Very dry skin on the feet: what to do, causes of dryness and treatment

Beautiful well-groomed skin is the basis of the beauty of any woman. But the characteristics of the body, living and working conditions, diseases can negatively affect the epidermis. The result is often dry skin on the feet. This is a violation that can lead to serious cosmetic defects. Peeling of the skin, discoloration of the upper layer of the epidermis and a number of other negative manifestations can ruin the appearance of beautiful tanned legs. In addition, cosmetic defects are not the only danger that very dry skin poses.

Causes of dry skin on the legs and feet

What affects the condition of the dermis of the legs and why does it peel off? Let's find out in more detail the reasons that can cause dry skin on the feet.

Clothes made from synthetic fabrics. We are talking about tights and leggings, which can cause skin irritation. And it manifests itself in the form of dryness and peeling of the skin of the legs.
Cosmetical tools. If the products are incorrectly selected or simply not suitable, they dry out the skin. When choosing cosmetics, be sure to read what components are included. The presence of natural oils or ceramides is a prerequisite for quality skin care cosmetics.
Insufficient care. Not all women pay the same attention to the skin of their legs as they do to the skin of their face. However, the legs require no less attention.
Diseases. Quite often, dry skin is one of the symptoms of some ailment, for example, psoriasis, eczema, diabetes, fungal infections, as well as insufficient intake of vitamins and beneficial components into the body.
Impaired blood circulation. Hardening procedures, exercise, sports - everything that strengthens blood vessels will help. If professional activity forces a person to be in one position for a long time (for example, working at a computer), and also to remain on his feet (teachers, hairdressers), then it is necessary to take breaks during which to walk, stand up, and move. This will prevent the development of negative changes in blood circulation.
Age. After 40 years, the skin dries out, and this requires careful and systematic care. It is very important to maintain a drinking regime, drink clean water, and not replace it with other drinks. Introducing a large amount of fruits, vegetables, fish into the diet, taking vitamins, as well as avoiding hygiene products that contain alkali will give a positive result.

Causes

Dry skin on the feet The causes of dry skin on the feet are quite varied, however, most often it is due to impaired blood flow in the lower extremities. Circulation problems are most often caused by wearing tight shoes or thick stockings. But these factors can also cause the development of varicose veins, which begins with the appearance of spider veins and ends with vein thrombosis and their removal. I would like to note that wearing tight tights does not allow the skin to “breathe”, which, in turn, disrupts its water balance. But not only stockings, but also clothes that fit tightly to the body can lead to such a problem, which not only causes skin problems, but also worsens blood circulation, negatively affecting the entire body as a whole. The skin on the feet also peels, perhaps due to exposure to low temperatures. In women, this is facilitated by wearing short dresses in winter and frequent cosmetic procedures with various products that negatively affect the skin of the feet. These include bubble baths, soaps and even moisturizing body milk. When choosing cosmetics, you must carefully study its composition in order to exclude components that dry out the epidermis. Foot care cosmetics should be rich in ceramides that moisturize the epidermis and natural essential oils that help tone it. Frequent use of water with a high chlorine content can also cause dryness and cracks in the epidermis. If you do not have the opportunity to wash with other water, then after taking water procedures, be sure to treat your feet with a nourishing cream. Dry skin on the feet and other parts of the body can appear due to psoriasis, diabetes, or dermatitis. If the cause of dry skin is a disease, this problem must be solved only with the help of a specialist. Since it is possible to bring the skin back to normal condition only if it is possible to find and eradicate the cause of this problem. Age also plays an important role in dry skin. The older a person gets, the less hydrated the skin becomes. After forty years, you have to put in a lot of effort to keep the epidermis healthy and elastic. In this case, products for aging skin help fight the signs of aging. What can you do to cope with excessive dry skin on your feet? What are the best methods for moisturizing it? To find out about this and choose the right recipe for you, read the tips below.

When to see a doctor

If the first symptoms of dry skin appear, it is recommended to seek medical advice. This is necessary in order to correctly determine the causes and not make mistakes when diagnosing yourself. If dry skin is caused by any disease, and a person does not consult a specialist, then dangerous complications can develop. A dermatologist, an allergist, and a therapist will help in this situation; after examining and receiving the results of the tests, they will prescribe treatment and give recommendations.

Dry skin problems

Dry cracked skin

Any break in the epithelium is a potential “gateway” for infection to enter the body. Healthy skin is a single elastic cellular barrier that is regularly renewed.

