Companies that make detox foot pads claim their products --- adhesive pads treated with vinegar and various natural ingredients --- will eliminate toxic substances from your body when worn on the bottoms of your feet overnight. Some detox foot pad companies even claim their products can treat various diseases, including chronic skin diseases like psoriasis. However, no scientific evidence has proven the safety or effectiveness of these products.
Claims
Psoriasis is just one of many health conditions that manufacturers and distributors of detox foot pad products claim to treat. Others include high blood pressure, depression, acne and obesity. Some makers don't claim their products will treat or cure any disease but say the natural vinegar, herbs and mineral ingredients in their foot pads work by drawing out disease-causing toxins in the body, such as heavy metals. After wearing a foot pad overnight, its darkened color is supposed to reflect the toxins that have been eliminated from your body through your feet.
Effects
Despite the health claims of detox foot pad companies, no scientific studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of these products to detox the body or treat psoriasis or any other condition. In fact, a 2008 investigation conducted by ABC's 20/20 news show indicated just the opposite. Investigators found that a well-known detox foot pad product darkened when used overnight but that dropping distilled water on the pads produced the same effect. Furthermore, laboratory tests showed that the used foot pads contained no significant amounts of heavy metals. In 2009, the Federal Trade Commission fined the company that makes the Kinoki pads $14.5 million for deceptive advertising.
Expert Insight
According to consumer advocate Stephen Barrett, M.D., products which claim to detoxify the body through the skin, such as detox foot pads and detox foot baths, defy the scientific facts of human physiology and should be regarded as fakes. Real detoxification of foreign substances takes place in the liver and kidneys, after which the toxins are excreted in urine. Sweat glands in the feet and other parts of the body may excrete a small amount of unwanted substances, but applying foot pads produces no additional results, according to Barrett.
Psoriasis Treatments
There is no cure for psoriasis, although some treatments may offer relief. Some topical treatments for psoriasis include topical corticosteroids and retinoids to reduce inflammation, creams with vitamin D to slow the growth of skin cells and coal tar to reduce scaling and itching. Ultraviolet light therapy, including exposure to sunlight, may also improve psoriasis symptoms. Sufferers of severe psoriasis may be prescribed oral or injected medications such as retinoids or immunomodulator drugs, although these treatments often are a last resort as they can produce significant side effects, including severe liver damage and cancer.
Alternatives
Many alternative medicine therapies claim to treat psoriasis, although many haven't been proven effective. However, unlike detox foot pads, which have not been tested for safety, some other types of alternative medicine for psoriasis have been deemed safe and may improve symptoms such as itching and scaling. According to MayoClinic.com, some safe and potentially helpful alternative medicine therapies for psoriasis include creams with aloe vera extract, capsaicin cream made from chili pepper extract and oral supplements of fish oil. Consult your health care provider before beginning any alternative treatment for your psoriasis.
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