Rough, dry skin on the soles of the feet may be more than just a cosmetic problem. The soles of the feet are a complex system of muscles and skeleton that support the entire body during lifelong walking. Caring for the soles of your feet can help reduce knee, hip, and back pain, as well as make them look beautiful in sandals. There are a number of treatments that you can try to treat dry and rough skin on the soles of your feet. If your efforts don't work within a few weeks, see a doctor who can check your condition. But generally, rough and dry skin that is not caused by another health condition can be treated at home.
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Method 1 of 3: Caring for the soles of the feet
Step 1. Soak the soles of the feet
While spending long periods in chlorinated pools or hot tubs isn't great for your skin, soaking your feet for 15 minutes before moisturizing or exfoliating is beneficial. Once your sole has healed and isn't dry or rough anymore, you shouldn't soak it.
- Soaking in hot water for a long time can reduce the skin's natural oils and moisture in the outermost layer of the skin due to the heat. Both of these can cause dry skin, so limit your bath time.
- Don't soak your feet more than 3 times a week or you'll only make dry skin worse and not fix it.
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You can make a variety of soaking solution mixtures, including:
- Mix baking soda, water, and a little vinegar in a bucket of warm water.
- Mild soap (or scented soap if you prefer) in a bucket of warm water.
- Half a cup of Epsom salt in a warm bath.
- A quarter cup of white vinegar in a bucket of warm water.
- A quarter cup of lemon juice will dissolve dry skin and dead skin.
Step 2. Exfoliate the skin
Mechanical exfoliation means removing the outermost layer of dead skin to reveal the layer underneath. You can use a pumice stone, stiff brush, or loofah after softening the outermost layer of skin by soaking it.
- Pumice stones can be purchased at pharmacies or in the medicine section of large department stores.
- You don't need to buy a special stiff brush. Brushes sold in the cleaning equipment section can also be used as long as they are not used for anything else.
- Soaking your feet in warm water or taking a warm bath for 10-15 minutes before exfoliating is a good move.
Step 3. Moisturize the skin
After exfoliating the outermost layer of dead skin, it's time to restore moisture to the skin. Immediately moisturize the skin after bathing or bathing using non-alcoholic products to lock in skin moisture while maintaining moisture. Some moisturizers can lock in skin moisture, and other moisturizers can penetrate the skin to the dermis layer.
- Thick creams such as Eucerin and Cetaphil can lock in skin moisture. Other products that contain lanolin work in a similar way. Olive oil has the same effect on the skin and is usually readily available in the kitchen. Pour just a little, then wipe and massage into the skin.
- Other moisturizers will seep into the skin and have an effect on the dermis layer. Coconut oil is an oil that has a variety of benefits, including natural antibacterial and antifungal properties. When used on the soles of the feet, coconut oil will moisturize the skin, heal chapped skin, and help prevent infection.
- Alcohol-based products may feel less sticky, but alcohol will also dry out your skin more quickly.
- After moisturizing your feet, put on cotton socks to reduce the chances of you slipping and falling on the floor, and to maintain a layer of moisture on your feet.
Step 4. Visit a doctor
If these treatments don't work after repeated use, you may need to see a doctor. You may be tested for hypothyroidism if the dry skin extends to your arms and legs as well.
- If your dry skin doesn't improve with home treatments, your doctor may recommend using over-the-counter medications that contain lactic acid, or lactic acid and urea. These ingredients can help the skin retain more of its moisture.
- More serious conditions may require a prescription ointment or cream to reduce the chance of cracked skin due to dryness.
Method 2 of 3: Changing Your Lifestyle
Step 1. Meet the body's fluid needs
The skin utilizes the moisture in the body to maintain its moisture and health. When you are dehydrated, the water in your body is used for its most important functions, such as circulating blood, before it is used on the skin. By drinking at least 8 glasses of 240 ml of water every day, the skin all over your body will stay moisturized and not dry out quickly.
Try to avoid alcohol and caffeine if possible, as they can make itchy dry feet worse
Step 2. Be aware of the side effects of the drugs you are taking
Diuretics are intended to increase the excretion of water in the body, while oral or topical retinoids to treat acne can cause temporary dry skin.
If the side effect of dry skin lasts more than 2 weeks, talk to your doctor about the possibility of using other drugs
Step 3. Put on cotton socks
Cotton socks allow the soles of the feet to breathe and wick sweat away. Leaving sweat on the skin's surface will speed up the rate at which moisture is lost and the skin will dry out.
- Change socks every day after sweating (such as after exercising or a long walk). Wash socks after each use.
- Wear socks to bed after moisturizing your feet every night.
