Why are My Feet so Dry Even When I Moisturize It?

Although having dry feet is incredibly common: it’s frustrating, annoying and embarrassing. Human feet don’t have adequate oil glands compared to other parts of the body. On top of that, daily injustices to the feet and lack of proper care can result in dry skin. Still, wondering, why are my feet so dry even when I moisturize it many times? Continue reading the post to learn more about it

What are the causes of dry skin?

Not paying enough attention to the feet is what most people do. As such, it results in rough, flaky, and dry feet. So, take a moment to check your feet. Besides, there are a few reasons that lead to dry skin.

Cold weather

Cool, dry and windy air quickly dry your skin especially if you don’t really like to apply moisturizer to your feet, unlike your face and hands. Therefore, you can notice small flakes or cracks on your skin around the heel.

2. Athlete’s foot

It’s a condition that affects the areas between your toes. Caused by a certain type of fungal infection, you can experience scaling, pain, burning and itchiness. Athlete’s foot is a serious disease and should be addressed by an expert physician to prevent further spread.

3. Cleaning products

If the soap or shower gel that you use is too harsh, chances are that it will strip the natural oils from your skin. It dries out your skin significantly. Hence, it’s wise to use natural and gentle products with the correct pH.

4. Eczema

It is another serious medical condition that can result in scaly, red, itchy, and dry skin on several areas of your body. And,it includes feet as well. There are moisturisers and topical creams that help manage flare ups.

5. Ageing Skin

Thinner skin is often related to hormonal changes when you age. Moreover, the skin loses fatty cushions and has reduced elasticity that supports the feet. As a result, it can cause your skin to become calloused, saggy, flaky and dry.

6. Diabetes

When you are suffering from diabetes, it causes a significant amount of fluid loss from your body leading to dry skin. Because nerve sensitivity and circulation problems are common, experiencing a painless skin condition could indicate a more serious problem. When left untreated for a long time it can lead to foot ulcers. In extreme cases, a person might even have to undergo amputation.

7. Dehydration

Another great reason for dry feet is when your body doesn’t get enough water to stay hydrated. Keep in mind that internal factors can impact your skin too.

8. Thyroid issues

Apart from hair and nails, the skin is sensitive to thyroid hormone imbalances. Therefore, flaky, scaly and dry skin on the feet indicates that you may suffer from thyroid issues or hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormone imbalances can lead to other several issues such as fertility concern, mental health issues and gastrointestinal problems.

General foot care

If you are suffering from cracked or dry feet you can follow these simple steps to keep your feet healthy while eliminating issues of dry skin.

Exfoliate your feet

When you remove dead skin, it removes the barrier between developing healthy skin cells and aiding healthy skin. The first step of exfoliation starts with your feet soaking into water. Scrubbing your feet without getting them wet or soaking in water damages your skin. Foot exfoliation consists of the following steps.

Place your feet in a basin with a lukewarm soapy water solution for about 20 minutes.
Next use a pumice stone, foot scrubber, and washcloth to remove the thickened or hardened skin. Please do not rub the areas vigorously. Remember that you aren’t trying to remove everything in one shot. That way, you can avoid the risk of breaking the skin.
After that rinse your feet thoroughly and pat them dry gently.

The kind of soap that you are going to use depends on your choice. It is wise to choose mild brands that lower the risk of causing aggravation to your skin. It is also recommended to use Epsom salts or vinegar in small amounts. The idea is to ensure that your skin doesn’t experience irritation of any kind.

2. Keep the moisture intact every day

When you’re done with exfoliating, you have to follow it up with a moisturizer. Applying moisturizer helps the skin to lock in moisture, while reducing the formation of dry skin. If daily exfoliation isn’t your thing, another good time for you to moisturize your feet is after having a shower. This is when your feet become damp and you can scrub lightly with a washcloth.

With that being said, you don’t have to invest in an expensive product to attain better results. In reality, the more additives and fragrances a moisturizer has, it is likely to irritate your skin and make them worse. lnstead, look for products that contain natural ingredients.

Keep in mind that a proper foot cream is better compared to regular body lotion. So, look for ingredients that target dryness and help cell turnover of your feet. For example, Gehwol Soft Feet Cream is a remarkable product because it has many active ingredients including urea. When it comes to breaking down keratin from the skin’s outer layer, urea comes in handy. It helps reduce the buildup of dead skin that encourages dryness while keeping the skin moisturized.

What happens when your feet aren’t moisturized even after regular care?

In that case, you can use a silicone heel protector that allows you to seal the foot that is already moisturized at night. The silicone will make sure that the moisture stays on your feet rather than seeping into the bedsheets.

If you have tried all the steps above and still left with dry feet, you might want to consider setting an appointment with an experienced podiatrist. Dr Dan Geller, a native of NYC and Board Certified for foot and ankle surgeon can help you dealing with this type of foot concern. You can schedule an appointment with him at his private clinic in Los Angeles to find the conditions that trigger your dry feet concern.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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