DRY SKIN    

 

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What is dry skin?

 

The body makes a natural skin oil called sebum. Sebum forms a protective film helping skin to stay soft and supple but too little of it can cause the skin to become dry. Moisture also keeps the skin soft and supple – the outermost layer of the skin contains 15% water, which is constantly evaporating due to external factors such as heat or wind.

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What causes dry skin?

Some people just have a naturally dry skin, and most of us experience drier skin as we get older.

 

Some other common causes of dry skin on the feet are:

• Skin conditions e.g. athlete’s foot, eczema or psoriasis

• Certain medical conditions e.g. diabetes or hypothyroidism

• Poorly fitting or open backed shoes

• Overuse of excessively hot water i.e. soaking the feet for too long

• Poor circulation

• Certain medication

 

How do I know I’ve got it?

The appearance of dry skin on the feet can vary from person to person, and depending on the site and cause:-

• It usually looks and feels rough and hard. It may be flaky, peeling or cracked.

• It may feel itchy, tight and uncomfortable and can be painful especially if it splits.

• Dry skin is most common on the lower legs or around the heels, where it is often accompanied by hard skin (callous).

• You may find a lot of silvery or white skin flakes in your socks or stockings/tights.

 

Why should I treat it?

Well moisturised skin will feel more comfortable and look better.  Supple skin is more resistant to damage and less likely to develop painful callous, corns, splits or cracks which can lead to infection and other serious complications.

 

How do I treat it?

• Frequently – ideally at least twice a day, every day but this may not always be possible or practical.

• Remove excess flaky skin first with a foot file or pumice stone.

• Apply a small amount of your chosen cream (a fingertip’s worth per foot) and rub in lightly. Allow it to soak in for up to 5 minutes and wipe off any excess.

• If you have a lot of hard skin, you may find the cream is absorbed better after soaking your feet in warm water for a short while – no more than 5 minutes.

• It can take up to 28 days to see the benefit so persevere!

• Do not apply cream between your toes unless you have been specifically advised to.

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What should I use?

You can use any sort of moisturising cream:

• Foot cream/Heel balm

• Hand cream

• Body lotion

• Prescription cream from your GP or nurse

• Over the counter emollients (an emollient is the medical term for a moisturising cream.)

 

Some common emollients are:

• E45

• Diprobase

• Doublebass

• CCS

• Flexitol

• Baby lotion

• Cocoa butter

• Vaseline Intensive Care cream/lotion

 

Your podiatrist or health care professional can advise you on the most suitable emollient for you to use and review its effectiveness.

 

Urea is a very effective moisturiser, so products that contain this are preferable. 10% urea is fine for everyday dry skin, 25% is found in heel balms. These are more intensive, slightly heavier creams that are great for very dry, cracked skin.

 

* Please Note: Aqueous cream is NOT primarily a moisturiser! It is a soap substitute for those with allergies to the ingredients in liquid soaps/body wash etc. It can be used in conjunction with an emollient as part of your skin care regime.

 

But what if I can’t reach my feet?

Many people have difficulty getting down to their feet, but there are some simple solutions to applying cream…

• Use a cloth or sponge on a stick (can be bought or made).

• Place a plastic bag or sheet on the floor with cream in/on it and rub foot in it.

• Don’t be afraid to ask someone to give you a hand!

• Some emollients come in a spray form e.g Emollin or Allpresan

 

A simple step towards healthy happy feet is applying cream little and often!

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