Feet take a lot of abuse. As they accumulate dirt from the ground and harden as a result of the constant pressure placed upon them, the skin can gradually become coarse, leaving behind layers of cracked, dead remains. You can try removing this dead skin by scrubbing your feet in the shower, but to really remove dead, cracked skin, soap and water alone will not cut it.
Step 1
Soak your feet in warm water for at least 15 minute. Alternately, you can take a 15-minute bath in warm water. This process softens the skin on your feet and enables you to more easily remove the dead skin. Do this before going to bed.
Step 2
Remove your feet from the warm water and begin scraping the dead skin with a pumice stone. If not used carefully, a pumice stone may cut your feet, so always move the stone back and forth, never in circular motions, to loosen the dead skin from your feet. By soaking your feet first, you minimize the potential for cutting yourself.
Step 3
Cover your feet with petroleum jelly. After scraping with a pumice stone, the skin on your feet will be exposed and potentially vulnerable to infection. The petroleum jelly creates a protective layer while the skin heals. Put on a pair of socks and go to sleep.
Step 4
Rinse away the petroleum jelly with a warm, damp cloth when you wake up in the morning. Repeat these steps every night for one week, or until all dead skin disappears and the feet return to their natural, smooth condition.
Tips and Warnings
- After removing all of the dead skin, prevent new dead skin from accumulating by scrubbing your feet each day with a pumice stone. With the dead skin removed, you will not need to scrap the surface of your feet as harshly, and you will not need to apply petroleum jelly. Just scrub briefly each day for routine maintenance.
- If you have dried skin on your feet due to calluses, contact your health care provider immediately. Calluses can turn into foot ulcers or become infected if not removed properly. Calluses appear slightly raised, thick and sensitive to touch, unlike dead skin.
Things You'll Need
- Pumice stone
- Petroleum jelly
- Socks
- Soft cloth
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