The steps to treat dry skin of the feet are rather simple. Most of those steps require small daily changes in a person’s daily habit to alleviate dryness. Treatment of dry foot skin revolves around restoring the water and moisture content as well as the fatty substances and natural oils of the epidermal or top layer of the skin.
Our recommendations for treating dry skin of the feet are as follows:
- Do not shower with excessively hot water. Shower with luke warm to warm water instead. Hot showers can strip your body of it natural barriers and remove moisture from the skin. Reducing shower duration will also reduce dryness in the feet.
- Use mild and fragrant free soaps. They are less harsh on the skin and work well for treating dry skin, such as Cetaphil and Dovel soaps
- In general use ointments or creams instead of lotions. Petroleum jelly, Kerasal, or Aquaphor can be applied for severely dry skin as they insulate the skin cells.
- Stay hydrated, drinking eight glasses of water per day to help with skin hydration .
- Humidifiers can be found to be helpful for those suffering with dry skin by increasing the amount of moisture in the air.
- Avoid caffeine and excessive alcohol, and add more omega-3 fatty acids to your diet. Consuming foods with healthy oils such as walnut, avocado, and flaxseed oil have all been found to beneficial for treating dry skin of the feet.
- Vitamins that support support healthy skin are beneficial to add to a treatment regimen to improve symptoms of dry skin. Daily intake of 100 milligrams of B-complex containing thiamin, riboflavin, and pantothenic acid, and 15 milligrams of beta carotene with zinc can greatly improve dry skin condition of the feet.
Replenishing the moisture in your foot skin is necessary to alleviate dry and bothersome conditions. If you are suffering from dry skin of the feet please make an appointment today to see one of the doctors are Progressive Foot Care.