If you’re one of the millions of people suffering from dry skin on your feet (Xerosis), you’ll know how debilitating and painful the condition can be.
It is estimated that up to 29% of adults suffer from Xerosis at some point during their working lives. But the condition is most prevalent in the elderly, with 90% of people over the age of 80 developing it.
The causes of dry skin include taking hot showers, over-aggressive soap, the menopause and eczema. The condition may also develop as a side effect of taking some medications including statins. Unfortunately, these are often difficult to avoid in everyday life. But don’t worry, as there are a few simple treatments which you can apply at home to help to alleviate the condition.
How to treat dry skin
Some emollients/moisturisers can soften the skin if applied regularly. But if you have dry or cracked skin, applying moisturiser can cause some discomfort. You can reduce this sensation by applying moisturiser when the skin is wet.
It's a good idea to get into the routine of applying moisturiser after bathing when the skin is clean and damp. For mildly dry skin apply around 4g of moisturiser per day. For very dry skin apply up to 8g of moisturiser. (One pump of the dispenser equals 1g of emollient.)
When applying the emollient try to avoid rubbing it into the skin aggressively. This will agitate the condition and may cause some discomfort. Instead, apply the solution with a spatula and spread it like butter on toast.
In extreme cases where the skin is very itchy, a topical steroid cream which contains up to 1% hydrocortisone can help. Ask your pharmacist or podiatrist to recommend a cream that will work for you.
Also, when looking for a moisturiser try to avoid products which contain Sodium Lauryl Sulphate. This removes the skin's natural protective barrier increasing the risk of infection and heightening the skin's sensitivity.
Your podiatrist can help
You don’t have to suffer from painful cracked skin. The feet experts at our Perth podiatrist practice are trained to treat Xerosis using a range of treatments which can help alleviate the condition. So book a consultation at Melville Wellness Centre today and our podiatrists will create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
