Rough Feet: Causes, Treatment & Help

Not only in summer during the sandal time you want to present beautiful and well-groomed feet. Even in winter, soft, supple skin on the feet leads to increased well-being and prevents the penetration of pathogens. In the following, we will enlighten about what methods provide help for rough feet and how to optimally care for the feet.

What are rough feet?

The skin tries to create better protection for the sensitive feet by forming a rough corneal layer. Normally, the skin on the soles of the feet hardly differs from the surrounding skin. However, if the feet are subject to particular stress, rough feet often occur. The skin tries to create better protection for the sensitive feet by forming a rough horny layer. Rough feet are not uncommon and in the vast majority of cases they are more of a cosmetic than a medical problem, yet rough feet are unpleasant. They are noticeable by dry, cracked skin on the bottom of the feet, especially on the heels, balls and toes. The skin can become taut and feels brittle. Rough feet not only look unsightly, they can also become a painful problem due to cracked skin.

Causes

The causes of rough feet are due to the numerous sweat glands on the bottom of the feet. Socks and shoes contribute to a humid climate on the feet. This leads to swelling of the callus. This callus causes rough skin to form as it progresses. In addition, too tight or wrong shoes lead to the formation of calluses at the pressure points. Especially in winter, two other factors, cold and dry heating air, are added. Rough feet are not uncommon. Care should be taken especially if it is favored by a disease, such as diabetes mellitus. In diabetes mellitus, the skin’s ability to bind water is reduced. This often leads to extremely dry skin, especially on the feet. Another reason for rough feet can be a lack of care. While the body and hands are frequently creamed, this is often neglected in the case of the feet, and this despite the fact that they have to do a lot during the day.

Diseases with this symptom

  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Hyperkeratosis
  • Metabolic disorder

Diagnosis and course

Rough feet are not difficult to diagnose. If there is also a metabolic disease such as diabetes mellitus, you should take extra good care of your feet. If left untreated, rough feet can cause the callus to thicken further and further. Normally, this does not regress on its own. Since the skin of rough feet is not intact, this favors the development of fungi. The bacteria and the skin fungus, the so-called dermatomycosis, are preferentially located in warm and humid environments. If the skin is healthy, however, the bacteria have no chance to penetrate the organism. However, if the skin barrier is disturbed, the fungi have an easy time penetrating. Thus, rough feet can promote the development of athlete’s foot.

Complications

Rough feet are primarily a normal symptom that occurs when the feet are subjected to high stress. However, it can also lead to various complications that require medical or drug treatment. Even at a young age, teenagers can suffer from complications associated with rough feet. Ill-fitting shoes can cause the foot to become misaligned, which can cause permanent damage. Another complication is calluses, which can develop if the skin is too dry. Repeated stress causes the callus to become thicker and thicker. Under certain circumstances, deep cracks can develop, which can also be referred to as chapped skin. At this point there is a risk of inflammation if these cracks become contaminated and loaded with bacteria. A visit to the doctor is highly advisable in such a case. Moisturizing creams and ointments can be used to remedy the situation. In connection with rough feet some complications can occur. Even if no pain occurs, treatment or a visit to the doctor should still be sought. Serious consequential damage can be avoided at an early stage.

When should you go to the doctor?

Rough feet are of course at first glance no clinical picture that must necessarily be examined or treated by a medical professional.However, there are exceptions, because rough and brittle skin can also lead to complications. Under certain circumstances, the formation of a chapped skin can occur. A fissure is a deep tear in the skin. Such a skin tear can only very rarely grow together again on its own. In addition, such a crack offers the best conditions for bacteria, which can settle in it ideally. It is not uncommon for this to lead to severe inflammation, which should be treated by a doctor. An affected person who now suffers from very rough feet can, of course, first resort to some moisturizing creams or ointments. This will allow the skin to slowly regenerate and restore itself. In many cases, such home remedies no longer help. A visit to the dermatologist is advisable in such a case. Therefore, if you see a doctor early enough, you can avoid and bypass the above-mentioned complications. If the first cracks in the skin are already visible, a visit to the doctor should not be put off. Otherwise, there is a risk of inflammation, which requires appropriate treatment. This is the only way to avoid serious consequential damage.

Treatment and therapy

To get the skin on the feet soft and supple again, it often helps just to run a pumice stone over it in the shower or after a foot bath and treat the rough areas. Afterwards the feet should be creamed with a special foot cream to supply the dry skin with moisture. It is important not to use any drying soaps. Essences with chamomile or aloe vera are particularly suitable for this purpose. If there are already pronounced hornifications or fissures, a visit to the podiatrist is recommended. In some cases, the podiatrist uses a cornea-reducing foot cream that is applied to the thickened areas (but never to healthy skin). The ingredient urea (an artificial urea) or salicylic acid softens the hyperkeratosis, the excessive cornification. It can thus be cured within a few days. For daily care at home, be careful not to use creams for the feet that are too greasy. Vaseline or creams with the ingredient kerosene cover the skin with a layer of fat and do not allow it to breathe properly. The optimal cream activates the skin’s own ability to bind water. This effect is provided, for example, by special foam creams, available at pharmacies or podiatrists.

Prevention

The be-all and end-all for supple, soft feet is regular care of the feet through the above-mentioned measures. Furthermore, attention should be paid to the right footwear and sufficient fresh air. In summer, it is advisable to walk barefoot as rarely as possible, as this also promotes rough skin on the feet. If one also regularly visits a chiropodist or podiatrist, annoying rough feet can be avoided with little effort.

What you can do yourself

Summertime is sandal time. But many do not wear open shoes to hide their rough feet. Even simple remedies help against unsightly skin on the feet and make them sandal fit. Regular foot care is the best way to prevent chapped, rough and callused feet. Oil massages with grape seed, olive or almond oil help to remove calluses and keep the skin supple. Afterwards, those affected should wear wool socks. They intensify the effect and do the skin good. Fruit masks for the face can also do no harm to the feet. Here it is the fruit enzymes that have a healing effect. The mask can be easily prepared by yourself, for example from mashed banana, avocado and some pineapple juice. After 10 minutes of exposure, the paste can be rinsed off. Afterwards it is advisable to apply an oily cream. Already Cleopatra bathed in milk and honey. Until today, the effect has not changed. A milk and honey footbath moisturizes, kills germs and provides the skin with nutrients. A foot bath made of warm water, 60 ml of vinegar and a few drops of olive oil softens the skin. Alternatively, a bath with glycerin, sea salt, lemon juice and rose water can bring improvement. Afterwards, the callus can be easily removed with a pumice stone. Calluses due to diabetes should be treated by a doctor.