Is it normal to have dry skin on your feet? NO!
Is it a sign of bad things? Maybe, maybe not!
Throughout my career, I have looked at the soles of thousands of feet. During patient examinations I often see dry skin somewhere on a patient’s sole.
One of the most common reasons for dry skin is simple neglect. I’d be kidding myself to think most people take as good care of their feet as they do for their hands. Honestly, feet are sometimes out of sight, out of mind. Sometimes they are just the last thing to think about in a busy rush of a day…until they start to hurt.
So, it’s my job to shed some light on the possible reasons and consequences for dry skin on your soles. Let’s start with athlete’s feet… dry flaky skin can easily be treated with antifungal medications. If left unchecked though, symptoms of burnings, itching, and/or subsequent bacterial infections can occur.
Xerosis is also quite common. It usually presents as dry, thickened skin on the bottom or back of the heels. Lots of people ignore it, but if left unchecked this thickened skin can start to form fissures which hurt or could get infected.
Peripheral vascular disease can also cause dry skin, which is a warning sign and risk factor for skin ulceration.
Poorly controlled Diabetes can mess up the little nerves that regulate natural moisture functions of skin leading to dryness as well.
If you have dry soles, please don’t ignore them. Treating this condition is a worthwhile endeavor even if it seems like no big deal.
If your hands were dry, you would fix them much sooner I bet. Do the same for your feet, they deserve it. Call Sohl Foot & Ankle at 267-699-3839 if any of this sounds familiar.
PHOTO CAP: This dry skin can start to crack, cause pain, and even get infected.