Table of contents:
- How to deal with chapped feet
- 1. Use a moisturizer and socks
- 2. Rub your feet with a pumice stone
- 3. Apply a keratolytic compound
- 4. Massage with oil
- 5. Use an oatmeal scrub
- 6. Consult a doctor
The skin on the soles of the feet is basically devoid of sweat glands. This of course causes the skin of the feet to be more prone to peeling and calluses. So, what can be done as a way to deal with chapped feet?
How to deal with chapped feet
Broken foot skin is a skin problem that often occurs in many people. This condition is caused by dry, peeling skin over the heel of the foot.
If left untreated, the skin around the feet, including the heels, will thicken and become dry, or it can be called callus.
Normally when you walk, the normal fat pad underneath the skin will evenly distribute the pressure. However, when the skin is too dry and thick, the heels will become peeled and cracked.
If the fragments are deep, they will cause pain when standing up. In fact, peeling skin on the feet can also cause cellulite. So that this doesn't drag on, there are various ways to treat chapped feet.
1. Use a moisturizer and socks
One way to deal with cracked skin on your feet is to use a moisturizing product. This should have been done a long time ago to avoid peeling skin on the feet.
Try to find a moisturizing cream that is thick and contains ingredients such as:
- shea butter,
- aloe vera gel, or
- petroleum jelly.
This means that the stickier and oilier the moisturizer texture is used, the better it is to heal dry and cracked skin on your feet. You only need to apply moisturizer every night before going to bed.
If possible, try wrapping it in socks to soak up the moisturizer overnight. Also, apply a moisturizer immediately after showering for best absorption results.
2. Rub your feet with a pumice stone
Apart from applying moisturizer, another way to treat chapped feet is to rub them with a pumice stone. Pumice stones have been known for a long time to smooth rough skin due to calluses.
Even so, this method is not recommended for people with diabetes or other neuropathic diseases. The reason is, pumice stones can injure the skin of the feet and risk causing infection.
Instead of using a pumice stone, consult a dermatologist or foot specialist to remove dead skin cells with appropriate treatment.
3. Apply a keratolytic compound
If the skin on your feet feels thick and peels off, applying keratolytics can actually help smooth the surface of the skin in that area.
Keratolytics are substances that can thin thickened skin. The way it works is to make the outermost layer of skin relax and help remove dead skin cells. That way, skin moisture is maintained.
Well, there are several compounds that fall into the keratolytic category, namely:
- alpha hydroxy acid (AHA),
- urea, and
- salicylic acid.
Generally, products containing keratolytics and humectants are considered the most useful. The reason is, both of them are moisturizing and treat dry and cracked skin.
4. Massage with oil
The best treatment for a cracked heel that is cracked is to keep the foot as much moisture as possible, and as quickly as possible. Even so, not all moisturizers work equally well.
Now, one of the “ointments” for cracked feet is oil. Oils tend to work better than lotions because they absorb into the skin more quickly.
You can use any oil, from olive oil to almond oil to coconut oil. You can also take advantage of vitamin E which can heal to prevent chapped feet.
How not, oil will help moisturize, while massage stimulates circulation to accelerate the healing of peeling skin.
How to use it:
- Oil your feet
- Gently massage the skin of the feet
- Do it every night before going to bed
5. Use an oatmeal scrub
Oatmeal has been used for a long time as a way to treat skin irritation and inflammation. Besides being eaten, you can also process it into a scrub for skin care, especially the skin of the broken feet.
This is probably because oatmeal contains polysaccharides that bind water and hydrocolloids that can hold skin moisture. In addition, the fat in oatmeal also increases emollient activity, which can relieve itching on dry skin.
How to use it:
- Mix 1 tablespoon of dry oats and 1 tablespoon of olive or almond oil
- Stir the olive oil and oats to form a paste
- Cover the leg with the oatmeal scrub
- Let stand for 30 minutes and rinse thoroughly
You can coat the thickened and peeling skin of the feet with oatmeal every other day until the symptoms improve.
6. Consult a doctor
If the above home remedies do not smooth the cracked heel of your foot, it's best to consult a doctor. Here are some types of treatments from doctors to treat peeling foot skin.
- Debridement, namely cutting thick and hard skin with scissors or a razor blade.
- Strapping, that is, wrapping cracked heels so they don't move much.
- Sol, that is, to provide cushioning for the heel so that the weight of the heel returns evenly and prevents the fat pad from expanding.
- 'Glue' specifically for joining the edges of the cracked skin.
Cracked heels can actually be treated easily at home with only moisturizers and products to smooth the skin. In addition, you need to take care of your skin, especially your feet and drink water to keep moisture from within.
Even so, people who suffer from certain health problems are not recommended to do the above treatments. It's a good idea to consult a doctor before trying to treat cracked skin at home.
If you have further questions, please discuss with a dermatologist or podiatrist (foot specialist) to find the right solution.
