Despite the existence and wide availability of body moisturizers and physical exfoliators, such as pumice stones, thirty percent of Americans say they suffer from dry, scaly, rough feet. It is no wonder so many feet are affected considering the wear and tear put on them A person walks over 75,000 miles in the course of an average lifetime. The feet carry the load of your entire body weight and are continuously exposed to unfriendly environmental elements such as drying heat or harsh cold weather.
The following are two common complaints:
Calluses are thickening of the skin on the heels or bottoms of feet. They may be dry, yellowish and layered, or even scaly, and they may peel. In severe cases, the skin cracks.
The thickened skin of calluses is the body’s defense against friction and/or pressure on portions of the foot. This can be caused by poor-fitting shoes or sock/stockings: too tight and the foot is squeezed, too loose and the foot slides around. In addition, straps or seams that rub against the feet will create problems. Calluses can be caused by going barefoot on certain surfaces, or by abnormalities in the gait (motion of the foot while walking).
Other conditions can be similar in appearance to calluses. For example, certain infections can cause the skin to appear thicker. In addition, a deep fissure (crack) in the skin, anywhere on the body, can indicate a more serious condition, and should be treated professionally. Diabetics in particular should consult their healthcare professional.
What you can do:
Xerosis is the medical term for dry skin.The skin on the feet can become uncomfortably dry, rough and unsightly. The skin is the largest organ of the body and acts as a barrier to keep out environmental contaminants and to keep in water and nutrients. The skin is made up of 3 distinct layers. From the outside in, the layers are epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous hypodermis. All three layers require adequate hydration to protect the underlying structures. The water content of the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the epidermis, has an important role in the skin’s elasticity. A water content of less than 10% results in scaling and cracking which predisposes the skin to irritation. As the skin loses elasticity, it becomes less resistant to trauma, leading to epidermal breakdown and possibly, infection. As the protective barrier breaks down, exposure to environmental factors can lead to more serious skin disorders.
Any number of factors can cause dryness of the feet, including washing with excessively hot water, showering or bathing more than once a day or for long periods of time. Environmental factors such as excessive sun exposure and pollutants in the air can damage the skin. Dry skin is often a problem in cooler climates, especially during winter months when home heating systems are used regularly. This unhumidified heat is dry and draws moisture from the skin. Outdoors, cold winter air causes the body to protect itself by drawing blood away from the skin. When this occurs, the skin is not well nourished and xerosis can result.
Diabetes or vascular problems can mimic this condition, as can certain infections, so those in doubt should consult their podiatrist or doctor.
What you can do:
