How to Take Care of Hard Dry Feet

Dry skin on the feet is not just a cosmetic problem. The feet are a complex musculoskeletal system that helps the body move. Foot care can help relieve knee, hip, and back pain and make your feet look better in sandals. There are many different treatments that you can apply to make the skin of your feet less dry. If you don’t have success after a few weeks, you may need to see your doctor to check the condition of your foot. However, in general, if dry skin is not caused by another disease, it can always be successfully treated at home.

Table of Contents

Foot care

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Declaim food. While spending time in a chlorinated pool or hot tub isn’t good for your skin, soaking your feet for 15 minutes before moisturizing or exfoliating can help. Once your feet have healed and are no longer dry, you do not need to continue to soak your feet for treatment.

However, a long foot soak in hot water will dissolve the natural oils on the skin and the heat reduces the moisture in the outer layer of skin, which is what causes dry skin, so limit the time you soak your feet.
Don’t soak your feet more than 3 times a week, or you’ll make the skin of your feet even more dry instead of healing it.
You can make different types of soaks, including:
- Mix baking soda and a little vinegar in a bowl of warm water. ^{[1] X Research Source}
- Mix mild detergent (use fragrance if you like) in a basin of warm water.
- Mix Epsom salts in a tub of warm water. ^{[2] X Research Source}
- Mix 1/4 cup of white vinegar in a bowl of warm water.
- Use 1/4 cup of lemon juice to exfoliate dead skin cells and dry skin. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

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Kill death celk. Mechanical exfoliation means removing the top layer of dead skin to nourish the skin underneath. You can use a pumice stone, stiff brush, or loofah to remove after the top layer of skin has been softened. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Pumice stone is available in stores or supermarkets.
You don’t need to buy a special brush. Even a regular household brush can be used as long as you don’t use it with other cleaning products.
It is best to soak your feet in warm water or take a warm bath for 10-15 minutes before exfoliating.

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Moisturizing. Once you’ve exfoliated, it’s time to hydrate the skin. Moisturize immediately after bathing or soaking your feet with an alcohol-free product to keep moisture in your skin, preventing it from drying out. Some moisturizers will trap moisture in the skin while others penetrate the skin. ^{[5] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Moisture-rich creams like Eucerin and Cetaphil work by keeping moisture in the skin. Other products with lanpin also work similarly. Olive oil is equally effective on the skin and is easily available. Take some olive oil, apply to the skin and massage.
Other moisturizers will penetrate the skin and work inside the skin. Coconut oil has many uses, including natural antibacterial and antifungal properties. It moisturizes the skin of the feet, helps the cracks to heal and prevents infection. ^{[6] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}^{[7] X Research Source}
Products containing alcohol will be less “sticky” but alcohol will make the skin dry faster.
After moisturizing your feet, wear cotton socks to reduce the risk of slipping when walking and not to wash away the moisturizer.

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See a doctor. If these treatments fail after repeated attempts, you will need to see a doctor. Ask to be tested for hypothyroidism if dry skin appears on the arms and legs. ^{[8] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

If dry skin doesn’t improve with home remedies, your doctor will prescribe medications that contain lactic acid or lactic acid and urea. These ingredients will help keep the skin moisturized.
More serious conditions will require ointments or creams to reduce the risk of cracking and drying out the skin.

Lifestyle change

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Drink a lot of water. Moisture in the body is used to hydrate and nourish the skin. When you are dehydrated, water is used for its most important function, such as blood circulation, before it is used by the skin. By drinking 8 glasses of water a day, the skin on the entire body will be hydrated and not dry quickly. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks as they will increase the itching sensation in the dry skin of the feet. ^{[10] X Research Source}

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Be aware of the side effects of the medications you are taking. Diuretics used to increase the amount of water in the body or topical or oral retinoids used to treat acne can also temporarily dry the skin. ^{[11] X Research Source}

If the side effect of dry skin persists for more than 2 weeks, talk to your doctor about changing your medication.

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Wear cotton socks. Cotton socks keep feet cool and absorb sweat. When sweat accumulates on the skin, it loses moisture and causes the feet to dry out. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Change socks daily or after sweating (such as after exercising or hiking). Wash socks after each use.
Wear socks to bed every night after moisturizing your feet.

