Extremely Dry Feet: Causes, Treatment, Prevention
There’s nothing pleasant about having extremely dry feet. Not only is walking around with extremely dry feet embarrassing due to their distasteful appearance, the pain caused by such dryness can be so disruptive to your daily routine. It’s just not pretty. Shoes become difficult to put on, and walking becomes a difficult task. And the thought of standing all day while at work becomes absolutely dreadful.
Extremely dry feet is something that should not be left untreated.
If you have suffered, or are currently suffering from extremely dry feet, and you wish to learn the causes behind it, as well as how to treat it and prevent it, keep on reading.
Why Are My Feet Extremely Dry?
Unlike the rest of the body, your feet don’t have any oil glands, making them naturally the driest parts of your body. They have to depend on your sweat glands, and your personal efforts to keep them healthy and moisturized.
There are a number of reasons that may have caused you to develop extremely dry feet. While some of these reasons are minor, and can be treated with a few simple home remedies (lotions, soaks, etc.), the cause can be a little more serious, too. Here are some causes behind extremely dry feet, including possible medical and skin conditions:
- Excessively hot showers or baths
- Skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis that cause skin (especially on the feet) to become extremely dry
- Non-moisturizing soaps
- Medical conditions like diabetes and thyroid disease
- Cold weather
- Low humidity in the home or office due to heating systems
- Age
- Sun exposure
Could Extremely Dry Feet be a Symptom of an Underlying Illness?
While having extremely dry feet is usually a common result of minor concerns, it can also mean that your body is giving you signs of an underlying illness. As mentioned above, extremely dry feet can be caused by skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, which if left untreated, can result in more painful issues. Diabetes and thyroid disease are medical conditions that can also cause extremely dry feet, and should be treated immediately due to the high risk of developing infections.
If you’ve noticed that you’ve begun to develop extremely dry feet, it’s best to set up an appointment to consult with your doctor about your recent findings.
Helpful Tip: Although extremely dry feet is a skin condition, it is still best to visit your foot doctor (podiatrist) instead of the assumed skin doctor (dermatologist). Your podiatrist is trained in dermatology, so that they can help treat patients suffering from skin conditions on the feet. Deciding to visit your podiatrist first will save you time, and money, and will help you get to the bottom of your concerns about your feet.
How Can I Treat My Extremely Dry Feet at Home?
Simple home remedies like applying hydrating DIY Foot lotions, or specially made foot lotions after baths, using moisturizing soaps for skin and even drinking plenty of water can help you avoid extremely dry feet.
Remedies like using olive oil with a few drops of lavender essential oil and applying to your feet before bed, or soaking your feet in warm water that’s combined with lemon juice and applying moisturizer right after, can help you successfully treat and heal your extremely dry feet.
If you are diabetic or have eczema, and have been correctly diagnosed by your doctor, keeping your diabetes under control and properly managing your health will help you treat and further avoid extremely dry feet.
How Can I Prevent Myself From Developing Extremely Dry Feet Again?
Many of the suggested remedies above are a great way of naturally preventing yourself from getting extremely dry feet again. Consulting with a doctor will help you first find out if you have any underlying medical or skin conditions that may be causing you to get extremely dry feet. After you’ve been properly diagnosed, you can begin to treat your extremely dry feet at your doctor’s recommendation.
Avoiding too many washes with harsh soaps that can strip your feet of moisture, as well as avoiding saunas and spending long periods in the sun without sunscreen can help prevent this condition.
You can also treat and prevent extremely dry feet by using moisturizing gel socks once a week to boost foot hydration. Find moisturizing gel socks here.
