Dry Feet – Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment

Dry skin on the feet can be an indication of insufficient hydration and is characterized by itchy, irritated skin on the feet, heel, and toes. Early stages of dry feet will likely involve flaking, with later stages leading to hardened callouses over time. It can be caused by a number of factors which leave our feet struggling to hold onto moisture or receive it in the first place. 

Learn more about what causes dry feet, how to reduce the symptoms, and prevent your feet from becoming dry in the first place. 

Dry skin on feet can occur for a number of reasons, including reaction to topical irritants, climate, diet, and physical stress. 

While hygiene can play a role, over-washing can also trigger dry feet, due to the potential for irritation from soaps and detergents and the oil-stripping effect of exposure to hot water. 

Individual skin types will impact how dry the skin on your feet is. As we age, our skin also becomes thinner and less elastic. On our feet, the fat pad that protects the sole of our foot also becomes thinner, resulting in increased skin pressure which can cause a build-up of dry skin. 

Here are some common contributing factors to dry feet: 

• Walking barefoot - when you walk without sufficient cushioning, you are putting your feet through extra pressure and friction, which can cause calluses to form over time. The lack of barrier between the feet and external elements also allows moisture and oils to escape more easily. 
• Climate - in climates with low humidity, moisture can evaporate from the skin, causing feet to become dehydrated. Similarly, hotter climates may increase the chances of dehydration which can deplete moisture from the body and feet.  
• Diet - diets lacking specific vitamins or other nutrients may lead to dehydration of skin and feet. 
• Poorly fitting shoes - ill-fitting shoes may put pressure on feet or cause chafing. This can lead to blisters, corns or calluses as well as strip the protective moisture barrier of the feet, resulting in a dry or rough texture.  
• Exposure to hot water – as with the skin on our face, hot water can be stripping to feet as well, affecting the skin’s moisture barrier and ability to hold onto skin moisture.  
• Excessive use of soaps and detergents - these products can strip moisture from your feet and, when used in excess, can also damage the skin’s moisture barrier. 
• Topical cosmetic skincare products - these might cause irritation, causing a moisture and oil imbalance on the skin of your feet. Over time your feet might struggle to regain this balance. 
• Aging - decreased circulation, thinning skin, and drop in oil production all come with aging and can also make moisture maintenance harder for our skin. 
• Smoking - cigarettes leads to blood vessel constriction and consequently, a decrease in blood circulation. This might prevent adequate nutrients and oxygen from reaching the feet to keep them hydrated and healthy.  

Certain health concerns could be another explanation for dry skin on feet. For example, Eczema: a common skin complaint with over seven different types that cause the skin to become dry, itchy, inflamed or have a rash-like appearance, may need a specific treatment  

An underlying skin condition may be causing your dry feet, in which case it is always advisable to get them checked out by your doctor or podiatrist. Dry feet could be a symptom of one of the following: 

• Athlete’s foot: a fungal condition which causes an itchy or burning rash and peeling of skin on your feet 
• Eczema: a common skin complaint with over seven different types that cause the skin to become itchy, inflamed or have a rash like appearance 
• Psoriasis: an autoimmune disorder often associated with a red, scaly rash 
• Hypothyroidism: a thyroid disorder which can cause dry and scaly skin on your body and feet 
  
• Diabetes: a metabolic disease which can result in very dry, peeled and cracked skin in the feet 
  
• Dietary deficiency: certain conditions such as Crohns disease or Celiac disease may cause the body to be deficient in certain essential fatty acids and vitamins causing dry, flaky skin 

If you are concerned that you may be experiencing any of the above health conditions, be sure to contact your physician or a medical professional for advice. 

The best way to help dry skin on feet is with skin hydration. You’ll want to supply your feet with plenty of moisture which can be locked in without evaporating. Ointments or creams work well as they are thicker and help lock the moisture into the skin.

This moisturizing foot cream exfoliates and intensely moisturizes very dry, rough feet, providing daily care for cracked heels. Its formula is enriched with 10% Urea and Ceramides and is clinically proven to immediately relieve very dry, rough skin for 48 hours. This foot cream strengthens the skin’s natural moisture barrier and provides moisture to even the most severely chapped and dry skin, leaving feet feeling smooth and soft. 

Hardened skin can start to act as a barrier, potentially stopping topical products from providing moisture to the skin. If you have developed hardened skin or calluses on your feet, you might want to remove these first so that the foot moisturizers can moisturize skin. You can do this by exfoliating your feet following the guidelines below.  

If your feet are cracked, visibly inflamed, and/or bleeding, please consult with a doctor prior to exfoliating.  

Here’s how to effectively exfoliate dry feet: 

1. Start by soaking feet in warm soapy water to soften and prep skin. You could add Epsom salts to help with this. Let them soak for 10-15 minutes to help loosen as much of the built-up dead skin as possible. 
2. After patting your feet dry, go in with a foot scrub which contains some sort of mild abrasive that is suitable for dead skin such as salt or sugar, or gently use a pumice stone. Use circular motions to gently remove softened dead skin, before rinsing away and patting dry again. Be sure to work around the whole foot as people with dry feet often have dry skin on toes as well.  
3. Be sure to follow up with a nourishing foot cream for dry skin to replenish any lost hydration and help prevent dry skin from coming back. Ensure the foot moisturizer used is formulated to be appropriate for dry feet and reapply as necessary. If using Eucerin Complete Repair Moisturizing Foot Cream with 10% Urea and Ceramides, your feet will enjoy the additional power of chemical exfoliation combined with intense moisture.  

Equally important to addressing dry feet is to help prevent dryness from recurring. You’ll want to reduce any factors which could be causing your dry feet. 

• Check your shoes: ensure that your shoes fit adequately and aren’t putting pressure on areas of your foot. Sometimes you may need to buy differently sized shoes or add an insole to cushion the foot and prevent excessive friction or pressure.  
• Stay consistent: if you know you suffer from dry skin on feet, ensure to continue using moisturizer every day. 
• Drink water: drinking plenty of water will help eliminate general dehydration as a potential cause for the problem. A humidifier can also help to add moisture to particularly dry environments which can help keep dry skin hydrated. 
• Don’t scratch: though it may be tempting, try not to scratch your feet as this can worsen the issue.  

Untreated dry skin on the feet can eventually become more severe and lead to cracking. If your feet are cracked or visibly inflamed, be sure to seek the guidance of a doctor for treatment. Don’t forget that aside from being a condition in itself, dry feet can also be a symptom of a more serious health problem. It is therefore important to see a doctor if the issue persists, to find out if it is indicative of other underlying health issues.  

The information provided herein is not intended to be medical advice. Nor is it intended to treat the underlying skin disease or condition. The information is provided solely to: 

1. Moisturize, soften and smooth dry skin 
2. Improve the appearance of the skin 
3. Achieve healthier-looking skin