Introduction
Dry, cracked, or rough feet is a common issue. The skin on the feet undergoes natural exfoliation by forming surface dead cells. Continuous friction while walking or running and constantly encasing the feet within the socks or shoes accelerates dead skin accumulation on the foot. Mechanical scrubbing or exfoliation removes the dead skin. It mainly appears between the toes, on the foot side, or the heels.
What Causes Dead Foot Skin?
Dead skin on the foot can be caused by multiple factors, some of which are listed below.
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Lack of oil glands on the sole and heel of the feet makes it dry and cracked.
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Ill-fitting footwear causes an imbalance while standing or walking, causing cracks and calluses.
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Ill-fitting shoes or socks apply pressure and friction on specific areas of the feet, accumulating dead skin.
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The extreme humidity on the skin of the feet while wearing shoes or socks is when the moisture is drawn from the skin. This makes the skin dry and irritated.
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Not scrubbing or exfoliating the foot skin also leads to dead skin accumulation.
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While washing the feet, excess soap materials may remain, leading to irritation and dead skin formation.
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Choosing foot care products unsuitable for one’s skin type can also worsen the condition.
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Aging leads to intense drying of foot skin, leading to the surface accumulation of dead skin on the foot.
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Diabetic neuropathy is a complication of diabetes (a metabolic condition where the blood glucose level increases). In the case of diabetic neuropathy, the circulation gets impaired. This will also affect the secretion of oil from the glands, making the skin dry.
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Dead skin formation on foot may also be due to fungal infections like athlete's foot or skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, where dry skin patches develop on the skin anywhere on the body, including the foot.
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The sweat glands of the feet get affected in individuals with hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland). This makes the feet dry.
How to Remove Dead Skin From Feet?
The following steps can remove dead skin from the foot:
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Exfoliation: Removal of dead skin from the skin's surface is called exfoliation. Exfoliation can be physically done with the help of scrubs, brushes, or other tools like callus remover. Foot scrubs are readily available in the markets. They are gel, cream, or oil-based products that contain different-sized granules. When applied and scrubbed on the skin surface, foot scrubs remove the dead and dry skin and make the surface soft and smooth.
Foot scrubs can also be made at home using readily available ingredients used for cooking, like sugar, coffee, lemon, honey, and others. Exfoliation can also be done using chemical products like foot liquids or lotion. When applied to the skin, it dissolves dead cells and removes them. Peel-off liquids are also available in the markets that will peel the outer skin of the foot, leaving behind a smooth surface. Using loofah or body brushes will also help exfoliate the skin surface.
Dead skin cells from the feet can be removed by filing using a pumice stone or foot files. This will be easier if the foot is soaked in warm water. The pumice stone or the foot file should be used on the skin in a circular or back-and-forth motion. The skin should then be washed thoroughly and patted dry. A foot soak will help loosen the dead skin from the foot, making its removal easier. Adding honey, vinegar, Epsom salt, lemon juice, or essential oils to warm water makes an effective foot soak.
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Moisturization: Moisturizing the foot skin regularly will reduce dry feet. After exfoliation, the foot should be moisturized thoroughly. Moisturization locks the skin’s moisture and makes the skin moist and supple. It also aids in removing the existing dead cells. Gel-lined socks are also available for this purpose. These socks have gels containing oils, vitamins, and other essential elements that repair dead and dry skin from the feet.
How to Prevent Dead Cell Accumulation on the Foot?
The following measures can prevent dead skin accumulation on the foot:
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The foot should be washed and cleaned regularly. Every individual has a different type of skin. Suitable soap should be used to wash the foot gently. This is the primary step of foot hygiene. After cleaning, the foot should be pat dry.
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Loose or tight-fitting footwear damages the foot skin. Scales will be available in the footwear shops to help determine the correct foot size. This will be beneficial in choosing the footwear that fits correctly. Ill-fitting footwear can lead to friction injuries and drying of the foot skin.
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Foot products containing alcohol will irritate the skin. Care should be taken while choosing the foot products by carefully reading the labels and checking for the possible side effects. Foot products containing colors and fragrances should also be avoided.
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Warm water should be used for soaking the foot. Hot water can further dry the skin, gradually accumulating dead skin.
What Happens if Dead Skin on the Foot Is Left Untreated?
Removing dead cells from the foot is necessary, which will otherwise lead to constant accumulation and further hardening. This gradually leads to cracking and fissuring of the skin. This may also lead to corns and calluses. Corns and calluses are made of similar kinds of tissues. Corns are generally round and smaller compared to calluses. Calluses are hard and thick patches of dead cells. These can sometimes be painful and require medical attention.
Conclusion
Dead skin accumulation on the foot skin is a common problem. It is due to the natural exfoliation mechanism of the skin. However, certain factors increase dead skin accumulation and should be resolved for prevention. Dead cells can be removed by soaking the foot and then exfoliating physically or chemically. Moisturizing the feet regularly and following foot hygiene measures will also be helpful. If the dead skin is left as such, it may progress to cracks, corns, fissures, or calluses on the feet. This can sometimes become painful and require medical attention.
