Dry Skin: Caring for Your Feet

My mother is always after me to take better care of my feet. I have terribly dry and cracked feet. They are horrible and honestly, it's my own fault. My mother is right, I don't take good care of my feet. When I was pregnant with my third child, I couldn't reach my feet. My mother was staying with me for a few days and offered me a pedicure. She prettied up my feet, which was no small feat. (A little pun for my Dad.) It took her a really long time to exfoliate with a pumice stone. It felt so good when she was done. I did my best, okay maybe not my best, to keep up with it. I'm sure you could guess that it didn't take long for me to give up with the moisturizing of my feet. Every once in a while I get back to it. Usually after my mother gets a peek at how horrible my feet look.

It's time to give it another round, and this time stick with it. I'm going to take you along with me on my journey to get my feet in good shape. I mean, I'm getting the rest of me into shape, why not take care of my feet? Hear that Mom? I'm going to take care of my feet, just like you keep telling me to.

Here are some things I learned in my quest to find the best way to care for my feet:

Soaking: About.com has great tips and recipes for foot soaks in their article about giving yourself a professional pedicure. (http://beauty.about.com/od/perfectnails/ss/pedicure101_3.htm) Did you know milk is good to loosen dead skin? Me either. It has always felt good to soak my feet in a warm bath. The warm moisture is relaxing and helps soften rough dry skin, getting it ready for that trusty pumice stone (or other "tool" mentioned below.

Exfoliating: I have always thought a pumice stone was a good way to exfoliate my feet, and it is. I have discovered through my reading that it may not be the easiest way. Someone who posted on instructables.com suggests a wood rasp and painter's sanding sponge. It sounds extreme to me too, but I'm trying it. I'll let you know what I think in a future post. Other ways to exfoliate you feet include foot scrubs and exfoliating creams.

Moisturizing:
I've pretty much already been over moisturizers in my previous post. There are only a few things to add for your feet. Use a deep-moisture cream moisturizer right after you exfoliate, then cover your feet.Moisturize again after your shower and before bed. Look for a foot cream that contains salicylic acid, lactic acid or urea -- all of which work great on super-dry skin [source: Guglielmetti]. Some creams have extra ingredients such as shea butter, beeswax or coconut oil that boost the moisturizing effect. (http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/moisturizing/basics/moisturize-feet1.htm)

Nails: When cutting your nails, keep them at a moderate length and cut straight across. Use clean nail cutters, taking your time. Put Vaseline or something similar over your cuticles at night. It will help to soften them and loosen them from the nail. Don't forget the pretty polish. You've got your nails all cleaned up, you may as well dress them up.

Foot ailments:
Toenail fungus is no fun and hard to treat. Of everything I've read in my research, I think webmd.com is not only the most reliable, it's also the most simply stated. So, rather than trying to restate what they said...

"How Is Nail Fungus Treated? Treatment for a nail fungus may include topical creams or oral medications (antifungal drugs), but topical antifungal drugs likely won't cure the infection. Rarely, surgery may be required. Removal of the infected nail can be performed to permit direct application of a topical antifungal. Oral drugs, such as terbinfine, can cure about 50% of nail fungus infections. 

Toenail infections are more difficult to treat than fingernail infections because the toenail grows more slowly. In addition, a damp, warm environment of a shoe or boot can encourage fungal growth.

To prevent getting a nail fungus infection:

• Avoid walking barefoot in public areas, such as locker rooms
• Keep the inside of your shoes dry and change your socks frequently (100% cotton socks are recommended)
• Wear proper fitting shoes (shoes with a wide toe area and ones that don't press your toes)
• Use absorbent or antifungal powder" 

Source:  http://www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/nail-problems

One final thought... I have been thinking about the About.com article I mentioned above. I think I'm going to give it a try. In future posts, I'll post before and after pictures. I'm sure if I do all this, the next time my mother sees my feet, she'll be pleased.

Dry Skin; Part Three: Moisturizers

Hydrating from the inside is just as important for your skin as hydrating from the inside. It's key to lock in the moisture, create a barrier.

So just who should moisturize? Everyone. It doesn't matter your skin type, your need to protect your skin. I know what you're thinking, "but, I have oily skin, I don't want to make it worse." Oily skin does not mean you have hydrated skin.  I think That Cool Broad said it perfectly, "When your skin is dry, your glands produce more oil to coat and protect it. So if you have oily skin and refrain from moisturizing, you could be making the situation worse. The glands will work harder to produce more oil, which will result in more shine. By moisturizing your skin every day, you are protecting your skin and minimizing oil secretion." (http://www.thatcoolbroad.com/2008/03/31/beautiful-skin-part-2-hydration)

Moisturizing will make skin look plumper, healthier and smoother, and if we're lucky younger. It's said that when skin is moisturized properly it tends to age slower than skin that isn't moisturized on a regular basis. "Also, as we age, our skin becomes less effective at regulating the skin’s water balance, so it becomes even more important to include moisturization in our daily routine." (http://www.thatcoolbroad.com/2008/03/31/beautiful-skin-part-2-hydration)

There are a few things to remember before you starting pouring on the moisturizer:

1. Know your skin type. Choosing the right moisturizer will ensure you get the best results.
2. Make sure you choose a moisturizer with sunscreen. Protecting your skin, especially the skin on your face, will help slow drying and aging. 
3. Don't forget to exfoliate your skin a few times a month. It is important to remove the dry, flaky outer layers of skin. 
4. Choose moisturizers that contain natural oils. (I like cocoa butter, but jojoba and avocado work well too.) Natural oils will create that barrier I mentioned earlier, helping your skin maintain hydration.
5. Moisturize regularly throughout the day will ensure you keep that barrier in place.
6. The best time to use moisturizer is while your skin is damp. The moisture from showering or washing your hands will be locked in.