Increased dryness of the epidermis leads to loss of elasticity and increases the risk of cracks and tears. Various persistent discomfort sensations appear - tightness, itching, the skin begins to peel.

The symptoms of negative manifestations are quite extensive and can indicate not only cosmetic defects, but also the presence of a serious disease. The same excessive dryness of the feet almost always causes the appearance of tramplings, calluses, and other neoplasms.

So cosmetic defects are far from the most important of the troubles that await a person who does not pay attention to changes in the pH level of the epidermis of the legs.

Increased dryness of the epidermis is often a much more serious problem than it might seem at first glance. The skin is the body's natural protective barrier and the first line of defense against a variety of pathogenic microorganisms. But for this, an important condition is maintaining its integrity.

Treatment

If such a problem arises, then there is no need to panic. There are many ways to deal with dry skin on your feet.

Balanced diet

The skin should receive a sufficient amount of fluid, vitamins and other beneficial components. That is why it is necessary to reconsider your diet. Every day you should drink at least 2 liters of water, eat healthy fats (various types of nuts, fish, vegetable oils), fruits, vegetables and berries. It should be noted that, for example, chips and fast food can cause dry skin, and therefore it is recommended to exclude these and similar unhealthy foods from the diet.

Application of vitamins

In the autumn-winter period, as well as in the spring, it is difficult to obtain the required amount of vitamins from food. You need to see a doctor to prescribe vitamin or vitamin-mineral complexes. Popular - Supradin, Alphabet, Aevit, etc.

Careful care

Taking care of the skin of your feet is no less important than taking care of the skin of your face and hands. What does the concept of “thorough care” mean?

Take care of personal hygiene of the body and feet every day. Choose tights and socks with natural composition.
Every day it is recommended to apply a moisturizer to your feet, which will quickly soften the skin and nourish it with moisture. You just need to do it correctly. First, take a shower or bath to open the skin pores, and then apply the cream. It is good to massage a stream of water directed at your feet while taking a shower to improve blood circulation. After the procedure, the skin should be blotted with a towel and then use the cream. You can also use vegetable oils (almond, olive, flaxseed), which will not only help moisturize, but also give the skin vitamins. After water procedures, the oil is applied to the skin for 3 - 5 minutes, and then the excess amount is removed with a paper napkin.
Alkaline soap is prohibited, as it will dry out the skin even more. Liquid soap containing oils is suitable. This soap cleanses the skin gently and does not harm it.
To prevent the appearance of cracks in the heels, it is recommended to systematically use pumice to remove the stratum corneum. It is strictly forbidden to use a razor for these purposes, as it injures the skin, which can increase the risk of infection. After treating with pumice, the heels should be washed under running water, dried and a nourishing cream should be applied. The procedure is especially effective if the skin is dry and itchy.
You can also use special store-bought scrubs and peelings - mousses or creams that contain solid particles. They are the ones who remove the top dead skin cells. You can also prepare a homemade scrub by mixing equal amounts of coarse sea salt and cream or full-fat sour cream.
Paraffin therapy for feet. This procedure can be ordered either in a beauty salon or performed independently at home. To do this, you need to melt cosmetic wax in a steam bath and apply it warm in a thin layer on the soles of your feet, let it harden, and then apply another 2-3 layers in the same way. Wrap your feet in plastic wrap and a warm, thick cloth and leave for half an hour, then remove the wax and use a pumice stone to remove rough skin. Paraffin therapy softens the skin and moisturizes it.
Foot baths. To carry out the procedure, you need to mix sage and oak bark or chamomile and hops, or oats and bran in equal proportions. Take 2 tbsp. l. any collection and pour 1 liter of boiling water, let it brew for 20 to 30 minutes. The infusion for the baths is ready. Do the procedure systematically twice a week for 15 minutes, after which pat your feet dry with a towel and apply a nourishing or moisturizing cream.

Application of cosmetics

Store-bought cosmetics will help you cope with dry skin on your feet. Let's take a look at the most frequently used ones.

Essential oils. They penetrate the skin and deeply nourish it, enriching it with useful components. You can use essential oils every day after taking a shower or bath. Oils such as peach, tea tree, flaxseed, and almond are often used for these purposes.
Milk for dry skin. It is used instead of regular soap. The milk gently cleanses the skin without causing dryness.
Moisturizing cream. Designed for daily use in the morning and evening.

