WHY YOU HAVE DRY CRACKED FEET & HOW TO FIX IT // DERMATOLOGIST @DrDrayzday

Why Do You Have Dry Cracked Feet?

In this video, the speaker discusses the causes of dry cracked feet, lifestyle tips to help with dry feet, and recommends skincare products for this condition.

The Unique Skin on the Soles of Our Feet

• The skin on the soles of our feet is thick and has ridges and grooves called dermatoglyphics. There are no hair follicles or oil glands on the palms and soles.

• Sweating is more common in the palms and soles due to a high density of sweat glands.

• Keratin, a protein found in skin, hair, and nails, is present in unique forms on the palms and soles.

Causes of Dry Cracked Feet

• Hereditary factors can contribute to dry cracked feet. Some genetic conditions cause extremely dry palms and soles.

• Poorly fitted shoes that don't provide proper support can lead to friction and callus formation on the soles.

• Wearing flip-flops without adequate support exposes the skin to elements, increasing the likelihood of dryness.

• Shoes without good heel support combined with prolonged standing can result in dry cracked heels.

• Various skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis can affect the skin on the feet, leading to dry patches or plaques.

• Cold weather with low humidity increases overall skin dryness, including on the feet.

• Foot fungus (athlete's foot) thrives in environments with keratin buildup, making it more likely to affect the feet.

Underlying Medical Conditions

• Hypothyroidism can cause dry cracked feet. Treating thyroid issues improves foot condition.

• People with diabetes are prone to developing dryness on all body sites, including their feet.

• Underlying autoimmune diseases increase the risk of developing dry cracked feet.

• In rare cases, nutritional deficiencies, especially from restrictive or crash diets, can lead to dry cracked feet.

The transcript is in English.

Causes of Dry and Calloused Feet

This section discusses the causes of dry and calloused feet, including excessive friction, improper footwear, and menopause.

Traumatizing the Skin Barrier

• Excessive friction on the feet can lead to callous formation.

• Traumatizing the skin barrier triggers a response that results in more callous formation.

Menopause

• Menopause can cause dry and cracked feet, known as keratoderma climactericum.

• Hormonal influences during menopause may contribute to this condition.

• Collagen loss in women's skin during menopause may also play a role in developing dry and cracked feet.

Symptoms of Keratoderma Climactericum

• Initially, isolated patches of dryness may appear on the heels or other areas of the feet.

• Over time, these patches can spread and affect a larger surface area of the feet.

• Painful cracks called fissures can develop as a result.

Importance for Post-Menopausal Women

• With increased life expectancy, women spend a significant portion of their lives post-menopausal.

• More attention should be given to addressing dry skin issues on the feet during this period.

Seeking Medical Attention

This section emphasizes the importance of consulting a board-certified dermatologist if dry and calloused feet worsen despite self-care efforts. Underlying medical conditions such as thyroid disease may be associated with this condition.

Underlying Medical Conditions

• If self-care measures do not improve dry and calloused feet, it is recommended to see a dermatologist.

• Certain medical conditions like thyroid disease can contribute to this issue.

• Treating underlying medical conditions can help improve dryness in the feet.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

• HRT may be considered for menopause-related keratoderma climactericum, but limited data is available on its effectiveness.

• The decision to undergo HRT should be discussed with a healthcare provider, considering the associated risks and benefits.

Self-Care Tips

This section provides self-care tips to manage dry and calloused feet, including proper footwear, avoiding excessive friction, and using keratolytic foot creams or ointments.

Importance of Well-Fitting Shoes

• Wearing shoes that fit well and provide good arch support can prevent chronic friction and callous formation.

• Proper footwear is especially crucial for individuals who spend long hours on their feet.

Minimizing Barefoot Time

• Limit going barefoot as it exposes the feet to friction and lacks support from shoes.

• Consider wearing socks whenever possible to protect the feet from external elements.

Choosing Orthotic Flip-Flops

• If wearing flip-flops, opt for those with arch support and heel support instead of flat ones like Havianas.

• Orthotic flip-flops can help reduce friction and callous formation.

Avoiding Excessive Foot Scraping

• Refrain from using pumice stones or foot scraping tools excessively as they can cause more callous formation.

• When visiting a nail salon, ask them not to use blades for foot scraping.

Using Keratolytic Foot Creams/Ointments

• Look for foot creams or ointments containing keratolytic ingredients such as urea, salicylic acid, or alpha hydroxy acids (e.g., lactic acid, glycolic acid).

• Soak the feet before applying these products to soften calluses and enhance penetration.

• A recommended product is the carousel foot ointment applied after soaking the feet. Wearing socks over it aids absorption.

Caution with Keratolytic Foot Ointment

This section provides a cautionary note regarding the use of keratolytic foot ointments. While effective for callus removal, prolonged and excessive use can lead to overly smooth feet, which may not be desirable.

Effective Callus Removal

• Keratolytic foot ointments are effective in removing calluses when used until desired results are achieved.

• The carousel foot ointment is recommended for this purpose.

Limiting Usage

• After achieving desired results, it is advised to reduce the frequency of using keratolytic foot ointments.

• Excessive use can result in excessively smooth feet, which may not provide adequate protection.

Remember to consult a board-certified dermatologist if self-care measures do not improve dry and calloused feet or if there are underlying medical conditions associated with this issue.

Tips for Foot Care

In this section, the speaker provides tips for foot care, including recommendations for foot creams and ointments.

Using Dermatonic Soothing Foot Cream

• The dermatonic soothing foot cream is recommended for moisturizing the feet.

• It contains shea butter and is highly moisturizing.

Using Ointments on Feet

• Petrolatum (Vaseline) can be used as an ointment on the feet to reduce callus formation and frictional forces on the skin.

• Apply petrolatum after soaking the feet in a shower or basin, then wear socks to allow it to penetrate between skin cells.

• Topical retinoids like tretinoin or tizeratine may be helpful in some cases but can be irritating on the soles of the feet.

• In stubborn cases, an oral retinoid like Accutane or psoriasis medications may be used, but this is not routine practice.

Importance of Supportive Shoes

• Wearing shoes that provide better arch and sole support can help prevent callus formation.

• Slippers from the brand Bionic are recommended for their supportive features and durability.

Dealing with Painful Cracks

This section discusses how to manage painful cracks on the feet and fingertips.

Using Super Glue

• Applying super glue (or crazy glue) to clean cracks on the bottoms of the feet can help reduce discomfort and promote healing by keeping the skin closed.

• Hold the skin together for about 60 seconds after applying super glue.

• This method can also be used for painful cracks on fingertips.

Foot Peels vs. Ointments/Creams

The speaker compares foot peels to ointments/creams for treating dry, cracked heels.

Foot Peels

• Foot peels contain keratolytic ingredients like urea and alpha hydroxy acids.

• They can be found in stores like Marshalls and TJ Maxx.

• However, they may also contain other ingredients that can cause skin irritation.

• Creams or ointments with active ingredients like urea or alpha hydroxy acids are recommended instead of foot peels.

• Creams and ointments allow for better control of callus softening without the risk of excessive exfoliation.

Conclusion

The transcript provides tips for foot care, including recommendations for foot creams, ointments, supportive shoes, and managing painful cracks. It also discusses the use of super glue for closing cracks and compares foot peels to creams/ointments for treating dry, cracked heels.

Music New Section

This section of the transcript features music playing in the background.

Music

• The transcript indicates that there is music playing, but no specific details or information about the music are provided.

• As this section does not contain any relevant content or information, it can be skipped for note-taking purposes.