Even the ancient Greeks wrote about the "matte skin" of their goddesses. And despite the fact that we are not gods and far from ideal, oh shining well-groomed skin every woman dreams of.
Some representatives of the most beautiful half of humanity were lucky, without making additional efforts, to receive this gift from heaven. Others, less fortunate, but therefore more stubborn in their striving, are daily struggling with its shortcomings in search of an answer to the question: why is the skin on the legs dry and even flaky?
Conditional factors excessive dryness leg skin can be divided into two broad groups: external and internal causes
Main external causes
Among external factors Experts identify the following contributing to the emergence of this problem:
- Allergy;
- Stress and overwork;
- External aggressive environment (pool, ecology, ultraviolet, etc.);
- Age and hormonal changes, etc.
And if you turn to a dermatologist with a question: why is my skin on my legs dry and flaky, with a probability of 99.9% the elimination of the problem will be due to drug treatment external causes.
It is important to take regular care of your feet. An allergic reaction can be caused by food. Sweets, citrus fruits and milk sometimes cause bright rashes and itching.
Allergic reaction can be caused by food
In the age of global employment, a race without the right to make a mistake and stop, where the fashionable concept of "stress resistance" has become a decisive competence for each category of workers, when there is less and less time for sleep, the human body responds with unpleasant reciprocity. This is why the skin on the legs is dry and flaky.
The ecological environment of technogenic civilization, hydrocarbon emissions into the atmosphere, polluted water are also reflected in the protective skin layer. Even going to the pool can cause a non-standard reaction of the body.
Chemicals for cleaning and disinfecting water, destroying microorganisms, can also harm the human body. More often, ozonation of water is used for these purposes, as well as reagents containing chlorine or bromine.
Carefully! Chlorine is a poisonous gas. It was first used as a weapon of mass destruction in 1915 during the First World War at the Battle of Ypres, when about 6,000 people died from poisoning.
It is believed that bromine is added to prisoners, psychiatric patients and military personnel to reduce aggressiveness. However, we should not forget that this is also a poison. A bromine leak that occurred on Knowledge Day 2011 in Chelyabinsk during a fire in bromine containers at a railway station, when, according to official figures, more than 300 people sought medical help.
lovers chocolate tan are also at risk. Why? Because the skin on the legs is dry, and flaky, and prematurely ages from excess ultraviolet radiation. It is no coincidence that our ancestors hid from the sun under lace umbrellas and wide-brimmed hats, and flaunting their legs was considered the height of indecency.
Unfortunately or fortunately, which side to look at, a person, like any natural derivative, is born, matures, grows old and dies. With age - as we know from commercials - all metabolic processes slow down including collagen production and hyaluronic acid necessary for a beautiful old age without wrinkles and plastic surgery.
From time immemorial, people have been looking for magical means to stay beautiful and young, jumping into a cauldron of milk, looking for “rejuvenating apples”. And I want to believe that one day scientists will create such a miracle yogurt to do without a scalpel and stretched skin. Why not? Who wants to have dry skin on their feet. Let it be radiant and not peel off.
Main internal causes
The famous Canadian psychologist Liz Bourbos has been doing educational work and writing books on psychosomatics since 1982. The main idea of her teaching is that pain and illness are only external manifestations of internal psychological problems and conflicts. Thus, dry skin can be caused by a psychological condition.
Modern medicine knows a disease called ichthyosis. The disease got its name because of the "fish" scales that appear on the skin. Scientists are of the opinion that this is a hereditary disease. However, its causes are still unclear and are justified by incomprehensible gene mutations. Who knows, maybe one of us is a descendant of a mermaid and an amphibian man?
Psychosomatics claims that dry skin indicates that its owner does not want to show vulnerability and softness to the surrounding society, and when this internal conflict is eliminated, the disease itself will go away.
Attentive attitude to yourself and timely reaction to changes in the body will help to avoid serious problems.
