Why are my feet so dry? The answer can be complex depending on various factors affecting the skin. Dry feet are sometimes painful and debilitating, and the problem often worsens as you age. The dryness can also progress because of certain medical conditions and environmental factors, but thankfully, at-home remedies and moisturizing products can offer relief for people struggling with uncomfortably dry feet.

Why Are My Feet so Dry?

Dry skin is an issue people of all ages face. The causes can range from aging and genetic predisposition to dehydration and even wearing improper shoes. To help find a cure or at least prevent the pain or discomfort your dry feet may cause, you want to get to the root of the problem.

Common Causes of Dry Feet in People Over 50. Aging can affect your feet in several ways. Ligaments can stretch, causing the feet to flatten. Sometimes this causes pain in the arches as well.

However, one of the most common issues is dry skin, particularly around the soles of the feet. Potential causes include the following: Maintaining a proper foot care routine can become more challenging with age.

• Maintaining a proper foot care routine can become more challenging with age.
• The skin loses collagen as you age, weakening its ability to hold moisture.
• Mature skin produces less elastin and oil, making it drier.
• The risk for calluses and seborrheic keratosis, a condition that causes raised lesions on the toes, feet, and ankles, increases with age.

Fortunately, with adequate care and high-quality foot moisturizing products, you can often remedy these issues and reverse the damage dry skin can cause your feet. However, sometimes the problem requires medical intervention.

Medical Conditions That Can Cause Dry Feet

Have you ever asked your doctor, "Why are my feet so dry?" Too often, people assume the dry skin on their feet is only a side effect of not properly moisturizing. In fact, many medical conditions can cause damage to the feet that exceeds common dryness. They include:

• Diabetes: Failing to control diabetes adequately can result in neuropathy, a condition that can damage the nerves regulating oil production in the feet and cause dry, cracked skin. .
• Eczema: Dry, red, and itchy patches of skin, known as eczema, can occur anywhere on the body, including the feet. This condition can typically be easily managed, but it worsens if left untreated.
• Hypothyroidism: People with thyroid conditions sometimes suffer from dry feet because the thyroid cannot regulate the production of sweat in the feet.
• Psoriasis: Like eczema, psoriasis causes dry, flakey patches of skin anywhere on the body that can cause itching and discomfort. This condition is an autoimmune disease that requires medical care to regulate.
• Athlete's foot: Athlete's foot is a curable fungal infection commonly affecting the bottom of the foot and between the toes. It causes a dry, itchy rash that you can resolve with an over-the-counter treatment.

You may wonder, why are my feet so dry without an underlying medical condition? The short answer is that there are things in everyday life that can cause dry feet.

Everyday Factors Affecting Your Feet's Moisture

The weather can profoundly impact your skin. For example, you may notice that your hands and feet become extremely dry during the colder months when humidity decreases in the air. During that time of year, most people need to moisturize more often or use a more potent cream.

Similarly, wearing closed shoes during the warmer months can cause dryness. The heat causes sweat, reducing the moisture you hold in your feet, where you already have fewer oil glands. Moisturizing daily and wearing sandals can help.

Another common reason your feet may become dry over time is using the wrong kind of foot soap. Some body washes and lotions can contain harsh chemicals, often in fragrances, that can dry out the skin. Avoid products that contain parabens and try something with natural ingredients. For example,  Miracle Foot Repair Cream uses the moisturizing properties of aloe to nourish and restore your skin.

Why Are My Heels Cracked?

As your skin loses elasticity and moisture with age, the heels are often the first thing to callus and crack. Hot weather exacerbates this, and the skin can crack deep enough to bleed and even get infected when left untreated. If you find yourself asking, "Why are my feet so dry and my heels hurting regardless of my efforts to moisturize?" it is likely time to visit your podiatrist.

