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Flaky, itching skin on feet – dry skin or something more?

1 –Dry skin that is very thick or forms cracks – Dry skin can become a long-term issue that may develop into a very thick build-up of dead skin on areas of high pressure, especially the heels. Over time, this skin can form cracks and may even bleed. Anyone who has experienced this condition knows how painful it can be. Fortunately, this condition can be remedied with use of a cream or lotion that has ammonium lactate or urea as the active ingredient.

 

2 –Fungal infection (“Athletes foot”) – You may notice white, flaky skin that scales on your feet. This may be accompanied by surrounding redness as well as itchiness or burning. This may be on the foot or between the toes. You may even notice small fluid-filled blisters. This condition is most commonly caused by a fungal infection that requires application of anti-fungal medication. In addition, moisture control and shoe disinfection will help to prevent re-infection once the skin condition has resolved.

 

3 – Eczema or psoriatic lesions – These lesions can look like thick plaques of scaling skin on the bottom of the feet. These may become very thick and painful if located on weightbearing surfaces. Treatment will usually require a combination of topical medications that are applied to the feet directly. Be sure to consult your doctor if you suspect you may be suffering from this.

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