Dry skin, also called xerosis or asteatosis, is especially prevalent in winter and in areas with cold, dry air. Dry skin is found most often on the arms and legs, but can be found on other spots on the body. The University of Iowa Health Care's website says dry skin can be itchy and lead to scratching that will cause the skin to thicken and become rough. It might eventually crack, resulting in pain and usually requiring a visit to the dermatologist. This type of thick, rough skin is common on the heels of the feet, which can be one of the driest parts of the body.
Identification and Causes
Dry heels are characterized by thin cracks and flaky appearance along the edge of the heel. According to DermNet NZ, this can be caused by conditions like atopic dermatitis, plantar dermatosis, psoriasis, palmoplantar keratoderma and other systemic conditions causing dry skin, like diabetes and hypothyroidism. The University of Iowa Health Care's website says the outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, is a mixture of dead skin cells and natural oils and is responsible for keeping water inside the body. When this layer loses protective oils, it shrinks as it dries out, causing small cracks to form and exposing underlying cells to germs and irritating substances in the environment.
Misconceptions
The stratum corneum must remain moist and contain enough protective oils to stay supple and protect the underlying cells. Many people believe that soaking dry heels in water, especially hot water, will help the skin soften and soak up water to become moist again, but hot, soapy water actually can worsen the dry skin by further removing oils, says the University of Iowa Health Care's website. You should take short baths or showers, no longer than 10 minutes in a 24-hour period. Longer baths can be very relaxing but also can strip your skin of necessary oils, increasing dryness. When drying off with a towel, pat your body dry rather than rubbing it vigorously. This allows moisture to stay on your skin.
Considerations
Keep your home warm and make sure the air is moist. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Clinical Practice Guidelines, the stratum corneum hydration decreases with lower temperatures and might decrease further if the level of humidity in the room decreases. Air conditioning during summer and sitting close to a heater or fireplace during winter can cause skin to dry out, so consider using alternate forms of heating and cooling your home, or make sure you have a humidifier working year-round to combat the dry air.
Solutions
After showering and patting your feet dry, apply an oil, ointment or moisturizer to the skin of your heels to help seal in the moisture and relieve the dry skin. Niika Quistgard of the Yoga Journal says rubbing a natural oil like safflower or sesame oil on your heels can be very moisturizing. She also says a potion of almond meal, which contains fatty acids, and warm water can be rubbed into the skin to increase moisture and exfoliate the skin's surface.
Warnings
Don't wear shoes without a back, as these provide very little support to your heal and can cause increased cracking of the heels. According to DermNet NZ, prolonged standing, especially on hard floors, and obesity can lead to the cracking of calluses on the heels. Make sure you are not allergic to any of the oils or ingredients in the ointments or moisturizers you use to coat your heels. If you are not sure, test a small amount on the inside of your arm and allow it to stay on for 24 hours before applying it to larger portions of your body.
Member Comments