“The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art.” – Leonardo da Vinci
Isn’t the human foot incredible? Our feet were created to run, walk, work and do many amazing feats. 25% of the bones in our body are found in the foot. The feet have 33 joints and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These work-horses of the human body, whether they are the naked foot or clad in shoes, our feet carry us through life, whether slim or obese.
How true of Emiliano Zapata who once said, “It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.” Because without your feet, you are reliant on others. However, dead skin on feet not only looks unattractive, but you need to address the problems feet can experience.
This article includes home remedies for dead skin on feet that your feet will love.
Introduction
Fungal nail infections, dead skin on the feet with cracked heels, and an ingrown nail are among the most common foot problems that people face. After all, these body members are in full use most of the day, even enduring heavy loads that press down hard on them.
At the end of the day, all that these parts have endured can cause fatigue and pain, causing our feet to look unattractive and unhealthy. Just, fortunately, how to get rid of dead skin on the feet and other foot issues can be successfully treated at home.
There are several home remedies for dead skin on the feet that can do wonders to help them get back to continue the wonderful job they do – they deserve it.
What Causes Dead Skin on Feet?
There are many reasons you might have dry skin. Let’s look at the main causes and how to get rid of dead skin on the feet:
- The shoes you wear. One of the most common causes of dry foot skin is the shoes you wear, especially if you wear the same pair of shoes continuously. If you wear sandals too, your feet, particularly the heels get exposed to the harsh drying elements outside like dirt, grime, and dry air.
- Some cleansers. A lot of people believe that if you want to know how to get rid of dead skin on the feet that certain shower gels and soaps will help. Unfortunately, many of them contain harsh chemicals that dry out the skin.
- Standing a lot. If you have to stand a lot during the day, you might find your feet are drier than those who don’t. The constant rubbing from the shoes and the pressure the feet are under while walking and standing can trap dead skin on the feet in one place.
- Being overweight. One way to get rid of dead skin on the feet is to lose weight. Obesity causes feet to become super dry as they bear the extra weight. An obese person’s circulation is usually not up to par.
- Sitting with heaters blasting onto your feet. If you are cold and love heaters blasting onto your feet, this can cause dead skin on the feet.
- Diabetes, nerve damage, and poor circulation. These conditions can cause the function of the moisturizing glands of your feet to decrease. Other medical conditions are psoriasis, Athlete’s foot, eczema, and hyperhidrosis, among others. Sometimes using OTC medications can help get rid of dead skin on the feet.
7 Home Remedies for Dead Skin on Feet
-
- Relax while your feet enjoy a foot spa and soak. One effective way to rejuvenate tired feet and get rid of dead skin on the feet is to indulge in a relaxing foot soak. The warm water seeps into the cracks and helps to loosen dead skin cells. It becomes even more effective if you add a softening agent like olive oil or coconut oil.
- Crushed banana mask for your feet. Get rid of dead skin on the feet by using bananas. Bananas are soothing; if they can do such wonders for stomach pain, easing indigestion and preventing irritation of the stomach lining, it makes perfect sense that they can tackle dried dead skin on your feet. Mash a banana with a tablespoon of honey, apply this thick paste on your feet, rinsing off after 20 minutes. Doing it twice a day for three days will bring amazing results.
- Lemon juice with coconut oil. Soak your feet in lukewarm water first for about 15 minutes. Pat dry, then take some lemon juice and a teaspoon of coconut oil or petroleum jelly. Massage this into your feet and leave it on for about an hour. The citric acid in the lemon helps to break down patches of dead skin on the feet as well as calluses. Rinse off with warm water and see how supple your feet feel. Don’t use lemon on your feet if you have open skin cracks or open wounds as the natural acids can make your skin burn.
- Scrubbing down your dry skin with a pumice stone. Pumice stones are a hugely popular foot care tool when it comes to dry dead skin on the feet. It rubs away calluses and dead skin. It doesn’t damage the skin either. There are proper ways of doing it though. Rinse them off and apply a good moisturizer. You’ll soon see baby soft feet.
- Glycerin can melt away dry skin. Glycerin is used in pharmaceutical products, particularly for its moisturizing properties. It’s often added as a lubricant to different kinds of toothpaste, shaving creams, soaps, and hair products. To use it to help to remove dead skin on the feet, apply it directly to the dry patches on your foot and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
- Use aspirin to help with dry feet. Among the home remedies for dead skin on the feet is aspirin. It has a unique way to break down dead skin and calluses. All you do is crush six aspirin tablets into powder form. Then you mix this with ½ teaspoon of lemon juice and a quarter teaspoon of water. Spread the paste over the affected parts of your foot, covering with a plastic bag for 10 minutes. Then remove the plastic and raise your feet in warm water.
- Essential oils plus coconut oil. This blend tackles dry skin and alleviates foot pain. Take 6 drops of the following oils: peppermint tea tree, lemon, and coconut oil. Add everything to a glass bottle and shake up well before putting it in the fridge to freeze. Then you can use it and store it at room temperature.
What else can you do?
One renowned television doctor says that healthy soothed feet can make a difference in your day. Feet can get beat up during the day and calluses and rough dry skin result. Pampering them and keeping them healthy is a top priority. He prescribes foot baths as home remedies for dead skin on the feet.
Foot baths help to reduce the risk of fungus on the feet and can help to relieve bone spurs too. Try his homemade foot soak with no chemicals – it can be used around 10-12 times.
Ingredients
- 1¼ cup Epsom salt
- ¼ cup sea salt
- 1¼ tablespoon baking soda
- 8 drops each of peppermint, sweet orange, and tea tree essential oils
- 10 drops olive leaf extract. Olive leaf extract comes from the leaves.
- 1½ gallons of warm water
Directions
Mix all the ingredients in a large jar with a tight-fitting lid.
To use
Use a ¼ cup of the mixture in warm water. Make sure it’s not hot. Soak your feet for several minutes. Then, exfoliate with a good natural foot scrub, rinse off and pat dry. Add an excellent moisturizer.
Conclusion
Dry feet with dead skin on the feet and cracked soles are more common than dry skin in other parts of our body. That’s because they lack oil glands, particularly the soles of the feet. This lack of oil leads to dehydration, a significant cause of dry skin. Feet rely on sweat glands to stay moisturized.
The feet are of the most important parts of the body and yet, possibly the most ignored. Perhaps it’s because feet are not considered as “vital organs” that we don’t take proper care of them. We clip the nails and add sizzling colors to the nails, and even moisturize. But the feet are much more than the skin and nails.
After all, the average person takes around 8,000-10,000 steps every day, around 115,000 miles in a general lifetime. That’s walking around the globe more than four times. Is it no wonder you need to know how to get rid of dry skin on the feet!