I started to smooth on a fragrance free moisturizer everyday when I started to write this series a few days ago. I've already noticed the difference. My skin is softer and I feel better "wearing" it.  Give it a try and see if you feel a difference.

Dry Skin; Part Two: Hydration

Before I begin, let me just remind you that I am merely sharing what I have read in various reliable places on the internet. I am not a nutritionist, doctor, or expert of any kind. 

According to SmartSkinCare.com “Moisturizing from the inside means keeping the body well hydrated. When dehydrated, the body preserves the water supply to critical organs, such as the brain and the heart, but “cuts off water” to peripheral organs such as skin. Therefore, keeping the body well hydrated is an important part of keeping your skin well moisturized. Adequate fluid intake is key. However, just as important is to avoid foods and beverages that cause excess water loss."

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I'm a nut when it comes to preaching hydration. I have seen my daughter at a year old admitted into the pediatric unit of a hospital because she was so sick she became dehydrated. I have been given IV fluids on the side of the road during a charity walk (Thank you, Nurse Frankie!) because I had a stomach bug and didn't take in enough fluids. While these are extreme cases of dehydration, when you get chapped lips or dry skin, you are likely not getting enough water in your diet. Isn't dry skin what we are trying to avoid? Of course it is.

Over the years there has been a lot of talk about how much water a person is supposed to drink daily. We've heard eight glasses a day, drink when you're thirsty, drink before you get thirsty... no wonder we're so confused about it. About.com has even created a hydration calculator to help its readers determine how much water to take in daily. You can find it at http://nutrition.about.com/library/blwatercalculator.htm.



I can't give anymore of a definitive answer, especially since I'm not a nutritionist or doctor. What I can say, based on what I've read, is that if you are thirsty, you're dehydrating, so go drink some water.

Now to the point: what will hydration do for your skin? Hydrated skin will "snap back" quicker, can make you look more youthful, and can appear more soft and glowing. Now who doesn't want all that?

In addition to hydrating from the outside, it is also important to hydrate skin from the outside. Check back for Dry Skin; Part Three: Moisturizers.

Dry Skin; Part One: Causes

I hate winter. I have for a long time. I hate the temperature, I hate the snow, and I hate how the air drys out my skin. I'm sure you know the feeling, like you're skin is on too tight. Well, let me tell you what, I'm fixing it. It's time to take better care of my skin. What does that mean exactly, aside from making my mother happy? Lotions, potions, and hydration... of course.

I guess the best place to start is with some research. With the internet at my fingertips, that's the easy part.  What causes dry skin? Here's what the Mayo Clinic has to say about it:


"Though most cases of dry skin (xerosis) are caused by environmental exposures, certain diseases also can significantly alter the function and appearance of your skin. Potential causes of dry skin include:

• Weather. In general, your skin is driest in winter, when temperatures and humidity levels plummet. Winter conditions also tend to make many existing skin conditions worse. But the reverse may be true if you live in desert regions, where temperatures can soar, but humidity levels remain low.
• Central heating and air conditioning. Central air and heating, wood-burning stoves, space heaters, and fireplaces all reduce humidity and dry your skin.
• Hot baths and showers. Frequent showering or bathing, especially if you like the water hot and your baths long, breaks down the lipid barriers in your skin. So does frequent swimming, particularly in heavily chlorinated pools.
• Harsh soaps and detergents. Many popular soaps and detergents strip lipids and water from your skin. Deodorant and antibacterial soaps are usually the most damaging, as are many shampoos that dry out your scalp.
• Sun exposure. Like all types of heat, the sun dries your skin. Yet damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation penetrates far beyond the top layer of skin (epidermis). The most significant damage occurs deep in the dermis, where collagen and elastin fibers break down much more quickly than they should, leading to deep wrinkles and loose, sagging skin (solar elastosis). Sun-damaged skin may have the appearance of dry skin.
• Atopic dermatitis. This is one of the more common types of eczema, and those affected have more sensitive and drier skin. Many persons with mild eczema confuse this skin condition with excessive dryness. Areas commonly affected include the face, sides of the neck, and fold areas around the elbows, wrists, knees and ankles.
• Psoriasis. This skin condition is marked by a rapid buildup of rough, dry, dead skin cells that form thick scales.
• Thyroid disorders. Hypothyroidism, a condition that occurs when your thyroid produces too little thyroid hormones, reduces the activity of your sweat and oil glands, leading to rough, dry skin."

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dry-skin/DS00560/DSECTION=causes

Some causes of dry skin we can't control, but why not do something about what we can control?  In the next few posts, I will share what I found for achieving and maintaining healthy skin. In short, I'm going to confirm and follow my mother's advice.