Traditional medicine recipes

Let's take a look at the most effective alternative medicine recipes that will help get rid of dry skin on your feet.

For dry knees. To prepare this remedy, you will need the juice of one lemon and a small amount of almond oil. The components need to be mixed and the resulting composition applied to a damp towel, which is wrapped around the knees. After a quarter of an hour, remove the towel and lubricate your knees with moisturizer. The result is smooth skin and a pleasant skin scent.
A mask for dry feet, based on baby cream. Mix 4 teaspoons of cream + raw egg white + teaspoon butter + 2 tsp. chopped raw potatoes. Apply the resulting homogeneous mass to the skin of your feet for half an hour, then rinse with warm water. Good for very dry skin on feet.
Combine a pharmaceutical preparation - an oil solution of vitamin E or A with cream or full-fat sour cream, taking the above components in equal quantities. The result is an excellent product for moisturizing dry skin on the feet, which should be applied for 20 minutes. After completing the procedure, remove the residue with a paper towel.
Another mask to soften the skin of the feet. Grind one teaspoon of butter with the yolk of a raw egg, then add 2 tsp. finely grated raw potatoes and 4 tsp. baby cream Apply the mixture to your feet, wrap in cling film and put on warm socks. After 20 minutes, wash off the mask and apply cream. The procedure should be carried out 2 times a week, as a result of which the heels will have an excellent appearance, and dry skin on the feet will be a thing of the past.

Drug treatment

If neither traditional methods, nor cosmetics, nor proper nutrition help overcome dry skin on the feet, then you need to turn to pharmaceutical products. Naturally, after consultation and doctor’s prescriptions:

If dry skin on the legs is due to allergies, then antihistamines are prescribed.
For diseases such as eczema and dermatitis, ointments with Vaseline or glycerin are used.
If the cause of peeling skin on the legs is diabetes, the doctor will prescribe medications to normalize blood sugar levels.
For varicose veins, medications for blood vessels are prescribed.

Traditional recipes for foot care

Baths of medicinal herbs - St. John's wort, calendula, wormwood, oak bark, coltsfoot - will help soften the skin of the feet, remove sweating, inflammation and heal small cracks. Prepare the infusion according to the instructions and add it to warm water: keep your feet in a basin with this infusion until the water cools. Then dry your feet thoroughly, rub in oil - olive, coconut, etc. and put on socks made of natural fabric.

Don't forget about foot scrubs (this can be used brewed ground coffee, semolina, oatmeal, sea salt combined with honey, natural oils, etc.). Remove rough skin regularly, using pumice or special scrapers if necessary. If the skin on your legs or feet is red, flaky, or inflamed. If deep painful cracks appear or there is a suspicion of fungus, etc., then do not self-medicate and consult a dermatologist.

Prevention

We all know that disease is easier to prevent than to treat. The same is true for the skin of the legs. It is better to prevent the appearance of dryness, peeling, and cracks than to later use various means to combat these unpleasant consequences. So, preventive measures are as follows:

shoes - only comfortable ones;
no - tight leggings and tight tights;
the diet includes healthy food, which includes a large amount of fresh vegetables and fruits, natural products;
yes - to moisturizing masks, creams, foot care procedures;
no - regular alkaline soap.

We hope that this article will help keep the skin of your feet in excellent condition, no matter what time of year it is outside. And every woman will know what to do if she has problems with dry skin of her legs and feet.

ethnoscience

Foot bath with herbs

Foot baths are one of the most effective folk remedies for moisturizing dry skin. With their help, it is impossible to eliminate the causes of the disease, but baths help to cope with unpleasant symptoms very successfully. They are based on the effect of medicinal plants on the skin.

The medicinal plants that are most often used for their preparation are found everywhere. A variety of recipes allows you to cope with a wide range of skin moisture disorders and associated symptoms:

rosemary and wormwood - tone the skin, improve blood circulation and refresh;
sage and oak bark - narrowing pores and moisturizing;
mint – relieves itching and soothes skin irritation;
chamomile and hops – stimulates cell division, has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects;
calendula claws - heals suppuration and wounds faster;
wheat, oats, corn, almonds - eliminate itching, soften keratinized areas of the dermis, have a moisturizing and soothing effect;
yarrow – moisturizes dry, cracked skin.

To achieve the effect, it is enough to organize baths twice a week. But to treat serious deficiencies, it is necessary to additionally use a daily nourishing cream. It is selected individually on the recommendation of a dermatologist, based on the degree of neglect of the problem.

