Dry skin on your feet? - Natural self help solutions

The skin holds a certain amount of water. This water is needed to keep the skin supple and able to withstand the different types of pressure that it is placed under. The water content of the skin can decrease causing the skin to become dry and sometimes itchy. Dry skin may cause other symptoms, such as scaling, redness and chapping. Dry skin can crack and fissure which can be a portal of entry for an infection to get in.  Around the heel and if the skin is thicker, cracks in the heel can occur. Some people just have a skin that is dryer than others they have a genetic predisposition to just develop dry skin. As people get older, the skin tends to become drier.  If dry skin is scaling and itchy, this may indicate a fungal infection (athletes foot). Psoriasis also causes a dry scaling of the skin. Some medical conditions such as hypothyroidism and diabetes can also predispose to dry skin. Self help for dry feet. The best way to treat dry skin on the foot is to soak thoroughly while bathing or showering.  Try to use very little soap or use a natural soap based on Shea Butter or Olive Oil, (we use Oliva Soap or some of the Natural Shea Butter Soaps from Shea Butter Cottage, you will find them online).  Also, limit the amount of time in the water.  After patting skin dry with a towel, apply a natural moisturizer or emollient to the foot.  A natural oil based emollient such as a balm is best.  For maximum effect it should be applied daily.    Remember oil based products such as balms are ‘old school’ skincare and if applied too thickly will not evaporate as water based lotions do.  However, balms with natural oils, waxes and butters are superior skin care products, you just have to learn to apply less.  The benefit of this if that in real terms balms are also cheaper as a little goes a long way.  It won’t take you long to work our what your feet will absorb. There are a few good balms on the market.  We at Mil All Natural Balms are really proud of our Cos Chaomh All Natural Foot Balm.  It is just the ticket for dry feet.  It has Organic Sunflower Oil, Jojoba, both of which are packed with goodness and skin nourishing vitamins.  These oils are also really easily absorbed by the skin.  Our Foot Balm also has Golden Yellow Beeswax, which has emollient and healing properties and, Organic Shea Butter, which has high levels of vegetable fats contribute to its ability to heal and promote cell regeneration and capillary circulation.  Shea Butter is renown in the natural treatment of eczema, rashes and severely dry skin. Wonderfully soothing and healing essential oil in MilCos Chaomh Foot Balm are also central to our balms efficacy.  Essential oils of Peppermint, Tea Tree and Eucalyptus and all know as great healers of bacterial and fungal infections.  The scent from this blend of essential oils is also wonderfully uplifting and refreshing. What ever you choose to do, remember your feet support you so they do need care and a few minutes of simple daily treatment, perhaps last thing at night.  We also recommend a thicker application of balm once a week and then put on a thick sock , put your feet-up and let the balm soak in. Even better keep the socks on overnight let it soak in over night.  Perhaps not the most romantic thought, but your feet will thanks you for it and with regular treatment they will become soft and smooth!. That’s all for now Slán go fóill The Mil Team