Fungal infections often affects the legs, the nails exfoliate, the skin in the folds between the fingers becomes thinner and flaky. Thanks to advances in medicine, this disease is now easily treated.
Disturbed water balance not only leads to obesity, but also spoils the skin. A miraculous two liters of water a day will cleanse the body of toxins, fill the stomach, not allowing you to eat too much, and enrich your skin and blood with the necessary oxygen.
Vitamin A and E deficiency especially during the winter months leads to peeling of the skin of the legs and fingers.
What are the signs to watch out for
Dryness and flaking of the skin can be a symptom of a serious illness (skin cancer, diabetes, etc.), with which you need to see a doctor immediately, get help and relieve nervous tension from the alarming signals of the subconscious.
Pay attention to the following indicative phenomena of your body:
- new moles appear at a high speed;
- moles change their shape and size;
- severe itching;
- poor wound healing.
How to deal with dryness and flaking
There are many ways to deal with dryness and flaking:
Folk remedies
Apply any oil (vegetable, butter, aromatic), any fat cream, everything that is suitable at home.
medicines
Medicines can be purchased at a pharmacy. Vitamin complexes use in the winter months. Do not neglect the medicines prescribed by your doctor.
Trays
For the period of exacerbations, it is better to refuse baths with hot water, preferring warm, comfortable water with aromatic oils, having previously tested for an allergic reaction - that is, by dropping one drop on the inside of the wrist. Be especially careful with cinnamon and orange oils.
Baths are used as home remedies to reduce skin flaking. Wrap
If you have the opportunity and desire, you can go to the spa for a wrap: chocolate, honey, seaweed. Anything your heart desires and your wallet will pay for. It is extremely inconvenient to carry out this procedure at home: soiled sheets and furniture, and flooring, and clothes can spoil the enjoyment of the skin care procedure.
Slogan: "Everything is in chocolate!" sounds good from the TV screen, but in reality it is sometimes a long aftertaste.
Change of methods of depilation
If the angels, distributing virtues and virtues, have deprived you of the ideal skin of the legs, then you will have to be more careful about the choice of depilation products. Be attentive to yourself!
If you see that after an electric depilator the skin becomes dry, irritated and flaky, why not try waxing or sugar paste on your legs.
If these tools do not allow you to achieve the desired ideal effect, you can try the time-consuming method of manual depilation with tweezers.
And when your patience runs out (we think it will happen soon enough), read a book about how our predecessors lived comfortably without self-flagellation in the form of painful hair removal from armpits, legs, etc.
Before the procedure, it is necessary to prepare the areas of the body where the epilation will be performed. By the way, many modern fashion designers believe that long skirt, covering the entire legs of a woman, creates a refined chaste image and a certain piquancy to its owner.
In what cases self-medication is unacceptable
Important to remember! Self-medication is unacceptable when it comes to serious skin diseases, or there is a chance of infecting others. If the skin is covered with bleeding sores and cracks, it does not provide a protective layer of the body against infections.
Especially if the itching becomes unbearable and interferes with effective communication And professional activity. Experienced trained dermatologist with good advice can provide qualified assistance.
Prevention of dryness and flaking
- Drink at least 2 liters of water.
- Eat fish enriched with amino acids.
- If possible, reduce the heating power of the battery to 20-22 degrees in the room, providing the body with more comfortable stay in him.
- Provide extra humidification by installing a humidifier or simply pouring water into a bowl and placing it on the battery.
- Don't wear nylon tights in frost. Warm up when you go outside. We have only one foot for life.
Proper water balance is the key to healthy skin Perhaps we will go down in world history as a generation of selfless women who voluntarily subject themselves to regular year-round painful depilation.
Or maybe we will remain misunderstood creatures of the coming era, and we will be replaced by depilated handsome men. Time will show!
