After the sea the skin will peel off your toes


Causes of dry skin on the feet, cracks

Everyone knows that the appearance of the epidermis reflects the internal state of the body. Dry foot skin is an indicator of many problems. This is not just a cosmetic flaw. There are many reasons for the appearance of dryness and flaking - from the characteristics of the body to diseases. Thus, tightness and cracks in the skin of the legs can be caused by:

  • External exposure: due to walking on hot sand at the beach or staying indoors with extremely dry air, as well as open sandals in summer.
  • Wearing tight, comfortable shoes, which impairs blood circulation in the tissues.
  • Constant contact with detergents containing a lot of alkali.
  • Too tight and thick socks, tights, leggings.
  • As a result of being in the cold, when blood circulation is again impaired.
  • Frequent hair removal, especially without subsequent moisturizing and treating the skin.
  • Hard and chlorinated tap water.
  • Over 40 years of age, as gradually the amount of hyaluronic acid, elastin and collagen is produced less and less. The skin becomes thinner and cannot moisturize on its own.
  • Diabetes mellitus.
  • Skin diseases such as psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema.
  • Deficiency of vitamins and microelements.
  • Disturbances in the functioning of the thyroid gland.
  • Metabolic disorders.

Of course, you shouldn’t panic and think that dry skin on your feet indicates serious illness. Each ailment has a number of direct signs, and tightness of the epidermis on the legs can act as an additional symptom or as a consequence. On the other hand, it is worth thinking about the state of your health if such a problem is constantly present. It is possible that it will be possible to prevent the development of a dangerous disease at an early stage.

Cosmetology expertAlso often, dry skin on the feet is the result of a negligent attitude towards oneself and one’s appearance. This is especially true for people over 40, 45 years old. Insufficient skin care provokes violations in the integrity of the integument. The older a person gets, the more careful self-care should be. Now you can’t do without special procedures and means.

Dry skin on toes: causes

Dry skin on the toes may result from:

  • wearing synthetic clothing - tights, socks made of synthetic or woolen materials serve as a strong irritant,
  • tight shoes, rubber soles/boots, the use of artificial materials in the manufacture of shoes - blood circulation is impaired,
  • using regular soap for foot hygiene,
  • ignoring the need to moisturize the skin of the feet and toes.

Toes can actively dry out at the age of 40 years and older - this is a natural phenomenon that is associated with the aging of the epidermis and the entire body as a whole.

Dermatologists separately consider fungal diseases - most often they cause excessive dryness of the fingers on the lower extremities. This may be the first sign of a developing pathology; later other, more pronounced symptoms will be added to it.

If the skin on your legs is dry and itchy in winter

If in winter the skin on your legs becomes excessively dry and itchy, then you first need to rule out a fungal disease. Next, it’s worth reviewing the algorithms for performing hygiene procedures, because foot care continues regardless of the time of year:

  • washing feet using soft gels,
  • weekly skin scrubbing,
  • use of moisturizing creams.

dry skin on feet

Itching on dry skin is a sign of irritation; you need to look for a provoking factor: staying indoors for a long time in winter shoes, excessive sweating of the feet, wearing low-quality shoes, synthetic socks, and so on.

Dry and itchy feet

If your feet itch and dry at any time of the year, you will need the help of a dermatologist - most likely a fungal disease will be diagnosed. You can become infected with it on the beach and in a bathhouse, swimming pool, walking barefoot on the floor, or wearing open shoes. The fungus can occur in different stages, but its symptoms most often are:

  • excessive dryness of the feet and toes of the lower extremities,
  • itching is often unbearable,
  • the appearance of weeping lesions - especially often noted in the space between the fingers,
  • the presence of small rashes,
  • burning in places of increased concentration of manifestations of fungal infection.

dry skin on feet

Only antimycotic (antifungal) therapy will help solve the problem, which is selected by the doctor depending on the type of fungus affecting the patient’s skin.

Dry skin on the foot near the bone

Near the bone (the area of ​​the first/thumb or ankle), the skin may dry out due to:

  • wearing too tight, narrow shoes,
  • the use of low-quality clothing made from synthetic materials,
  • development of fungal diseases,
  • progression of psoriasis,
  • insufficient intake of vitamins into the body.

dry skin on feet

The problem can be solved by getting rid of provoking factors, at the same time taking vitamin complexes and carrying out hygienic and caring procedures strictly in accordance with the recommendations of a dermatologist.

