Are you bothered by cracked or peeling soles on your feet and curious as to the source of the problem? If you are really looking for the reasons, in this article, you will find the most prominent causes of cracked soles of the feet and more other information.
Dry skin may occur in multiple areas of the body, and sometimes the feet are only affected by cracked and dry skin. To find out what causes cracked foot soles, keep reading this article:
Causes of cracked soles of the feet
There are many possible causes that may lead to cracked soles of the feet, here are the most prominent of them:
1. Environmental factors
The following are the most salient environmental factors and substances that your body may come into contact with that may contribute to the development of cracked foot soles:
- heat and humidity
When you wear closed shoes for an extended period of time, your feet are exposed to heat and humidity, which can dry out the skin and lead to cracking and thickening of the skin on the soles of the feet.
- dry air
In the winter, the skin on the soles of the feet is frequently dry and prone to peeling. This is because the winter's cold, dry outside air also contributes to dry skin and indoor air's dryness from indoor heating.
- Soaps and detergents
Some soaps and detergents can dry out and crack the skin on your feet because they remove the natural oils from your skin, which makes your skin dry.
2. Skin problems
Skin problems can sometimes be among the most prominent causes of cracked soles of the feet, as some skin problems can cause dryness and peeling of the skin of the feet. The most noticeable of these issues are listed below:
- Athlete's foot .
- psoriasis
- Contact dermatitis.
- eczema.
3. Health problems
Dry, cracked soles of the feet can be caused by a variety of issues, medical conditions, and nutritional deficiencies. These consist of:
- Malnutrition.
- diabetic.
- Hypothyroidism .
- Vitamin A deficiency.
- Deficiency of essential fatty acids.
4. Aging
Age-related changes in hormones and metabolism, as well as a decrease in skin cell renewal, are some of the factors that contribute to cracked soles of the feet in the elderly. These changes also cause an increase in the thickness of the skin's outer layer and its exfoliation.
Treatment of cracked soles of the feet
Let's look at the treatment for cracked foot soles now that we've covered the most common causes of cracked foot soles. Generally speaking, feet with cracked soles can be moisturised after soaking in warm water to treat the majority of cases at home. Here are the most prominent methods of treating cracked soles of the feet:
- Use a foot moisturizer
Cracked foot soles should be treated with foot moisturiser. This is because the use of a moisturizer leads to an increase in skin elasticity and its ability to retain moisture, especially moisturizing products that contain some ingredients, such as: hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, jojoba oil , and shea butter.
- Soak the feet in warm, soapy water
Soaking feet in warm, soapy water helps treat and relieve cracked soles of the feet.
For up to 20 minutes, you can soak your feet in warm water. After that, moisturise your feet and cover them with socks to keep the moisture in.
- Wear appropriate shoes
Make sure you're wearing appropriate, closed shoes to relieve pressure on your feet and help prevent cracked foot soles.
- Drink more fluids
Make sure to drink plenty of water and other liquids to keep your body moist and avoid dehydration, which can lead to other issues like cracked skin.
When do you have to see a doctor?
The majority of the time, cracked foot soles do not necessitate a trip to the doctor. However, you should see a doctor if you notice any of the following signs of infection:
- redness of the feet
- swollen feet
- Fever.
- The presence of pus inside the cracks of the skin.