How to properly care for your feet
Very often, many women and men abolish foot care. There are many reasons for this, but the consequences may not be recoverable. In order for the legs to withstand the dynamics of life and continue to carry out their function, it is important to properly and efficiently care for them.
Cleansing. General concept
In order for the foot to look well-groomed and healthy, it is necessary to carry out cleansing procedures. To do this, you need to steam the feet and use a specialized machine or stone to remove dead and coarse skin particles. Be sure to massage this area.
This will help not only restore blood flow, but also relax the whole body after a stressful day. It is worth remembering and giving preference to the use of the cream for its intended purpose. It should have a dense texture.
Usually, after applying such a product, it is recommended to wear socks of natural fabrics. It is also better not to stay awake after the procedure. This care regimen should be done at least four times a month. The skin will become perfect, and the legs will not know fatigue.
Foot baths should be done not only during high temperatures outside, but also the rest of the year. From many problems, only a systematic washing of this part of the body can be a protector.
Use means of directed action, based on the needs and problems of the limbs. The addition of edible or aromatic oils to the water during such procedures has a positive effect.
For the category of active people, baths with sea salt because they don't take much time or effort. This will help relieve fatigue and pain, as well as restore blood flow to the limbs, which will prevent many vascular diseases, so that later you don’t have to wonder why the skin on the legs is dry and flaky.
There are many herbal formulations that will ideally work in this direction:
- Dry mint and St. John's wort refresh the feet.
- The coniferous family, thyme and oak are a reliable barrier against excessive secretion of the glands.
- Calendula and chamomile leaves disinfect and promote the healing of microtraumas.
- The liquid after boiling potatoes instantly softens the feet.
- Dry mustard powder stimulates the protective function of the body.
Alternation of temperatures has a positive effect on the skin of the feet when taking baths or contrast showers.
Regarding the temperature regime, it is worth understanding the root cause that prompts you to do such a procedure and determine the presence or absence of diseases of the veins and blood vessels.
The classic time interval is 5 minutes, and with increased secretion it is minimized by half. Water should be at a comfortable temperature.
In case of vein disease and associated inflammatory processes, it is recommended to use a cooling bath.
However, we are not talking about cold water in the full sense, but about preparing its temperature slightly lower than the main one that is available in the room.
Such procedures will normalize the optimal ratio of skin balance and the production of its secretion. As a result of foot care, the skin will become healthy and foot diseases will not be able to touch it.
We hope the information from our article was useful to you and you were able to determine the main reasons why the skin on the legs is dry and flaky.
Take care of yourself and be healthy!
20-02-2016
32 336
Verified Information
This article is based on scientific data written by experts and verified by experts. Our team of licensed nutritionists and estheticians strives to be objective, open-minded, honest and present both sides of an argument.
Dry skin on the legs is a problem that most women face. First, the skin begins to coarsen, then peel off and crack, which, of course, brings a lot of discomfort to life. Firstly, if you have such a problem in the summer, you can’t wear open shoes, and secondly, cracks in the legs cause severe.
To deal with such a problem at home is not only possible, but also necessary. But before talking about how to do it, you need to understand why the skin on your feet dries.
Dry skin on the legs can occur due to uneven blood circulation as a result of wearing uncomfortable shoes or tight tights. Moreover, such factors can contribute not only to the appearance of dryness. skin but also development varicose disease veins, which is characterized by the appearance of "asterisks" on the skin and bulging veins.
It is worth noting that tight tights"seal" the skin, preventing it from breathing normally, which leads to a violation water balance. Moreover, not only tights can contribute to this, but also pajamas that fit snugly to the body, and as a result, not only does dry skin of the legs appear and peel off, but also the functioning of blood vessels worsens.
Also, the skin on the legs dries and itches as a result of exposure to cold temperatures, for example, when a woman often puts on short dresses in winter and goes out. This situation is aggravated by frequent hair removal.