Dry skin anywhere on the legs can be associated with poor nutrition - too strict a diet or, on the contrary, eating only harmful foods leads to metabolic disorders; insufficient oxygen and vitamins/minerals are supplied to the cells of the organs and skin, which is a provoking factor.

Folk remedies to combat peeling skin

olive oil

If the skin peels off between your toes, you can eliminate the pathology using folk remedies. This is a very reasonable decision, because most medications have contraindications for use, and traditional medicine, as a rule, is based on herbal components.

The skin on your toes will regain its former health if treated with olive oil mixed with tea tree oil. Tea tree has anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties, so it will disinfect the epidermis, and olive oil will saturate it with essential microelements and soothe irritation.

In order to get rid of the top flaky layer, you can use a treasure made from crushed oatmeal and soda. After the components are mixed together, they are applied to the skin between the fingers, already moistened with water, and massaged. After the procedure, the skin is treated with butter and honey.

The easiest way to moisturize the dry, flaky skin between your fingers is to rub it with cucumber or aloe pulp.

If you encounter a fungus between your fingers that causes peeling, chop the garlic and apply the paste to the affected area for twenty minutes. It is important not to overdo it, as there is a risk of getting burned. If you do everything correctly, your skin will recover after just three procedures.

Consequences

However, dry skin on the feet is not only a visual, cosmetic drawback. Over time, cracks may form in the epidermis. And any violation of integrity is an excellent conductor for infection. Healthy, moisturized skin serves as an excellent protective barrier against bacteria and fungi. Therefore, dryness is often accompanied by itching, flaking and various diseases.

In addition, corns, calluses and other formations begin to appear. Also, dryness and cracks cause physical discomfort and pain when walking. And finally, in appearance, such legs look unattractive and unkempt. Wearing tights and socks and open shoes becomes uncomfortable.

dry skin on the feet

Causes of dry skin on heels

Poorly chosen shoes are a common cause of dry skin on the heels. Inconvenient lasts, high heels, mismatched sizes - all this can cause roughness.

Insufficient care is another reason why the skin of the feet and heels dries out. Untimely pedicures and irregular use of nourishing creams lead to cracking of the skin on the feet and discomfort.

Fungal infections can also cause problems with dry, itchy, and cracked heels in men and women.

In diseases of the internal organs, dry heels often occur; the reason lies in metabolic disorders. Psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, allergies, diabetes mellitus are the culprits that cause the skin to crack and peel.

Lack of iron can also cause the problem. Especially often, for this reason, the heels of women dry out (due to heavy monthly blood loss and developed anemia).

  • Poor diet and insufficient water intake directly affect foot health
  • Problems may be associated with a lack of vitamins A and E
  • Another factor why heels become rough is dry air.

Dry skin on legs: what to do

If the skin on your legs has become excessively dry, then you need to do the following:

  1. Visit a dermatologist and find out if there is any disease. If a pathology is diagnosed, then a course of treatment is first carried out, then the process of caring for the skin of the feet is adjusted.
  2. Eliminate all provoking factors - change socks/stockings/tights to products made from natural materials, if possible, get rid of too tight/narrow shoes.
  3. If the problem appears in the spring, then you need to pay attention to your diet and introduce more fresh vegetables and fruits into it. An alternative is to take a course of vitamin complexes.
  4. Provide the proper level of hydration to the skin. This can be done at home with baths, natural masks and homemade cream.

Watch this video on how to prepare a compress for dry skin on your feet:

Why do your heels peel and what should you do if the skin on your feet peels off?

Peeling heels are not a very good or pleasant sensation. And all women will agree with this. And if it’s summer outside and it’s just the right time to wear open sandals, then it’s doubly offensive. Outwardly, it does not look aesthetically pleasing at all - flaky, dry skin that peels off, cracks appear, and the heel becomes rough and rough. Any woman faced with such a problem asks herself the question: why did this happen, how to stop this process and how to deal with it? Below we will describe the main causes of peeling heels and options for eliminating this problem.

How to treat to make your legs beautiful

It is necessary to approach the elimination of this defect extremely responsibly. It is necessary to use special products and carry out care procedures, just like face cream. First of all, for treatment you should contact a specialist, namely a dermatologist. The doctor will develop a treatment strategy.

