There are many reasons for dry feet. Sometimes it's due to the reduction in moisture in the skin and tissues, with age; as a result many older people do suffer from dry feet and cracked heels as well. Sometimes the cause may be a serious skin disease like psoriasis or eczema or a disease of the feet like athlete's feet. It could be hereditary too or some underlying disease like diabetes or hypothyroidism may be the cause. Sometimes it's walking outdoors barefoot on hard ground and not washing and soaking the feet later.
There are a few home remedies for dry feet, and you can actually enjoy the feeling of pampering yourself as you take care of your feet.
Daily at the end of the day, soak your feet in a basin of warm soapy water. You can use mild baby liquid soap, and soak them in it for at least 20 minutes. Keep a flask of water by the side so that you can pour hot water if your soaking water becomes cool to the touch. Once the 20 minutes are up, the skin of the dry feet would have softened. Take pumice stone or the feet sandpaper tool and scrape of the dry skin. Be gentle as you're going to do this daily. It's no use being so enthusiastic that you scrape until blood comes out which could lead to more pain and even other serious conditions.
Now you continue with one of the other home remedies for dry feet. Spread a thick layer of petroleum jelly or a generous amount of coconut or olive oil, on your feet. Wear socks and go to sleep. Next day wash off, and dry your feet well. Don't forget to dry the space in between the toes. You can cover the feet again with jelly or oil. Wear socks and wear shoes. Otherwise you don't want to slip and fall and make things worse. Petroleum does not have curative properties like coconut and olive oil, but helps prevents the dry feet from losing further moisture.
You can also do a fruit masque for your dry feet. Grate some papaya, and wear a cotton sock for the night and let the papaya do its thing. Papaya has an enzyme which can soften the skin. You can also make a masque out of avocado and banana. They are said to be deeply moisturizing. Go, give it a try.
Dry feet indicate a lack of vitamins and minerals. Remember to get vitamins into your body, its best not to cook the food that supplies you with vitamins and minerals. A mineral that might be lacking is zinc. Pumpkin seeds are rich in Zinc. Also it's found in whole meal bred, legumes, nuts and seeds. To get your daily supply of other important vitamins and minerals, eat a lot of leafy greens, carrots, tomatoes, sprouts and also fruits such as apples, oranges and dried apricots. Take a lot of whole grains like brown rice and oats. Do not forget to take 8 glasses of water to get the skin hydrated from inside.
Home remedies for dry feet can help make skin softer and smoother if you learn to pamper and look after your feet. Also eat lots of the right types of water and drink enough water. The dry and sometimes cracked heels will not disappear overnight but will definitely improve in the long run.