In some cases, dry skin on the legs can be caused by cosmetical tools that a woman uses daily at home. It can be regular soap, shower gel or body milk. When choosing cosmetics, carefully study its composition. It must contain natural oils and ceramides, which help moisturize the skin.
Frequent use of chlorinated water can also lead to. If you do not have the opportunity to use other water, then after each washing of your feet, treat them with nourishing creams.
It should also be noted that dry skin on the legs and other parts of the body may be the result of a disease, such as diabetes, psoriasis or dermatitis. In this case, to fix the problem, you need the help of a specialist. After all, you can return the skin to its normal state only after you eradicate the very cause of its dryness.
An important role in this is played by the age of the woman. The older she is, the drier her skin becomes. After 40 years, it takes a lot of effort to restore healthy and healthy skin to the skin. beautiful view. For this, it is recommended to use professional cosmetics.
What to do if your skin is dry and flaky? What are the methods of folk and traditional medicine will be the most acceptable and in demand? Experienced and skillful tips for every user!
If you have very dry skin on your feet, you should exercise after it. proper care. Make it a rule to treat it daily with moisturizers. You just need to apply them open pores. And for this you need to do foot baths or take a hot shower or bath daily.
If you have dry skin on your feet, then you need to thoroughly steam it before applying a moisturizer, so it absorbs the maximum of nutrients.
For dry skin, you can not use ordinary alkaline soaps. They will contribute to its even greater overdrying, as a result of which the skin will begin to peel off strongly. It is better to use liquid soaps that contain oils. They gently cleanse the skin without harming it.
While taking a shower, it is necessary to do a massage, which will help improve blood circulation in the tissues and their nutrition. To do this, simply point the jet of water at your feet and relax. After this procedure, the skin does not need to dry the skin. It should only be slightly blotted with a towel, and smeared with a moisturizer on top.
Instead of cream, you can use various vegetable oils, which not only soften the skin, but also saturate it with vitamins. For these purposes, olive, almond and linseed oil. They are applied to the skin and left for a couple of minutes. Then they take paper napkin and just remove the excess.
To prevent painful cracks on the heels, it is necessary to regularly remove the keratinized layer of skin from them. To do this, you can use a pumice stone, but in no case a razor. It severely injures the skin, which increases the risk of infection.
Apply a pumice stone before water procedures especially if the skin on the legs is dry and itchy. So you can remove a lot more dead particles. After you treat your heels, wash them under running water, dry and lubricate with a nourishing cream.
In order for the skin on the legs not to be dry, moisturizing masks should also be done regularly. They can be purchased at any cosmetics store or you can make your own from products that you have at home.
Moisturizing masks for dry skin of the legs at home
If you have dry skin on your feet, make it a rule to regularly (at least 2 times a week) make moisturizing masks. To do this, it is not at all necessary to spend a lot of money on the purchase of exotic ingredients. They can be prepared from improvised means.
For example, if you have an oil solution of vitamin A or E at home, as well as cream or sour cream, then by combining these ingredients you can get an excellent moisturizing foot mask. Apply the resulting mixture to the skin and leave for 20 minutes. Remove the rest of the mask with a paper towel.
Or you can purchase a little lavender or mint essential oil and add a few drops to your common remedy foot care. Use it in the same way as before, after two or three applications of this product, dry skin on the legs will be more hydrated and supple.
In addition, if you have fresh apples at home, then you can make a mask from them, which will not only help moisturize the skin of your feet, but also prevent the appearance of cracked heels. To do this, take an apple, cut it into slices and pour a small amount milk. Then put the container on a slow fire and cook the apples until they turn into porridge.
Then let the mixture cool slightly and apply it on the feet and shins. Wrap your feet in plastic and put on warm socks. After 40 minutes, rinse them with warm water, and lubricate the skin with a moisturizer.
An excellent moisturizing effect for the treatment of dry skin on the legs will be a mask made from baby cream. For one procedure, you will need 4 tsp. cream, raw egg white, 1 tsp butter and 2 tsp. pulp raw potatoes. Mix all these ingredients until smooth and apply on the skin of the feet. Wash off the mask with warm water after 30 minutes.
Prevention
Remember that it is much easier to prevent dry skin on your feet than it is to treat it. For this you need:
- wear only comfortable shoes;
- refuse to wear tight leggings and tight tights;
- review your diet and include more fresh vegetables and fruits;
- regularly carry out procedures to remove dead skin particles;
- make moisturizing masks;
- stop using ordinary soap and scented shower gels.
If the skin on the legs is very dry, then you need to devote more time to caring for the damaged areas, moisturize your legs every evening with cosmetics or oils from a pharmacy or home production.
Now you know exactly what to do if the skin on your feet dries! Let all the above recommendations and tips help you restore your skin and make your legs flawless regardless of the season!
Video on how to take care of your feet
Excessive separation of dead cells of the epidermis is manifested by peeling of the skin. This problem is well known to women, although it does not bypass men. Absolutely any type of skin can be exposed to this phenomenon - dry, normal and oily skin, but still most often peeling is present on dry skin.
Causes of peeling skin
The main factor that provokes peeling of the skin is the external environment - dirty air and water, improper hygiene, the use of aggressive chemicals, and so on.
But there are a number of dermatological diseases that are always combined with the phenomenon in question. One of these is ichthyosis
. This is a hereditary pathology, the nature of which is still a mystery to both medicine and science. Ichthyosis is characterized by severe peeling of the skin, accompanied by itching. The skin color with the progression of the disease becomes gray-white, small scales appear on it, which may have various shades- from mother-of-pearl to pink. The skin of a person who has ichthyosis is constantly in the process of inflammation, and even slight irritation from the outside can lead to an aggravation of the process and the development of complications in the form of purulent dermatitis. Especially often, complications of ichthyosis develop against the background of the use of ordinary soap.
In addition to ichthyosis, the following dermatological diseases are accompanied by peeling of the skin:
- dry erythema;
In addition, some diseases can lead to the development of skin peeling. internal organs chronic, secondary.
In any case, if peeling of the skin of the eyelids appears, then it is necessary to seek help from specialists - both a dermatologist and a cosmetologist should examine.
Peeling of the scalp
The scalp can also flake for various reasons. Each of them requires the intervention of a specialist.
Firstly, the phenomenon under consideration can provoke an improperly selected shampoo or hair conditioner. Often, after using such detergents, a person notices dandruff in himself - this is the peeling of the scalp, which can only be corrected by choosing the “right” shampoo. And a cosmetologist or trichologist will help to do this - experts will determine the type of hair and skin type, establish true reason appearance.
Secondly, peeling of the scalp is also observed in some dermatological diseases - for example, with and / or. In this case, only a doctor will help solve the problem.
Thirdly, such banal factors as prolonged exposure to the open sun, frequent use of styling products (hair sprays, foams, gels, hairdressing wax and others), constant shampoo changes, constant hair styling with a hairdryer can also lead to skin peeling. heads. You can solve the problem on your own, but it is advisable to visit a specialist in order to receive qualified and effective medical care.
Peeling skin on hands
Naturally, the frequent use of aggressive chemicals can lead to such a phenomenon, but most often the phenomenon in question on the hands is provoked by some kind of health problem.
The most common causes of peeling skin on the hands:
Note:if peeling on the hands appeared suddenly and is accompanied by severe itching and burning, then you need to see a doctor. Most likely, it is actively developing, and this disease implies not only an examination of the patient, but also the appointment of a full-fledged drug therapy.
Peeling skin on legs
The phenomenon in question on the legs may be a sign of the development of serious diseases.
Dry skin on the legs most often appears in winter and autumn. It is during this period that the human body is most weakened and requires maximum care. This article will tell you about what provokes dry skin on the legs and how to get rid of it.
Causes
Dry skin on the legsmay occur for the following reasons:
- Moisture deficiency in the upper layer of the skin is the most common cause dryness of the epidermis of the legs. In addition to dryness in this state, a person can also experience a feeling of tightness and peeling.
The very lack of moisture in the skin can be due to two reasons. The first reason is a sharp violation of blood circulation. As a result, tissues will not receive necessary nutrition and humidity.
The second reason is the use of synthetic underwear and clothes in which the skin does not "breathe" and cannot replenish its water balance.
- Phlebeurysm, in addition to pain, it can also cause pathological dryness of the legs, especially on the lower leg. In this state, a person should immediately consult a doctor, because this disease can cause a blood clot in the veins and blood vessels.
- Poor or bad balanced diet, in which a person does not receive even half useful substances. In this condition, he can develop not only dry skin, but also dull hair, rashes, thinning of the nail plate, lethargy, frequent respiratory diseases.
Moreover, frequent adherence to too restrictive diets also has a bad effect on the functioning of the body, so a person can “earn” not only dry skin of the legs, but also problems with the digestive tract.
- Insufficient cosmetic moisturizing of the skin of the legs. At the same time, many women pay close attention to moisturizing the skin of the face, arms and neck, but they often forget about the legs (especially the feet), although this part of the body is in great need of constant care.
Dryness of the feet is especially pronounced in this case, it can occur in older people who, according to physiological reasons become more susceptible to this problem.
- Seasonal beriberi can cause temporary dryness of the skin of the legs.
- Incorrectly selected cosmetics for foot skin care can not only lead to dryness, but also cause irritation and redness of the skin. Even more dangerous are low-quality or stitched creams and lotions.
- The lack of a procedure for cleansing the skin from dead cells can lead to roughness of the skin and its severe peeling. Especially those people who spend a lot of time "on their feet" need it.
- Bad habits - Smoking and drinking are negatively reflected in the work of the whole organism and can easily cause dryness of the skin of the legs. Moreover, smoking has been shown to increase early aging epidermis, so youth and cigarettes are not compatible concepts.
- Various diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, psoriasis or eczema can cause pathological dryness of the skin, as they have a strong negative effect on the body's systems. Moreover, hormonal imbalance can also be badly displayed on the condition of the skin of the legs.
- Fungal infections. This is usually observed with a weakened immune system, during which a person becomes more susceptible to various external diseases.
What does itching mean?
Itchy skin on the legs is usually due to an allergic reaction. Anything can be the source of itching - food, poor-quality clothing, taking certain medications, etc.
Most likely, in this condition, the patient will be prescribed antihistamines and ointments.
Methods for treating dry skin on the legs
There are such methods for the treatment of dry skin on the legs:
- Getting rid of the root cause of dry skin.
- Medical treatment.
- The use of cosmetics.
- Folk recipes.
Let's consider each of these methods in more detail.
Removing the cause
Treatment for dry skin on the feet depends on the specific cause that caused this disorder.
Thus, there are the following nuances of the initial therapy:
- If dryness caused a specific disease(diabetes mellitus, varicose veins, eczema, etc.), then a person must definitely prescribe a complex medical therapy for these diseases. This is the only way to get rid of such a manifestation of pathology.
- In the event that dry skin was caused by a deficiency of nutrients, a person needs to contact a nutritionist to prescribe a balanced menu for him. In this case, your diet should be enriched with fruits, vegetables, herbs, cereals and meat. Nuts, honey, dried fruits are also very useful, dairy products and seafood.
As an additional saturation of the body with useful substances, a person is recommended to take vitamin complexes (vitamin A, E, C, etc.). The duration of such a course should be at least a month.
- If dry skin has caused allergic reaction on the drug, it must be discontinued. Also, for the relief of allergies, a person may be prescribed medications.
- If the use of synthetic clothing has caused dry skin, it should be discarded and replaced with better natural clothing.