Typically, there are four steps to restore skin hydration:

  • Organize proper foot care. It is precisely because of the neglect of this part of the body that all the problems appear. This includes both the use of nourishing and moisturizing products and the choice of quality clothing and shoes made from natural materials.
  • Regular cleansing procedures. Once a week it is necessary to exfoliate the skin and dead cells by scrubbing with special products or folk recipes. This also includes peeling and regular pedicures.

dry skin on feet

  • Following the principles of proper and balanced nutrition. As already mentioned in the causes of dry feet, lack of vitamins and minerals is an important factor. Therefore, you need to be careful when choosing your diet. It is worth paying more attention to vegetables and fruits, grains, and protein products. And exclude fast food and processed foods, soda, and alcohol.
  • It is even possible to drink a special vitamin complex. However, you shouldn’t do this all the time, since hypervitaminosis is also extremely dangerous for health.

Traditional methods

To get your feet in order, you don’t have to empty the shelves of expensive cosmetic products. There are simple folk ways to combat dry skin on the feet. You can take care of your feet using the following methods:

  • Arrange regular baths. The use of infusions with medicinal herbs helps eliminate the symptoms of dryness. They heal cracks, soothe itching and eliminate flaking. Home treatments for feet can be done with rosemary and wormwood, which perfectly refresh and normalize blood flow, mint to relieve irritation, sage, oak bark, chamomile and calendula, which relieve inflammation and itching.
  • You can also add various oils to the baths, which perfectly moisturize the skin. Essential oils of grapefruit, lavender, neroli, patchouli and ylang-ylang work well.
  • Baths with sea salt, soda and iodine restore the balance of minerals in the skin and moisture. They also help fight fungus and inflammation.

dry skin on legs

After home treatments, it is necessary to nourish and moisturize the skin. You can prepare very effective remedies yourself:

  • Children's cream with vitamins A and E. In a non-metallic container, mix the required amount of the product with oil solutions of capsules, as well as a couple of drops of glycerin. After application, feet can be wrapped in film.
  • Essential oils of neroli, patchouli or lavender are added to the cream. The mixture cannot be stored; it must be prepared before application.
  • Olive, peach, coconut, grape seed, wheat germ, apricot, and castor oils are perfect for moisturizing. You can use them to make masks at night. The oil is distributed over the skin of the foot, a bag or film is put on, and a sock is placed on top. In the morning, rub in the remaining mask using massage movements.
  • A folk moisturizing mask helps improve skin condition. It is prepared from your favorite fat cream, grated potatoes, egg white, and butter. All ingredients are mixed in a non-metallic container and applied to the feet for 20, 30 minutes. After rinsing, you need to moisturize the skin.

dry skin on the feet

An important point is peeling and scrubbing the epidermis. It should be carried out dry, because this way the skin is less injured and more keratinized cells are exfoliated.

Pharmacy products

For those who don’t like the hassle of cooking on their own, you can turn to store-bought products. The most popular and effective are:

  • Cream Healer with urea from Old recipes. The product does not cause allergies, perfectly softens the skin and heals cracks. Thanks to tea tree oil, it relieves inflammation.
  • Cream care from Natura Siberica. The composition contains natural ingredients, herbal extracts, and vitamins. The product restores the epidermis and heals calluses.
  • Cream with sage and linseed oil from Green Mama. The product softens the skin well, nourishes, and reduces cracks, especially after peeling and steam baths.
  • Mint balm from BodyShop. The cream not only moisturizes the skin, but thanks to fruit acids it exfoliates cells.
  • Foot balm from Himalaya Herbals. The product has emollient and anti-inflammatory properties thanks to the turmeric in its composition.
  • Caudalie cream will help maintain beautiful skin in excellent condition.
  • Bepanthen and D-panthenol help soften and heal cracked heels.

dry skin on feet

Simple pharmaceutical products include oil capsules of vitamins A and E, liquid glycerin and castor oil, which can be applied either independently or added to your favorite cream.

Cream for dry feet

The cream should not only solve the problem of dry feet, but also have wound-healing, nourishing and immunostimulating effects. The following remedies are considered the most popular and effective :

“Cream against dry calluses” from the Belarusian manufacturer Belita-Vitex The composition contains urea, glycolic acid, tea tree oil, glycerin and salicylic acid. It can cause a severe allergic reaction, but it perfectly moisturizes and nourishes the skin of the feet.

Can be used at the initial stage of dryness, with active peeling of the skin and the presence of cracks, as a preventive measure. The first results are noticeable within 3-5 days

Planeta Organica Foot Cream with Organic Shea Butter Optimal for daily use on a regular basis, it contains shea butter, which moisturizes and nourishes the skin. Recommended for the prevention and treatment of the initial stage of dry feet.

