When dry skin is more than skin deep

Dry skin of the feet and legs is a common finding for patients coming to the podiatry office. There are many reasons for dry skin to occur, from hereditary skin conditions to toxic chemical exposure to infections. Some causes of dry skin are more than skin deep. Dry skin can be the sign of an underlying medical condition. Two of the more common ones are thyroid conditions and diabetes. Both of these can result in serious skin issues including severe dryness. In patients with dry skin that are not responding to topical moisturizers, internal causes may need to be considered. Medical work up to rule out thyroid conditions and diabetes is a good starting point. Allergy testing may also be needed. Controlling underlying medical conditions can go a long way on improving skin conditions. Nutritional support is also important. Supplements helpful for the skin include biotin, vitamin C, zinc and omega 3 fish oil. Correcting other nutritional deficiencies identified in a medical work up is also necessary. Should you or a friend or family member have dry skin of the feet that is not responding to over the counter moisturizers, com in for a visit and we will get under the skin of the problem and help find a solution

Author

Paul Betschart, DPM Dr. Betschart has over 26 years of experience in treating patients of all ages with all kinds of foot and ankle conditions. His mission is to provide you with helpful information about foot and ankle issues and the latest developments in healthcare.