Medicines
The prescription of medications for dry skin largely depends on the specific cause that caused the problem.
Thus, the following medications can be prescribed to a person:
- An allergic reaction is treated with antihistamines.
- At skin diseases(eczema. dermatitis) softening ointments with petroleum jelly or glycerin are used. Lactic acid creams may also be prescribed.
- If diabetes mellitus has become the cause of dry skin, then the patient is prescribed drugs to normalize blood sugar levels and stabilize blood pressure.
- If the cause of dry skin is varicose veins, then a person is prescribed vascular preparations in the form of tablets and ointments.
It is important to know what to take on your own medical preparations It can be dangerous, so all your actions must be coordinated with your doctor.
Cosmetical tools
The following cosmetic products will help to cope with dry skin of the legs:
- Essential oils. They will deeply nourish the epidermis and saturate it with useful substances. You can use these products daily after taking a shower.
Most effective oils for dry skin, peach, almond, tea tree and flaxseed oils are considered.
- Milk for dry skin. They should replace regular soap. It will cleanse the skin more gently and not overdry it.
- Moisturizing cream. You need to use this tool every day in the morning and in the evening.
Folk recipes
Consider the most effective folk recipes from dry skin of the feet:
- Foot polishing. To do this, you need to make a preliminary foot bath, after which get rid of dead skin with a special pedicure file. At the end of the procedure, rinse your feet again with water and apply a fat cream.
Put on plastic bags and warm woolen socks on your feet. Repeat the procedure twice a week.
- Remedy for dry knees. To prepare it, you need to squeeze the juice of a lemon and mix it with almond oil. Apply the product to a damp towel and apply to your knees. After fifteen minutes, remove and lubricate the knees with cream.
At the end of the procedure, you will receive not only a smooth epidermis, but also a fresh one. nice smell skin.
- Cucumber water. To prepare it, you need to squeeze the juice from a fresh cucumber and add a little alcohol to it. Insist for three days.
Apply this product with massage movements on dry skin.
- Baths with herbs. They moisturize the skin, relieve microcracks, dryness and irritation. For their preparation, you can use chamomile, nettle or hops.
First you need to pour boiling water over the herbs, and when the water cools down a bit, take a foot bath.
Features of different zones
Human legs can be divided into several zones - foot, lower leg, knee area and thigh. Each of these areas can suffer from dry skin for its own specific reasons.
Allocate such possible reasons dryness of the skin of the legs in different areas:
- The causes of dry skin on the soles of the feet are the use of uncomfortable shoes that rub the skin and improper care(insufficient cleansing and moisturizing).
- Dry skin on the shins usually develops due to beriberi and varicose veins veins.
- Dryness of the epidermis in the knee area is due to a lack of skin nutrition and the use of synthetic tights.
- The problem of dryness on the inside of the thigh arises from the use of chafing pants.
- General dryness hips can occur due to a lack of vitamin.
In addition, it is worth knowing that each specific case of dry skin of the legs is individual, therefore, in one person, dry skin on the legs can be caused by one reason, in another - by completely different factors.
When to See a Doctor
You should consult a doctor at the first signs of dry skin.
It would not be wise to postpone a visit to the doctor, because often a person simply cannot determine the exact cause of his problem on his own.
An experienced doctor will conduct an examination and prescribe a series of tests, after which a clear clinical picture. The specialist will definitely give the necessary recommendations for the treatment or care of dry skin of the feet.
In the event that dry skin was caused by a disease, and the person did not go to the doctor, the pathology can begin to progress and cause unwanted complications. To prevent this, it is better not to delay the trip to the therapist and dermatologist.
Prevention
To prevent the appearance of dry skin on the legs, you should adhere to following recommendations doctor:
- When the first signs of dry skin appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.
- Timely diagnose and treat those diseases that can cause dry skin of the legs.
- It is important to eat a balanced diet. The diet should be rich in nutrients. Additionally, during the off-season, you need to take vitamin complexes.
