Dry Skin… Don't Blame It All On The Weather

For some, winter brings dry, cracked, and peeling skin on hands and feet. With daily applications of moisturizer, most can keep hands and feet moisturized all through the winter season. Pedicures, professional or at home, also help to maintain the moisture levels in the skin.

               

People with Diabetes on the other hand have to take a more proactive role in combatting dry and cracking skin. Diabetes affects the nerves in the feet and they start to stop working. If the nerves stop working, the feet have no way of controlling the oil and moisture in the feet.  As the moisture levels in the body decrease, the skin becomes dry, starts to crack, and then can progress to open sores. Dry skin can lead to a whole host of other foot complications which may be more difficult to treat.

The feet spend more time in shoes during the winter months but that doesn’t mean feet should be neglected until spring. Follow these measures in order to keep the skin moisturized all winter long.

• Wash feet daily.
• Do not soak feet. Soaking can make the feet become drier.
• Dry feet thoroughly.
• Seal in moisture with a thin coat of plain petroleum jelly, unscented lotion, or similar product.
• Never put oils or creams between toes as infections can occur due to the extra moisture. 
• Visit a Podiatrist if dryness continues.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/henkimaa/122427784/][img]http://farm1.staticflickr.com/36/122427784_246bef1332.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/henkimaa/122427784/]I courageously stepped out into the warm spring day, but then I got cold foot[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/henkimaa/]yksin[/url], on Flickr