If you walk around barefoot often, frequently expose your feet to the sun, use certain kinds of lotions, or regularly wear open shoes or sandals, chances are at some point you have developed dry feet.
This can be a very painful experience; dry feet symptoms can range from the mild-the development of scaly skin, to the painful-the rupturing of skin on the heels and soles of your feet. These cracks expose the sensitive tissue beneath the skin, and can make walking extremely painful.
Typical causes of dry feet include:
Overexposure to the sun, arid climates, or other heat sources: If you leave near an area wherein you can walk around outdoors barefoot, be aware that exposure to the sun can cause dry feet.
Overexposure to saltwater:Many people enjoy a trip to the beach or two during the summer. But ocean water can dry out your feet very easily.
Use of sandals or other open shoes: Closed shoes like sneakers or loafers can trap moisture and warmth thusly keeping your feet hydrated. Wearing open shoes can cause your feet to dry out much quicker.
Use of lotions containing heavy amounts of alcohol:Certain lotions containing heavy concentrations of alcohol can dehydrate your feet.
Circulation problems, which can be caused by, among other things, diabetes or smoking: smoking can reduce blood flow to the feet, which can lead to the development of dry feet.
Skin conditions such as eczema, or allergic reactions.
Treating Dry Feet
If you started to notice that the skin on your feet is becoming a little rough, use a pumice stone. Pumice stones are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at many pharmacies and supermarkets, as well as specialty shops specializing in beauty products. To use the stone, dampen both the stone and your feet, and rub the stone very gently across the coarse areas. Rubbing too hard can either break the skin or cause you to remove too much of it. Keep your feet damp as you rub, and rinse your feet again when you are done. To read more about properly using a pumice stone, click here.
If you’ve developed the more painful dry feet symptoms, then you should immediately head for a local pharmacy and pick up an emollient. Personally, I’d recommend Dr. Scholl’s Medicated Cracked Heel Relief Cream, which provided substantial relief within a couple of days.
Avoiding Dry Feet
There are a number of things that you can do to avoid any dry feet symptoms-painful or otherwise. First, after each shower or bath, pat your feet gently until there are damp (not dry) and then smother them with a lotion or petroleum jelly. There are a number of lotions to choose from: I use Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion, which works quite well. Just make sure to avoid lotions with high concentrations of alcohol.
Also, before you sleep, you can wash your feet and coat them in the lotion of your choice. Covering your feet with cotton socks will allow your feet to absorb the moisture with minimal loss while you sleep. Doing this for a few weeks can lead to extremely smooth and soft feet.
Sources
Author unknown, Treatments for Preventing and Healing Dry, Cracked Feet & Heels, Free Beauty Tips
Do You Have Dry Feet?, Barielle
About.com, Treating Cracked Heels, About.com
Cyn Vela, How to Treat and Cure Dry Cracked Heels on Your Feet, eHow
Dry & Cracked Heels, FootSmart
