One of the most common foot problems that people face is dry feet. Not only do they not look the greatest, but they are also notoriously hard to get rid of. Some people only get dry feet in the winter, whereas others are cursed with dry, cracked feet year-round. Here, we have laid out some easy homemade remedies for getting your feet soft and beautiful again.
What Causes Dry Feet?
The skin on the body is supplanted with subcutaneous oil glands, whereas the skin covering the foot has no oil glands to keep it moisturised. Thus, the feet are reliant on sweat glands to keep them soft.
For people who do not have time to moisturise their skin daily or who are afflicted with other foot-related diseases, this can become a real problem as the skin dries out quickly. The problems resulting from dry feet can range from mild dry skin to severe complications. Keeping feet moisturised and avoiding rubbing or scratching can help in this regard.
Symptoms of Dry Feet
- Some of the associated symptoms of dry feet are:
- Fissures or cracks on the skin
- Redness and itchiness
- Rough, flaky and/or peeling skin
- Rashes
Causes of Dry Feet
Some things known to increase the likelihood of getting dry feet are:
- Taking hot showers and baths
- Eczema, psoriasis and other skin diseases caused by poor hygiene
- Diabetes and thyroid
- Cold weather and air coolers
- Lower humidity levels
- Ageing
Complications of Dry Feet
- Severe dry feet, apart from being extremely painful, can also cause complications like:
- Skin diseases like dermatitis and psoriasis
- Impaired ability to walk
- Impaired ability to stand
- Itchiness
Home Remedies for Dry Feet
There are a few home remedies that you can try to alleviate the symptoms of dry feet. It should be noted that these are not effective as one-off treatments and are best used as part of your daily care routine.
- Use a moisturising cream daily after bathing with a moisturising soap.
- Using lemon juice can help dissolve dead skin and tissue easily, helping you exfoliate for smoother skin. However, ensure that there are no cuts on your skin before trying this technique.
- Apply olive oil and lavender oil, mixed to a thick, milky consistency, to moisturise the heel of your foot.
- Use vegetable oil to reduce the dryness in the soles of your feet.
- Petroleum jelly mixed with lemon juice can also help to exfoliate the skin and make it softer.
- Drink lots of water. Staying hydrated is the best way to ensure your skin stays soft.
With these neat little tricks, you can get soft, smooth feet that are sure to look amazing in sandals or on the beach.
