In this blog, we look at the causes of dry skin and calluses on the feet, what it may mean and what you should do about it.
WHAT CONDITIONS CAUSE DRY SKIN AND CALLUSES ON FEET?
Dry skin is uncomfortable no matter where it occurs, but it can be particularly problematic on your feet. We tend to ask a lot of our feet and not enough of us take the time to ensure we’re looking after them as we should.
Very dry skin is known as anhidrosis. When you have very dry skin on your feet, especially on your heels, it can build up and become hard, leading to calluses. Build up of skin on the soles and heels of your feet can also cause skin to split or crack, which can be very painful.
Dry skin occurs for various reasons, and can occur all over the body, but there are particular risk factors we should watch out for that affect our feet:
WHAT’S THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DRY FEET AND AGEING?
As we age, our pores naturally produce less oil than they used to and collagen production reduces which can cause less elastic, dry skin that is more prone to cracking and splitting especially on the feet. This is a normal part of ageing and it just means we should try to take extra care of our skin as we grow older and not forget to apply moisturiser daily to our feet!
DOES DEHYDRATION CAUSE DRY FEET?
Dehydration may cause dry skin. If your body doesn’t have enough moisture, this will affect your skin — including your feet. The good news is that this is normally a simple fixe; just make sure you’re drinking plenty of water.
Dry air can also dehydrate skin, this tends to be more common in winter. Humid air, common in the summer, helps stop your skin and feet from drying out. Try to notice if you’re more affected by dry skin in a particular season and think about changing your skincare routine accordingly.
DOES ATHLETE’S FOOT CAUSE DRY FEET?
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that normally starts between the toes. It’s called Athlete’s foot because it commonly affects people who wear tight-fitting shoes and have sweaty feet, though this is not limited to athletes!
One of the symptoms of Athlete’s foot is dry, itchy and scaly skin. However, Athletes’ foot should be treated differently to dry skin with specific over-the-counter anti-fungal products. If it doesn’t clear up within two weeks, consult a doctor.
Eczema is another common condition that can cause dry skin on the feet. In some people, eczema is caused by a weak skin barrier, which means the skin loses moisture too easily. In others, eczema is caused by too much of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus on the skin.
You should see a doctor if you’re affected by severe eczema (if over-the-counter products do not work, if it’s affecting your ability to sleep or complete daily activities, or if there are signs of infection such as pus or yellow scabs.)
DOES DIABETES CAUSE DRY FEET?
People who have diabetes might be affected by dry feet. This is because diabetes can cause nerve damage, which affects your skin’s ability to properly prevent moisture loss. Diabetes is a serious health condition; if you have dry skin as well as other signs of diabetes, you should speak to a doctor.
Signs of diabetes to watch out for include the following:
- You need to urinate (pee) more than normal, especially at night.
- You are very thirsty.
- You lose weight without trying.
- You are extremely hungry.
- You experience blurry vision.
- You have numb or tingling hands or feet.
- You feel exhausted.
ARE DRY FEET A SIGN OF VITAMIN DEFICIENCY?
There may be a link between vitamin deficiency and dry skin, including dry skin on the feet. It’s important to have a nutritious diet for healthy skin. Various studies associate healthy skin hydration with the intake of vitamin C, collagen, vitamin D, fish oil and hyaluronic acid. Talk to your doctor before taking any over-the-counter supplements.
WHAT’S THE LINK BETWEEN DRY SKIN ON FEET AND BATHING?
It might be counterintuitive, but hot water can actually cause your skin to dry out. Remember, one of the main causes of dry skin on the feet is moisture loss. Hot water can actually damage the skin barrier, making it less effective at retaining moisture. In other words, frequent hot showers (or baths) can cause dry skin. To mitigate this, you can shower less often, have shorter showers, or shower with cooler water.
HOW TO FIX DRY SKIN AND CALLUSES ON FEET
Would you like beautiful-looking feet? If you’re affected by dry skin on your feet, there’s a simple solution. Use a moisturizer once or twice a day, such as LOVASKIN Instant Moisturizer. This potent, non-greasy moisturizer hydrates the skin on your feet.
If you have cracked heels, callouses or dead skin on your feet, you’ll need to take things one step further. In 2 minutes, LOVASKIN Instant Foot Peel transforms your skin from rough to silky smooth.
Simply spray generously on your feet 8 to 10 times, ensuring your feet are covered with the peel. Leave the product on for 60 seconds without touching it. Then massage the dry skin off using your fingertips. Once the first skin is removed, you can use the steel file included to remove the remainder of the dead skin. Rinse your feet with water and enjoy your new, silky-smooth, callus-free feet.