What is dry skin?
Dry skin is very common, particularly on the bottom of the foot. A skin that is dry is one that is lacking in moisture, this means that the skin is no longer supple, is prone to cracks and may peel. A skin that is dry is therefore prone to infection, both fungal and bacterial as the cracks provide a portal of entry.
What causes dry skin?
Dry skin occurs when the outer layer of the epidermis (this is the top layer of the skin) becomes dehydrated. A dehydrated skin becomes less elastic and is therefore prone to split and crack.
Dry skin can occur for a number of reasons, including:
- Medication
- Athletes foot
- Too frequent washing
- Detergents
- Aging
- The weather
- Some medical conditions
What should I do if I have dry skin?
If your feet are dry then why not visit one of our podiatrists who will be able to remove the dry skin and offer you advice on how to rehydrate the new skin cells. It is important that the skin on your feet is hydrated in order to improve and maintain healthy feet