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Wear comfortable shoes for your feet. Avoid wearing the same shoes throughout the day. Your feet need to breathe to retain moisture, so wear sandals or shoes with ventilation holes when it’s hot. When it’s cold, avoid wearing warm shoes even at the office or school, instead, wear an extra pair of thin, cool shoes to change into when not outdoors. ^{[13] X Research Source}

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Avoid harsh soaps, which dry out the skin. Strong soaps do not make the skin cleaner than mild detergents. However, they strip the skin of moisture and lead to dryness. This soap dissolves fats on the skin, leaving you feeling dry and tight. ^{[14] X Research Source}^{[15] X Research Source}

Dermatologists often recommend soaps that are high in glycerin, such as glycerin soaps and natural soaps. You can find these in most supermarkets and stores. ^{[16] X Research Source}

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Use warm water in the shower. Instead of using hot water in the shower, use warm water and limit bathing time to less than 10 minutes. Hot water and air with low humidity reduce water in the outer skin, causing the skin to feel dry and tight. ^{[17] X Research Source}

As a general rule, you should adjust the water temperature so that you feel comfortable but not reddened your skin.

Understand the importance of foot care

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Understand the function of the skin. Skin is the largest organ of the body, tough and elastic. The skin protects the body from bacteria, viruses and fungi. When the skin is cracked, there is an opportunity for bacteria to enter the bloodstream. In addition, the skin has the function of thermoregulation or keeping the body temperature at the best level to help the body’s functions work. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

Skin sensitivity helps you perceive different sensations due to brain regulation. No area of the body is numb or feeling numb, including the feet.
Skin cells are produced every day. The body sheds about 30,000 to 40,000 skin cells a minute every day. ^{[19] X Research Source} Dead cells are located on the 18th to 23rd layers of the skin. ^{[20] X Trusted Source American Academy of Dermatpogy Go to Source}
The outer layer of the skin with dead cells is called the epidermis. This skin is very thin in some areas of the body like the eyelids and thick in others like the soles of the feet. When dead cells in the epidermis are removed, new cells will be produced underneath.

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Diagnosis of dry, hard feet. This dry skin condition is scientifically known as xerosis. You will notice that the skin is lighter in color than the rest of the leg and is usually hard to the touch. You will feel: ^{[21] X Research Source}

Itchy
Cracked skin
Red
Deep crack in heel
Skin
The heels and soles of the feet, where there is a lot of contact with the ground, are often more dry. This increases the risk of cracking and peeling of the skin.

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Find out what causes dry feet. Foot skin can become dry for a variety of reasons: ^{[22] X Trusted Source American Academy of Dermatpogy Go to source}

Age : Age and hormone imbalances caused by age (due to menopause) cause the skin to lose elasticity and lipids, increasing the risk of dry skin.
Climate : Living in a dry climate can reduce skin moisture and lead to dry skin. Besides, air conditioners dehumidify the air, reducing the skin’s natural moisture. Cold weather also damages the skin.
Skin conditions : Atopic dermatitis and psoriasis are two types of diseases that make the skin dry and hard in the affected area.
Chlorine : Swimming or taking a dip in a chlorinated pool strips the skin of its natural moisture.
Effects of other diseases : People with diabetes often experience dry skin on their feet, which increases the risk of infection. Anemia also leads to loss of moisture in the skin and an increased risk of complications. ^{[23] X Trusted Source American Diabetes Association Go to Source} If you have diabetes and dry skin on your feet, see your doctor or podiatrist for the right treatment.

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Prevents skin from drying out. Prevention is better than cure. Foot care is still easier when it comes to treatment to cure the dryness. Here are some tips to help maintain soft, healthy foot skin: ^{[24] X Research Source}

The older you get, the more you need to take care of your feet, use the ways mentioned above.
If you regularly swim in chlorinated pools, take special care of the skin of your feet. Chlorine will strip moisture from the skin and lead to dryness. ^{[25] X Research Sources}
Don’t shower for too long, just enough to clean the body. Choose a shower instead of a bath to reduce the risk of losing moisture from your skin. Always moisturize (with an alcohol-free moisturizer) after bathing.
If you have atopic dermatitis or psoriasis, take special care of the skin of your feet to reduce the risk of cracking and peeling.
If you have diabetes, check the condition of your feet every night to avoid chapped skin. You can reduce your risk of diabetes-related complications if you know how to prevent and take care of the skin on your feet. ^{[26] X Trusted Source American Diabetes Association Go to Source}

Advice

If using coconut oil, you will need to moisturize 2 to 3 times per week to maintain soft skin on the soles and heels.
Once the foot has healed, continue to moisturize after bathing to prevent the dryness from reappearing.
Note that foot health is related to overall health. Feet indicate your state of health.

Warning

If you have diabetes, foot care is very important. Diabetes reduces blood circulation in the legs. This means that even a small crack or cut in the skin can lead to an infection that is difficult to heal.

Steps

Foot care

Lifestyle change

Understand the importance of foot care

Advice

Warning

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