the result of athlete's foot, a fungal infection that thrives in moist, warm areas. People with sweaty feet, who wear plastic-lined closed shoes, or keep their feet wet for long periods are at high risk for this fungus. Athlete's foot sufferers often experience pain, oozing and itching, along with flaking or peeling between their toes. The National Institutes of Health and National Library of Medicine website MedlinePlus recommends over-the-counter antifungal powders or cream to treat athlete's foot and advises people to keep their feet, socks and shoes clean and dry.
Diabetes
Diabetes causes damage to the nerves that control the amount of oil and moisture in the foot. As a result, diabetics often experience cracked and peeling skin around their feet. To prevent dryness from becoming extreme, the American Diabetes Association recommends drying feet after bathing and following up promptly with a thick skin moisturizer or a coat of petroleum jelly. Diabetics must take care to avoid putting cream between the toes. This extra moisture can cause infection.
Aging
Over time, the body's sweat and oil glands fail to produce as much moisture as they did during youth. As a result, the skin becomes dryer, thinner and more apt to peel, itch or crack. Hands and feet are not exempt from this process, although people with oily skin fare better than those with normal or dry skin. The AGS Foundation for Health in Aging advises dry foot sufferers to apply a layer of petroleum jelly-based moisturizer to the feet and cover them with thin cotton socks before bedtime.
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