Healthy feet from heel to toe

What causes dry, cracked skin?

Dry cracked skin on the feet can occur any time in life as a result of many factors, including age, weather changes, the environment, exercise, harsh soaps and detergents, or diseases such as diabetes.

Consult your doctor about foot ailments; self-treatment can turn minor problems into major ones.

Deep cracks and fissures can become infected

Excessively dry skin may split and bleed, creating a crack or fissure, which can become infected and painful if it does not heal. This most often occurs on the heels, especially in the dry winter months. Cracks or fissures may also occur on the fingertips.

Rough patches or callus-like areas also can develop on the feet. By using AmLactin^® Foot Cream Therapy twice a day, you can help protect your feet from developing serious dry skin problems.

Tips for keeping your feet healthy

Podiatrists often refer to the foot as the “mirror of health” because the signs and symptoms of some diseases and disorders—such as diabetes, arthritis, and circulatory problems—are sometimes first noticed on the feet. Common signs or symptoms of disease may include dry skin, brittle nails, and burning, tingling, numbness, or discoloration of the feet.

Foot problems are a common complaint for many people; they are not normal. Foot problems are sometimes inherited, but often, especially in older people, foot problems stem from continued abuse and neglect.

To keep your feet healthy, keep the following tips from the American Podiatric Medical Association in mind¹:

• Foot pain is not normal, so don’t ignore it—if you experience foot pain, see your primary care doctor or a podiatrist
• Pay attention to your feet—notice changes in color or temperature and any peeling or abnormal growths on the skin
• Wash your feet regularly, especially between the toes; make sure you dry your feet thoroughly
• Use an exfoliating scrub on the feet to get rid of dry flaky skin
• Trim toenails straight across, but don’t trim them too short, which can cause ingrown toenails; persons with diabetes, poor circulation, or heart problems should not treat their own feet because they are more prone to infection
• Apply an emollient-rich lotion, such as AmLactin^® Foot Cream Therapy, to your feet to hydrate the skin; avoid getting moisturizer between the toes
• Apply polish only to healthy nails; remove polish periodically so nail beds have a chance to breathe
• Wear proper-fitting shoes; replace worn-out shoes as soon as possible. For a better fit, shop for new shoes in the afternoon when feet tend to swell. Avoid wearing high-heeled shoes
• Wear the appropriate shoe for whatever you are doing (eg, athletic shoes for running)
• Don’t wear the same pair of shoes every day—it’s better for your feet if you alternate shoes
• Try not to walk barefoot to avoid injury and infection
• If you have diabetes, it’s important to see a podiatrist at least once a year for a thorough checkup

How AmLactin^® Foot Cream Therapy can help

To soften some of the toughest skin on the body—the skin on your feet—you need a heavy-duty moisturizer such as AmLactin^® Foot Cream Therapy. The AmLactin^® family of body moisturizing lotions and creams contains alpha-hydroxy acid, which helps skin retain its natural moisture.

And since AmLactin^® moisturizers are fragrance-free, the potential for skin irritation is reduced. For best results, use AmLactin^® Foot Cream Therapy twice a day to keep the skin on your feet soft, smooth, and healthy.