Scaly feet treatment involves use of moisturizers such as petroleum jelly and application of vitamin E or olive oil. To know more about causes of this skin problem, read on.
Scaly feet refers to a skin problem in which the skin is no more elastic and appears excessively dry and itchy. The scales are thin flakes made up of dead cells of the outermost layer of the skin. Constantly scratching the feet can make the skin irritated and lead to development of rashes.
Causes
Ignoring foot care is bound to cause scaly, cracked skin. Use of harsh soaps, application of inappropriate creams, wearing ill fitting shoes or a fungal infection are some of the common reasons behind dry scaly feet.
The cold winds in winter cannot be tolerated by the skin, resulting in formation of scaly patches on the soles of the feet.
Treatment
Scrub the Feet
Before applying any prescription or over the counter topical medications, one has to remove the dead cells that have accumulated on the topmost layer of the skin.
Wet the scaly feet and then gently start scrubbing the skin using synthetic sponge or exfoliating gloves. One can also use an exfoliating foot cream to get rid of dead cells. Apply the cream on the sponge and then start scrubbing. It is the best method to exfoliate the skin.
Moisturizers
After scrubbing the feet, you need to use the right moisturizer that are specially designed for this purpose. The most commonly preferred moisturizer for massaging the feet is petroleum jelly. Use it generously everyday before going to bed and one may see positive results within a week.
Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E oil is an excellent way to restore the beauty of the skin lost due to outbreak of scales. It has excellent antioxidant properties, which helps to prevent further damage to skin cells.
It promotes growth of healthy skin cell membranes, which helps to get rid of scaly skin. Whether it is protecting the skin from pollution or ultraviolet light, use of vitamin E oil is the best option.
One can also use vitamin E oil capsules that are available at various drug stores. Simply break open vitamin E oil capsules and then apply the oil on the affected area. Many dermatologists recommend usage of moisturizers that contain vitamin E as the primary ingredient.
Olive Oil
Olive oil can also be a great remedy to cure scaly feet. Olive oil skin care is indeed an easy way to restore the elasticity of the skin. Ask any certified skin care professional and he would definitely recommend olive oil. The oil basically helps to retain the lost moisture of the skin.
How to Use Olive Oil: When it comes to using olive oil, it is often mixed with a carrier oil such as vitamin E or lavender oil. Prepare a solution containing vitamin E and olive oil in equal amounts (ΒΌ teaspoon) and then apply it evenly on the feet.
Many people prefer to puncture two 400 IU vitamin E oil capsules and the contents of the capsules are then added to 4 oz of olive oil. Applying skin creams containing olive oil too can be an effective treatment for dry, scaly skin.
Increase Water Intake
Insufficient water intake makes the skin dull and dry and so keeping the body well-hydrated can certainly help to speed up healing of skin problems.
Antifungal Agents
Scaly feet due to fungal infection are treated with topical anti-fungicides such as ketoconazole or terbinafine.
Disclaimer:The information provided here is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.