Cold weather, central heating and tight-fitting shoes can all cause the skin on your feet to dry and crack, leading to unsightly and painful feet. Obesity and prolonged standing puts excess weight on your feet, leading to further dryness, and athlete's foot, thyroid disease and diabetes can exacerbate the problem. The only way to cure dry feet is to care for them regularly. You'll be surprised by the changes a little love and attention can bring.
Causes
Although people most commonly experience dry skin in winter, wearing open shoes or walking barefoot in summer can also be detrimental to your skin's integrity. The chlorine in swimming pools and harsh soaps and detergents can strip the moisture from your skin, notes MayoClinic.com, and the sun's rays can also lead to dry skin.
Avoid Dry Feet
Prevention is always better than a cure, so spend five to 10 minutes bathing in lukewarm water daily. Any longer may cause the skin to dry out, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Get rid of dried skin by using a pumice stone or similar device regularly, and avoid wearing socks made from rough material, such as wool, which irritate the skin. If your job involves standing for long periods of time, take the weight off your feet regularly, and maintain a healthy weight. When lying with the soles of your feet exposed to the sun, remember to wear sunscreen.
Treat Dry Feet
Moisturizer is the key to fixing dried skin, and AAD advises using creams and ointments rather than lotions. Apply within three minutes of bathing to lock in the moisture, but for extremely dry feet, use an oil-based moisturizer before drying. Pat dry and then use your normal moisturizer, but don't apply moisturizer between your toes, as fungal infections are attracted to warm, moist areas.
Home Remedies
Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Apply raw honey to your feet and wear socks in bed to soften the skin and heal cracks. Make a mask for your feet by mixing lemon juice and papaya; apply to the feet and rinse after 20 minutes. Apply ripe banana pulp or banana skin to cracked feet to speed up healing, or apply crushed onion to the area for 20 minutes, securing in place with a bandage.
Complications
If you do not care adequately for your feet, dry skin can exacerbate skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Deep cracks and fissures are open to bacterial invasion, putting you at risk of cellulitis, a potentially dangerous bacterial infection, warns MayoClinic.com. Seek medical advice if you are unable to treat your dry skin effectively.
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