Absolutely useless for existing cracks. Apply a thin layer to cleansed feet, lightly rub into the skin, and put socks on top. The procedure is performed in the evening before bedtime

“Active foot care cream” from Natura Siberica The composition of the product is multi-component: panthenol, vitamin E, chamomile flower extract, urea, linoleic acid and other ingredients.

It has a comprehensive preventive and therapeutic effect, can be used in the presence of deep cracks and a layer of rough skin.

The cream slightly cools the feet, so it should be used not only at night, but also immediately after a working day - lightness will appear in the lower extremities

"Gehwol Med" A medicinal cream designed to treat very rough skin (if it prevents you from even putting on thin socks/stockings).

The composition contains vitamins, bisabolol, fats; in combination, these ingredients relieve pain, have a disinfectant effect, and soften the skin.

The medicinal cream cannot be used for a long course. According to the instructions, they lubricate the feet and the space between the toes 2 times a day for 3 weeks.

The anti-dry foot product should be used in daily care; there are no restrictions on the duration of therapy.

How to moisturize your feet at home with affordable means

You can moisturize your feet at home using folk remedies:

  • Homemade cream: in a ceramic or glass bowl combine camphor alcohol (30 ml), ghee (50 g), chicken yolk (2 pieces), castor and olive oil in equal quantities (3 tablespoons each), 3% boric acid acid (1 teaspoon).
  • The resulting mass is heated in a water bath until all the ingredients are mixed (about 10-15 minutes). Then 100 ml of a strong decoction of chamomile flowers is added to the cream. The finished product is cooled and stored in a cool place for no longer than 20 days. Apply the cream daily.
  • Apple mask . You need to take 1 large apple of any variety and, without removing the peel, cut into slices. Place everything in a metal bowl and pour in milk so that every piece is covered with it. Cook everything over low heat for 20-30 minutes - the result should be a mushy mass.
  • It is applied to the skin of the feet (preliminarily cleaned), everything is covered with polyethylene or cling film and a towel. After half an hour, the excess is removed with a napkin; there is no need to wash your feet. This mask should be done at least 2 times a week; after the procedure, wear thin cotton socks.

dry skin on feet

  • "Soap" mask . You need to combine 1 chicken yolk, 2 teaspoons of raw grated potatoes (on a fine grater), 1 teaspoon of softened butter and 4 teaspoons of regular toilet/baby soap (grate on a fine grater). Mix everything thoroughly and apply to the surface of the feet, in the space between the toes. Cellophane bags and warm woolen socks are put on top. Leave the mask for 30 minutes, then wash off with warm water.

This remedy will give a positive effect only if used regularly - at least 2 times a week. After the procedure, apply moisturizer to your feet and toes and wear thin socks.

Vitamins for the skin of the feet

The following vitamins will help solve the problem of dry feet:

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)Increases general and local immunity, reduces the intensity of pigmentation, promotes the production of own collagen by skin cells. You can take it in its “pure” form or make up for its lack with food - citrus fruits, kiwi, currants, all varieties of cabbage.
Tocopherol (vitamin E)It has a complex effect on the skin and is included in most cosmetic care products. It is maximally contained in vegetable oils, so you can regularly lubricate the skin of your feet with this product and include it in the menu instead of animal fats.
Panthenol (vitamin B5)It has wound-healing properties and helps well with excessive dryness of the feet, when deep cracks have already formed on the surface. It can be purchased in pharmacies and included in homemade masks; it is present in nuts, river/sea fish, and chicken yolks.
Biotin (vitamin H)Its quality characteristics are superior to vitamin E, moisturizes and nourishes the skin. Contained in large quantities in cauliflower, poultry liver, mushrooms and broccoli.

If there is a problem with dry feet, then it is worth choosing cosmetics to care for them with the listed vitamins in their composition.

Dermatologists recommend taking vitamins when caring for dry skin on your feet. This will have a complex effect on the body, which will give the most positive effect.