Remedies for Cracked Heels

The treatments for cracked heels vary depending on the severity of the damage. A podiatrist can remove the callus and identify potential issues causing your discomfort. If you have deep or infected cracks, they will apply an antiseptic liquid and instruct you to keep the skin safe while it heals. You can also use the  Miracle Heel Stick to prevent further damage after healing.

How Can I Remove Excessive Dead Skin on My Feet?

There are many methods for removing dead skin from the feet, depending on the amount of dead skin:

• Scrubbing with a pumice stone or foot cleaning brush: Soak your feet in warm water for a minimum of 10 minutes to soften the skin. If the dry skin is thick, soak longer. Then, gently move a foot brush, pumice stone or a foot file, such as the Pedifast 2-Sided Foot File, back and forth in all directions until you reach soft skin.
• Soaking with Epsom salt: You can also create an Epsom salt scrub by mixing it with a small amount of bath oil and applying it with a sponge or using a pumice stone to remove dead skin after your soak. .
• Dipping in paraffin wax: This is a common technique used in salons, and you can find at-home paraffin wax kits. They dip your feet in melted paraffin wax warmed just enough to melt the wax and not harm your skin. Then, they cover your feet in plastic until the wax dries, removing dead skin from your feet. Be mindful that this technique is not advisable for anyone with poor blood circulation, diabetic neuropathy, or an open sore or rash.
• Use an oatmeal scrub: Oatmeal is a natural exfoliate. Mix it with milk or rose water to create a paste, scrub your feet, and leave it to set for up to 20 minutes before rinsing.
• Shaving, for extreme cases: When the dead skin on your feet is so thick you cannot get through it with soaking and scrubbing, you may need to shave it off. This procedure is best left to professionals who know how to carefully avoid damaging healthy skin.

You can apply a foot lotion with quality ingredients such as aloe to lock in the moisture after employing any of these techniques. In addition, if you have chronic dryness or a condition that causes dry skin on your feet, seeking regular medical treatments could help alleviate the pain and discomfort.

What At-Home Remedies Can Help After Treatments at the Doctor's Office?

Your podiatrist can leave your feet feeling smooth and soft after a single treatment, but in a little while, you may be asking, "Why are my feet so dry again?" Dry skin is a condition that requires consistent care if you want to avoid painful cracking and potential infection. That is why your at-home care routine is vital to keeping your feet healthy and happy.

You can use several regular remedies and create a foot care set to help keep your feet moisturized and avoid the pains of dry, cracked heels. Most require dedication to daily care, but the results are worth the trouble. Using quality foot pain relief products is a good place to start.

Regular Foot Baths

Soaking your feet daily is not only a great way to keep the skin soft. It is also an excellent way to relax. You can purchase a foot bath machine and keep it in the living room by your favorite chair. Add oils or dry skin-removing agents to increase the benefits.

For example, virtually any type of vinegar, including  apple cider or white vinegar, can help break down dead skin for easy removal if you need regular upkeep. You can also add your favorite body oil to make the skin softer. However, avoid using water that is too cold or too hot. Both can exacerbate dry skin.

Hydration From the Inside Outward

Hydrating your skin is a process that works from the inside outward. Drinking plenty of water daily is a vital part of a healthy diet and is great for your skin. In addition, your doctor may prescribe certain supplements, such as  omega 3 fats, to help you produce more oils and keep your skin from drying out as quickly.

Why Are My Feet So Dry After Trying Everything?

Why are my feet so dry after doing everything possible to keep them soft and moisturized? This is a common question for people with mature skin. Investing in quality foot care products is the first step. Using them regularly is the second. Unfortunately, there is little you can do about losing moisture in your skin with aging, but you can take steps to protect your feet. For more creams and treatments to help restore dry skin on your feet and hands, check out the  available products at Miracle of Aloe. 

Use coupon code BFOOT10 to take 10% off Miracle Foot Repair (all sizes) Miracle Heel Stick, Clarke’s Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar and our Pedifast 2-Sided Foot File (excludes Omega 3 which is already 45% off)Expires March 13th.