5 Reasons Why Your Feet May Be Dry

Introduction

If your feet have been neglected recently, take a moment to check your feet. Are they dry, flaky, or rough? There may be a few reasons for this change in skin.

Introduction

Let’s face it, many of us don’t pay much attention to our feet, especially when our feet are covered during the cooler months of the year. It can be easy to detect pain, soreness, or odor, but noticing changes in your skin may take a closer inspection. If your feet have been neglected recently, take a moment to check your feet. Are they dry, flaky, or rough? There may be a few reasons for this change in skin.

What causes dry skin?

1. Dry Air
   Windy, dry, and cool air can quickly dry out your skin, especially if you are not regularly applying moisturizer like you may be doing for your hands and face. You may notice small cracks or flakes on the skin, especially around your heel.
2. Athlete’s Foot
   Athlete’s foot is a skin condition caused by a fungal infection that typically affects the areas between the toes. You can experience itchiness, burning, pain, and scaling, which should be addressed by a podiatrist to prevent further spread and infection.
3. Eczema
   Eczema is a skin condition that can cause dry, itchy, red, scaly skin on multiple areas of your body. There are topical creams and moisturizers that can help manage flare ups.
4. Dehydration
   Your skin can dry out if you are not staying hydrated enough. It’s not just from the outside that your skin is affected!
5. Diabetes
   Your feet are often affected if you have diabetes, which is why regular visits to the podiatrist are important. Diabetes can slow your circulation and lower your immune system and result in dry skin.

What Can I Do?

You can help prevent and treat your dry skin in several different ways:

• Drink more water
• Use a pumice stone to rub and remove dead skin from dry, callused heels
• Moisturize regularly, especially after showering
• Soak your feet in an Epsom salt foot bath to relax, hydrate, and reduce risks of infection from cracked, dry skin
• See a podiatrist for skin conditions like athlete’s foot and eczema to get recommendations on topical antifungal creams and ointments, or to address diabetes-related skin issues.

How Can Precision Foot and Ankle Centers Help?

Dr. Eric M. Feit and his team of experienced podiatrists at Precision Foot and Ankle Centers are here to treat a variety of conditions that can be causing your dry skin. From prescription creams to easy-to-follow foot tips, they can give you the relief you need to have happy, healthy feet! For other common foot and ankle issues like heel pain, sports injuries, and surgeries, contact any of our offices in Los Angeles, Torrance, and San Pedro, CA to schedule an appointment!