Step 4. Wear shoes that allow the soles of your feet to breathe
Avoid wearing the same shoes all day. The soles of your feet need to breathe to retain moisture, so try wearing sandals or air-conditioned shoes during the dry season. During the rainy season, avoid wearing rubber boots indoors or at school, you should bring a change of shoes that are lighter and cooler to wear.
Step 5. Avoid harsh and dry soaps
Hard soaps won't make your skin cleaner than mild soaps. In fact, soap like this will dry out your skin and make you more prone to dry skin. Hard soaps will remove the fat layer on your skin, making your skin feel rough and dry.
Dermatologists often recommend using soaps that are high in glycerin, such as pure glycerin bars and natural bar soaps. You can buy soap like this at most pharmacies and natural health product stores
Step 6. Use warm water for bathing or bathing
Instead of taking a hot shower or bath, use warm water and limit your shower time to no more than 10 minutes. Hot water and low humidity will reduce the water content in the outer layer of your skin, and as a result, your skin will feel dry and rough.
The rule that you can use is to turn on the water to a temperature that feels comfortable and does not make the skin redden
Method 3 of 3: Understanding the Importance of Foot Care
Step 1. Know the function of your skin
The skin is the largest organ of the body that is strong and flexible. Its function is to protect the body from attacks by viruses, bacteria, and fungi. When the skin cracks and breaks, these infectious agents can enter the bloodstream. In addition, the skin functions to regulate body temperature, or in other words, maintains the optimal body temperature so that it can function normally.
- The skin is sensitive enough to allow you to feel a variety of different sensations which are then interpreted by the brain. No part of the body is normally numb or numb, including the soles of the feet.
- New skin cells are created every day. The body removes about 30,000-40,000 skin cells from all parts of the body every minute of every day. Dead skin cells are located in the outer 18-23 layers of the skin.
- The outermost layer of the skin which is made up of dead skin cells is called the epidermis. This layer is very thin in some parts of the body, such as the eyelids, and thicker in other parts of the body, such as the soles of the feet. When old skin cells in the epidermis slough off, new skin cells underneath are exposed.
Step 2. Diagnose dry and rough skin on the soles of the feet
Dry skin is known as xerosis. They are lighter in color than other parts of the sole of the foot and often feel rough to the touch. You may experience:
- Itchy rash
- Cracked skin
- Redness
- Fissure (deep fracture) in the heel
- Exfoliating the skin
- The heel and the front of the foot that are most in contact with the floor are most at risk of becoming rough, resulting in a greater risk of peeling and cracking of the skin.
Step 3. Understand why your feet are dry
The skin on the soles of the feet can become dry and rough due to a number of things, including:
- Age: age and hormonal disturbances due to aging (such as due to processes such as menopause) make the skin lose its lipid layer and elasticity thereby increasing the risk of dry skin.
- Climate: living in a dry climate can dehydrate the skin and cause it to dry out. In addition, air conditioning can also reduce air humidity and skin's natural moisture. Meanwhile, winter weather can damage the skin.
- Skin conditions: atopic dermatitis and psoriasis are two skin conditions that can cause dryness and roughness of the affected area.
- Chlorine: swimming or soaking in high-chlorine pools can reduce the skin's natural moisture.
- Medical conditions: the skin on the soles of the feet in diabetics is often dry and rough, resulting in an increased risk of infection. Poor blood supply can result in reduced skin cell moisture and increase the risk of complications. If you have diabetes and the skin on the soles of your feet is dry, see a doctor or a podiatrist for treatment.
Step 4. Prevent dry and rough feet
Prevention is always the best solution. Maintaining healthy skin on the soles of the feet is easier to do than dealing with skin that is already rough and dry. Here are some tips for maintaining healthy and soft feet:
- As you age, take good care of your feet using the steps above.
- If you swim regularly in chlorinated pools, give extra care to the skin of the soles of your feet. Chlorine will strip the skin of moisture and make it dry.
- Shower or bathe as long as it takes to clean yourself up, no longer. Take a shower and avoid bathing to reduce the risk of losing your skin's natural moisture. Always moisturize your skin with a non-alcoholic moisturizer after every shower or bath.
- If you have atopic dermatitis or psoriasis, give extra care to the soles of your feet to reduce the potential for cracked or peeling skin.
- If you have diabetes, check for cracked skin every night. You can reduce your risk of complications from diabetes if you take precautions and take care of the soles of your feet.
Tips
- If using coconut oil, you may only need to moisturize the soles of your feet and heels 2-3 times a day to maintain their elasticity.
- After the condition of the soles of your feet improves, continue using moisturizer after every shower or bath to prevent this condition from recurring.
- Know that the health of the soles of the feet is related to the health of the body as a whole. The soles of your feet are an indicator of your general health.
