Common Mistakes to Avoid When Caring for Dry Heels

The at-home foot care routine of most clients usually consists of using a foot file or pumice stone or using exfoliating socks before big events, such as summer weddings or vacations. Additionally, patients often choose creams that are not suitable for their skin's needs. Such "care" can lead to a worsening of foot condition or initiate problems.

Certainly, the best solution would be to undergo a professional podiatric treatment from time to time, during which a specialist will remove calluses and, equally important, select the appropriate product for a given skin type or problem. However, regular care, adjusted to the skin's condition, is crucial. Therefore, it is worth introducing a few changes to improve skin condition.

Move away from the Foot Files

The first change is to switch from a foot file or pumice stone to a coarse-grained scrub (of course, in the absence of deep cracks on the heels). This way, there is no mechanical damage to the skin layers, only a gentle but effective smoothing. Too intensive and frequent use of a foot file or pumice stone causes excessive heating of the tissues. Additionally, such tools only smooth the top layer of the skin, leaving the excess unremoved, which increases pressure on the tissues, leading to increased production of dead skin cells. This results in the opposite effect of what was intended, i.e., the creation of more calluses.

Ditch the Exfoliating Socks

Another mistake in at-home care is the use of exfoliating socks. They are saturated with an exfoliating agent on their entire surface. It should be noted that the formulas are usually based on high concentrations of acids and urea. Exfoliating socks cause skin peeling even on the arch of the foot and the top of the foot, where there is no excess buildup of calloused skin. If someone must use such socks, it is better if they are coated with moisturizing and nourishing substances.

Daily Care

Choosing the right cream for daily care is also important. A poorly chosen product may not have any positive effect on the skin and, worse, may make it even drier. As a result, it will be even more prone to cracking. For extremely dry and cracked skin, products with ingredients such as waxes, oils, and bee propolis should be used.

As a podiatrist, one of the most important things you can do is educate your clients about at-home care as thoroughly as possible. While podiatric treatments bring incredible relief and often bring smiles to the faces of my patients, the truth is that regularity and awareness of the importance of at-home care are the keys to success.