It’s no wonder that dry skin (or anhidrosis) on the feet is one of the most common patient complaints, especially in Melbourne where our climate is drier and our choice of footwear in the summertime tends to be the Aussie classic: thongs.

Overly dry skin can not only be unsightly, itchy, and uncomfortable; dry skin can also be highly vulnerable to damage and infection — an unwelcome prospect for all especially compromised individuals, such as people living with diabetes and seniors. Contrary to conventional wisdom, thick and dry skin is actually brittle and can form cracks much more easily than soft, supple, well-hydrated skin.

If given the choice, many Podiatrists and patients will naturally reach for the lotion or foot cream designed to treat the most severe dry skin symptom — deeply cracked skin and heels. After all, if a formula is designed to transform painful, deep heel fissures, it will certainly deliver the fastest, most intense hydration to very dry or rough, sandpaper-like skin without cracks, right? Not necessarily. If there is an overlying layer of hard skin (callus), this can make it more difficult for the lotion or foot cream to absorb and be effective.

Cracked Heels

It’s impossible to miss deeply cracked heels and fissures. These deep splits in the skin can be painful and may even bleed. What’s the cause? Dry feet, coupled with various factors such as poor circulation, obesity, poorly fitting shoes and/or other lifestyle factors, such as standing for long periods of time, all contribute to the formation of heel cracks and fissures. As we stand, our body weight applies constant pressure on the fat pads of the heel, causing the skin to expand. And if the skin is really dry, it lacks the elasticity to accommodate the expansion—causing the skin to split.

A good heel balm such as our Restorate Revive Extra Strength Foot and Heel Balm with 30% Urea can be the perfect accompaniment to your regular Podiatry visits to help manage your cracked heels. Urea, which is the active ingredient in this foot and heel balm, is what makes this formulation ideal for breaking down the hard and tough keratin bonds that make up the majority of dry cracked skin. This, in turn, allows the body’s natural process of sloughing off dead skin to take over and resume the process of keeping your feet healthy and smooth.

Dry Feet

Dry, flaky skin that is rough and scratchy but not yet cracked is typically just that—dehydrated skin. Lifestyle factors, such as medical conditions, bad shoes, and rigorous exercise are frequently the cause, as well as environmental factors such as dry indoor heating or prolonged exposure to the sun. While still unsightly and sometimes uncomfortable, even very dry skin does not require cracked heel or fungal treatment. Here, our Restorate Intensive Foot Balm is just the thing you need to rejuvenate the skin on your feet to keep them healthy and happy.

Calluses

Hard and thickened skin often is a result of pressure and abrasion on specific spots on the foot. Causes often range from lifestyle factors such as spending long hours on your feet, as well as, ill-fitting or unsupportive footwear that doesn't adequately spread out our body weight across the feet. This, in combination with a poor moisturising regimen, can lead to the body's natural process of shedding and renewing skin being impaired leading to this hard skin building up and becoming thicker and harder over time. A combination of our range of Restorate foot moisturisers and better more supportive footwear can often be what is needed to curb and stop callus formation.
When in doubt, why not book a FREE 15 min video chat with one of our lovely Podiatrists?

Looking forward to seeing you!

Jaspreet (Podiatrist)