Foot baths for dryness

As part of the care for dry skin of the feet, you can and should use baths, because they relax, relieve fatigue, have a beneficial effect on the upper layers of the dermis, and if the problem is in the initial stages of development, then you can do without creams, masks and vitamin therapy. The simplest and most effective are:

  • Salt bath . You need to heat 2 liters of water until almost hot, dissolve 1/2 cup of sea salt in it and add 15 drops of lavender essential oil to the solution. The feet are immersed in the water for 15-20 minutes; if there are calluses, corns or areas of rough skin on the feet, then after the specified time they can be removed with a pumice stone.
  • Soda bath . Dissolve 4 tablespoons of baking soda in 2 liters of hot water and add juice from half a lemon to the solution. The duration of feet in the water is 15 minutes. If there are deep cracks in the feet, this can cause mild pain and burning, but after 2-3 procedures the discomfort disappears.
  • Onion bath . You need to take 1 onion, grind it in a blender and combine with 2 tablespoons of table salt. The resulting pulp is added to hot water (2 liters), and 15 drops of rosemary, fir or rose essential oils are added. The procedure takes 10 minutes.

Regardless of which bath recipe is chosen for the procedure, you need to thoroughly wipe your feet and the space between your toes and treat them with moisturizer. This method of eliminating dry feet is used 3 times a week.

Watch this video about foot care:

Ointment for dry skin of feet

If we talk not about cosmetics, but about medicinal products against dry skin of the feet, then it is worth using the following pharmaceutical ointments:

  • "Radevit" contains a large amount of vitamins and natural oils, which together soften, moisturize and nourish excessively dry skin of the feet. The ointment promotes rapid healing of cracks, so it can be used for such wounds. The product has a powerful therapeutic effect, so it can be used for no more than 15 days in a row (treatment course).

Simultaneously with Radevit, you cannot undergo a course of antibiotic therapy with tetracycline drugs, or take vitamin complexes during the course.

  • "Cleona" , a bright yellow ointment, which is used for medicinal purposes for a short course - no longer than 21 days. Apply a thin layer and always wear cotton socks on top. The course of treatment is best carried out in the cold season, because the skin of the feet turns yellow. The first results are noticeable almost on the 2-3rd day of use, but the course of treatment cannot be interrupted.

dry skin on feet

How to deal with peeling yourself

We have figured out the causes of peeling. But women are much more interested in the question of how to deal with this trouble. We will talk about this below. Once again, I would like to note that if the cause of peeling is still unclear, you should consult a doctor.

  1. First of all, take care of good shoes that allow air to pass through and

allows the skin to breathe. Socks and tights should also be made of breathable natural fabric. You should not walk barefoot, as this increases peeling. Regular socks will prevent your heels from getting too rough.

  1. Choose a good vitamin complex. The body will receive the necessary vitamins and the skin will become better. In addition, you will support your immune system and get rid of other problems caused by vitamin deficiency.
  2. You need to take care of your feet daily. Make it a rule to pay attention to your feet every day, smear them with softening, moisturizing creams, and make foot baths with sea salt. Regular foot care is the most important rule. Use special exfoliating products and high-quality heel files. You can find good time-tested traditional medicine recipes that will help your legs look great.
  3. Now there are Japanese-made pedicure socks on sale, which are highly praised by women. The socks contain lactic acid, which acts as a good peeling. After using the socks, the skin comes off the feet on its own.

If you take all these measures together and regularly, then your heels and feet will quickly acquire an aesthetic appearance. It will be much easier for you to take care of your feet if you do this on an ongoing basis.

Treatment of dry feet

Often, excessive dryness of the feet is the first sign of a developing pathology in the body, so if the problem persists, you should definitely seek help from a doctor who, depending on the diagnostic data, may prescribe:

  • Taking complexes of vitamins and minerals if a decrease/weakening of immunity or a lack of certain substances in the body is detected.
  • Insulin in tablets or injections, which solves endocrine problems - in particular, dry feet can be caused by diabetes.
  • Complex use of external remedies for psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other dermatological diseases.

Full treatment will not work unless the diet is corrected. Experts will immediately give recommendations regarding the inclusion of vegetables, fruits, bird liver, fatty sea fish, and nuts in the menu. These products contain most of the vitamins and minerals that are responsible for the water balance in the body and, in particular, on the skin.

We recommend reading about paraffin baths for hands and feet. From the article you will learn about the principle of action of paraffin baths, their benefits for the skin of the hands and feet, and recipes at home.

Read more about the exfoliating foot mask here.

The skin of the feet needs the same constant and careful care as any other part of the body. Beautiful and moisturized legs will give self-confidence to every woman. Particular attention to this area should be paid to ladies after 40, then the gait will always be light and flying.

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