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Dry Skin On The Foot

The skin holds a certain amount of water. This water is needed to keep the skin supple and able to withstand the different types of pressure that it is placed under. The water content of the skin can decrease causing the skin to become dry and sometimes itchy.
 
What is dry skin on the foot?
Dry skin is obvious - everyone knows what it looks like. It may cause other symptoms, such as scaling, redness and chapping. Dry skin can crack and fissure which can be a portal of entry for an infection to get in (this is particularly important in the foot, due to the warm moist environment of footwear which encourages infection). The skin can be itchy, especially if there is also a fungal infection. Around the heel and if the skin is thicker, cracks in the heel can occur.

What causes foot dry skin?
Some people just have a skin that is dryer than others  - they have a genetic predisposition to just develop dry skin. As people get older, the skin tends to become drier. Long hot baths and showers also tend to make the skin drier.
If dry skin is scaling and itchy, this may indicate a fungal infection (athlete's foot). Psoriasis also causes a dry scaling of the skin. Some medical conditions such as hypothyroidism and diabetes can also predispose to dry skin.

Self-management:
The best way to treat dry skin on the foot is to soak thoroughly while bathing or showering. Try to use very little soap and limit the amount of time in the water. After patting skin dry with a towel, apply a moisturizer or emollient to the foot. An oil-based emollient is preferable. For maximum effect, it should be applied daily.
If a fungal infection is the problem, then drying the foot is even more important. An antifungal powder or cream should be used.