Latest news with #dryskin
CNA
21 hours ago
- Health
- CNA
Best foot forward: What you can do about your dry, cracked heels
Dry, cracked heels aren't a sexy look. Yet many of us aren't fazed enough to do something about them until they start peeling or, in more extreme cases, even bleeding. In severe cases, some may even find it impossible to put on shoes. HOW DO CRACKED HEELS DEVELOP? Cracked heels are directly caused by dry skin. Dry skin loses its elasticity, which is why it is prone to peeling and splitting – when this happens, the cracks can lead to open wounds, or even infection if they are exposed to bacteria. The first sign that cracked heels may develop is that the skin on the heels becomes thick and rough – you might even feel calluses on the skin and notice that it has a whitish or yellowish appearance. So why does skin on the heels become dry or thick? Likely because you are either predisposed to having dry skin and you just aren't diligent about moisturising. Certain medical conditions can also lead to it – these include diabetes and skin issues like eczema or psoriasis. Those who suffer from these conditions, or are on medication that causes dry skin, can be more prone to having cracked heels. Being on your feet or walking barefoot for long periods of time is another contributing factor – the pressure and friction that the heels have to bear can cause skin on them to become hard and thick over time. This also explains why certain types of shoes can cause cracked heels, too. They include unsupportive shoes or footwear that's made with hard, inflexible material that does little to ease the pressure and friction your feet have to withstand. Open-heeled footwear like slingbacks and sandals that expose your heels can also dry out the skin. Finally, your weight can also be a factor that contributes to the problem – the heavier you are, the more the pressure your body is placing on your feet. This is also why some women get cracked heels during pregnancy. HOW TO CARE FOR CRACKED HEELS 1. MOISTURISE, MOISTURISE, MOISTURISE Going for regular pedicures will help, but there are easy ways to care for your heels at home if you'd rather not splurge on services. Moisturising daily is essential. A foot cream that's made to target the thick skin on heels is ideal, although a regular body moisturiser will also do. 2. EXFOLIATION IS ALSO A MUST This will slough away dead, dry skin, prevent the skin on heels from thickening and allow moisturisers to penetrate skin and hydrate it more effectively. Once or twice a week, go over your heels with a foot scrub or loofah, and then use a pumice stone to target calluses and areas with extra thick skin. Soaking your feet in warm water for about 15 minutes before you do so will help soften the skin on heels and make it easier to remove dead skin. 3. PROTECT THE HEELS Avoid footwear that expose the heels so as to prevent skin from becoming dry. It's also important to wear supportive shoes – use padding inserts or heel insoles to provide the heels with adequate cushioning if necessary. Wearing socks will also help reduce abrasion against the skin when you're walking in shoes. If you have split cracks on the heels, shield them with liquid bandage to protect wounds from coming into contact with germs and moisture. 4. LIMIT TIME SPENT WALKING OR STANDING Reduce the time you spend walking and standing, as far as possible, will help keep cracked heels from developing or worsening. 5. SEEK PROFESSIONAL CARE In severe cases, where there's extremely thick and dry skin on heels, or split cracks that are bleeding, painful, infected or inflamed, it's best to see a podiatrist. A podiatrist can administer the appropriate medical care, such as providing prescription-strength ointments or creams, and perform the necessary bandaging or even debridement, which is the cutting away of extra thick and hard skin on the heels.
WebMD
10-06-2025
- Health
- WebMD
Navigating Skincare: Keloids, Climate, and Consistency
As a child, the dermatologist was the doctor I visited most frequently. Between dark spots on my face, severely chapped lips, and dry skin during the winter, I was always being prescribed a new ointment or remedy to try. Today, the first two issues have been resolved thanks to healthier eating habits and finding the right skin care and lip products for me. However, I still deal with dry skin not only in the winter but throughout most of the year. I've noticed that my keloid scars, along with the surrounding areas, are particularly prone to dry skin. For those unfamiliar with keloids, they're a growth of extra scar tissue that happens where the skin has healed after an injury or surgical procedure. I've been dealing with them since I was in middle school, having developed a large one on the back of my earlobe following my ear piercing. My breast cancer treatment and surgeries introduced several more keloids into my life, including at the site of my chemo port, in the radiated area of my breast, and the largest one – a long scar across my back from one of my breast reconstruction surgeries. While they're not painful, they're often dry, itchy, and hard to reach in certain spots (like the scar on my back, which can be tricky to moisturize properly because of its location). I recently moved from Atlanta to Chicago, which has caused me to rethink my winter skin care routine, especially when it comes to my keloid-prone skin. The cold, dry air makes my scars even itchier and more dehydrated, so I've had to adjust my approach. I've found that layering an oil-based body lotion with a body oil helps my skin lock in moisture longer. Additionally, applying Vaseline to my keloids every morning and night has provided extra relief. My need for a tailored skin care routine isn't just about adapting to the colder months. It's a reminder of how I've had to advocate for my skin's unique needs throughout my health journey – from childhood to my breast cancer treatment. Many aspects of health care don't always consider the needs of people with melanin-rich skin, something I've learned time and time again. One example of this happened before starting radiation, when I was informed that the radiated area would turn darker, like a tan. However, what I experienced was nothing like a cute summer tan – my skin turned completely black and became very tender and painful. I realized early on that the standard skin care recommendations wouldn't work for my skin's needs, requiring me to look for alternatives. Taking proper care of my skin is a constant journey, especially when navigating different climates and changing seasons. I usually shop based on reviews, which has quickly taught me that what works for one person might not work for another, and that's OK. The key is to listen to your body, stay consistent, and adjust your routine to support your skin's unique needs. Whether it's layering oils during the winter or finding products that soothe and hydrate, prioritizing what works best for you is key – your skin will thank you for it.
Washington Post
19-05-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
How to banish dry skin as you age
Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with any advertisers on this site. Noticing that your skin is drier and more sensitive than it was years earlier? Decades of sun exposure certainly can play a part, but so do the natural changes of aging. For instance, hormonal shifts mean that your skin produces less oil than it used to. And it becomes more prone to breaking down.
National Post
14-05-2025
- Health
- National Post
How to heal dry skin, according to a top dermatologist — products and preventatives
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Article content During the colder months, our bodies are often covered in layers of clothes. Then during the summer, we shed some layers and our skin makes a guest appearance. As we sport shorts, tanks and sandals, we're sometimes surprised by the state of our skin. Article content It can be off-putting when legs are so dry they look like the Sahara desert floor, cracking in the heat. Or when elbows are so rough they can injure others. Or when heels split open and start bleeding. Problems that many dry-skinned humans have to deal with on a daily basis. Article content Article content What causes dry skin? Article content 'Dry skin has lost its moisture. It can appear as dry, but also dull, scaly or flaky, and sometimes itchy. If it is prolonged, it can result in eczema (red, itchy, sometimes weepy skin),' says Dr. Barankin.'It can be due to aging, or medications (e.g. acne treatments, blood pressure pills, diuretics, statins for cholesterol), or long dry winters, and often has a genetic component too.' Article content Article content 'As skin dries, it shrinks which can cause cracking. Some cracks can be deep, and then become sore or even bleed,' shares Dr. Barankin. It can even get medical. 'Some people have cracking of heels because they have a skin condition like foot fungus (tinea pedis), psoriasis or eczema.' Article content Article content 'For dry skin or cracked heels, it's definitely worth trying some over-the-counter products first. Also, being more mindful to moisturize immediately after bathing, as well as having a cool-mist humidifier on in the wintertime,' says Dr. Barankin.
