Dry skin on the bottom of the feet are very common. However, it may not just be a lack of moisture or forgetting to use lotion on the area that is causing it. Many skin conditions that cause dry skin are due to other systemic medical conditions that have an effect on the feet and lower extremities.
The skin is made up of seven layers that make up the epidermis, more superficial, and the dermis, which is deeper. In any healthy person, their skin will react to the environment. For example, in the winter time, with decreased humidity, our skin tends to be more dry especially on the bottom of the feet and heels. This is also due regular loss of moisture causing dry flaky skin. However there are several local and systemic causes of dry skin on the feet, one of them being a condition called xerosis. Xerosis is referred to as the pathologic loss of water content in the epidermis. The incidence of xerosis is increased in older patients, and it is more common in dry climates with low humidity. Patients with xerosis have a decreased number of sebaceous sweat glands that contributes to this condition. Treatment of this condition includes trying to increase humidity and moisture, the use of topical emollients such as urea, and refrain from soaking the skin in strong soap or detergents that can irritate the skin.