Each recipe has its own effect depending on the desired effect. Baths are prepared from warm water to which a medicinal substance is added. The recommended duration of the procedure is fifteen minutes.

Ways to moisturize your toes at home

If, in addition to dry skin, you do not observe other unpleasant manifestations and do not feel discomfort, then you can correct the situation in two simple ways - go to a professional beauty salon or use home remedies. The first option is undoubtedly simpler, but it requires a certain amount of money and free time, which not everyone has. That's why many women enjoy using home remedies to treat dry toes, leaving the skin feeling soft and moisturized.

Foot baths

Firstly, it is not recommended to wash your feet with regular soap. Instead, it is better to use special cleansers for foot baths - they clean well and do not dry out the skin. Secondly, more intensive care should be carried out 1 or 2 times a week.

To make a homemade foot infusion, you will need sage, chamomile, oak bark, hops, oats and bran. All this needs to be mixed in equal proportions and take 2 tablespoons per 1 liter of water. Pour boiling water over the mixture and leave for about 20 minutes. During this time, the infusion will be enriched with useful substances and cool down to a comfortable temperature. The foot bath should be taken for 15 minutes. You need to wash your feet first. After completing the procedure, you should use a nourishing foot cream.

If all these ingredients are not at hand, then you can take a bath with sea salt - 3 tbsp will be enough for a small basin. l. But to achieve a lasting effect, it is necessary to supplement the care with the use of cream.

Moisturizing Toe Cream

After taking foot baths, it is highly advisable to immediately apply moisturizer to the steamed skin. This can be a store-bought product or a homemade one. You can also add a drop of tea tree essential oil to it - it will not only make the skin more elastic, but also prevent the risk of fungal diseases.

Homemade cream can be prepared as follows. It is necessary to mix the following ingredients: 50 g of melted butter, 2 yolks, 3 tbsp. l. castor and olive oil, 1 tsp. 3% boric acid solution and 30 g of camphor alcohol. To ensure that all components are well mixed, the mixture must be heated over low heat in a water bath. After this, you need to add half a glass of chamomile infusion (pour 1 tablespoon of flowers with half a glass of boiling water and leave for 2 hours). This cream can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 weeks.

Mask

You need to remove the peel from the apple, cut it into slices and cook in milk until mushy. The warm mass should be applied to the feet and wrapped in polyethylene for 30 minutes. There is no need to wash off this mask. You should remove it with a napkin and put on cotton socks.

Among other things, you should remember about nutrition. It must be balanced. Also, during periods of vitamin deficiency, it is necessary to take vitamin complexes - this will also have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin of the toes. Include more fruits, nuts and grains in your diet.

The skin on your toes is cracking

Nowadays, no one is surprised by the problem of excessive dryness and dehydration of the skin of the body, as a result of which the skin on the toes of adults and children cracks. The peak of the problem occurs in the summer, when hot and dry air hovers around and causes even the deepest particles of moisture in the skin to evaporate.

This is why you can understand why the skin between your toes cracks because it is almost completely devoid of moisture. Although dryness is one thing, fungus is another. If we are talking specifically about mycosis (skin fungus), then the situation with dryness only contributes to its progression, but is not the cause of its occurrence.

Bacteria are always present on the skin of the feet, but when the feet are overheated or hypothermic, as well as when wearing tight, stuffy shoes, the foot fungus begins to become active. It is because of athlete's foot (mycosis) that the skin between and around the toes cracks, especially under the nails.

Prevention of peeling

With proper care of the skin of your feet, peeling in the area of the big toe does not occur. It is important to take baths several times a week, steam the skin, remove the stratum corneum of the dermis using penza and a special brush, and trim your nails in a timely manner. To prevent fungal infection, the instrument must be individual.

Buy shoes and socks made from natural materials. Remember that your skin needs to breathe, especially if you spend most of the day on your feet. Do not use hygiene products with parabens or fragrances. Women are not recommended to wear high heels, which impair blood circulation and worsen the regeneration processes in the feet.

Note! To prevent the development of fungus, support your immune system by taking vitamin complexes. To improve blood circulation and skin regeneration, use a contrast shower, do herbal baths, and foot massage.

An adult suffering from dry skin needs to regularly use a moisturizing foot cream. Before applying it, wash your feet with warm water and gently wipe dry with a clean towel. If cracks have formed between your fingers, immediately use regenerating agents (Bepanten, Dexpanthenol).