- If you want to get rid of excess weight, then the diet should be compiled by an experienced nutritionist. You should not test your body with unverified nutrition methods on your own.
- Do not use regular soap to wash your feet, as it dries out the skin. Instead, it is better to use a soft milk, gel or lotion.
It is important to carefully care for the skin of the legs - get rid of dead skin cells with scrubs, moisturize the skin. This is especially true for the feet.
In addition, it is worth knowing that any cosmetic products for skin care of the legs should be applied after the pores open. Thus, it is more effective to use them after taking a shower or foot bath.
- It is very useful to make various foot masks. You can cook them yourself at home from natural ingredients. It is also extremely useful to do a foot massage using essential oils(linen, peach, almond). They will perfectly moisturize the skin, improve blood circulation and nourish it with vitamins.
- Use only comfortable shoes that do not rub your feet.
- It is better to refuse the use of synthetic underwear and tights. It is better to replace them with cotton ones.
Dry skin on the legs can be in both men and women. It's not worth it to be ashamed, because this problem observed in almost every third person. Using the above tips, you can quickly bring the skin in this area to normal.
Photo: Before and after
Very often, women and men complain about peeling of the skin of the foot. Such a violation not only brings aesthetic changes, but also causes discomfort to patients.
The main thing is to consult a doctor at the first symptoms and start timely treatment. The doctor will determine the cause of the pathology and select a competent treatment based on the results of laboratory diagnostics.
timely health care will avoid the development of serious complications and get rid of the symptoms of the disease. If you do not start therapy, the usual peeling of the feet can lead to serious inflammation and pain while walking.
What is this article about?
Why do the feet itch and peel
The cause of exfoliation and flaking of the epidermis can be external factors, malfunctions of internal organs, infections in the form of bacteria, viruses and fungi, elementary non-compliance hygiene rules. If you detect the problem in time and establish the true cause of the violation, you can quickly get rid of the problem and restore the condition of the skin.
Impact of external factors
Often, the lower limbs in adults begin to peel off and peel off due to the influence of the external environment. The reason is the wearing of low-quality uncomfortable shoes made of unnatural material, the frequent use of high heels.
The soles can peel off due to long-term wearing of hosiery and socks. If the shoes are made of poor quality material, the skin on the feet cannot fully breathe due to clogged pores.
During certain weather conditions, severe dryness of the skin can also appear. With frost and low humidity, adults and children often develop a kind of allergic reaction in the form of peeling. Therefore, during cold weather, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the legs and do not forget to take care of them.
- If cosmetic products contain harmful additives and are of poor quality, they can not only dry out the feet, but also provoke allergies. In this case, additional treatment with antihistamines will be required.
- When cosmetics contain alkaline substances, it also dries out the skin. Shower products lead to a similar reaction on the legs if they are used every day.
- The epithelium on the feet can peel off if the air in the room is too dry. You can avoid this if you often ventilate the room and use humidifiers.
Improper nutrition
Since the condition of the skin is directly dependent on the work of the internal processes of the body, pathology can be caused by metabolic disorders, lack of vitamins and minerals.
Feet can itch and itch if the human body does not get enough fluid. Smoked and salty dishes also increase thirst. In order for the skin condition not to change, you need to drink at least 2.5 liters of water per day, without taking into account tea and soup.
Including common problems leading to dry skin on the legs include a lack or, conversely, an overdose of nutrients. When the body lacks vitamin B and D, the heels begin to peel and itch, the skin on the fingers peels off.
Hypervitaminosis can also cause skin problems. In particular, an increased concentration of vitamin C often dries out the skin.
A similar reaction is sometimes caused by certain trace elements, the content of which is exceeded.
What diseases cause peeling of the skin on the soles of the feet
Very often, the reason why itching, whitening and peeling on the feet appears is infection with a fungal infection. Symptoms of the disease can already be seen on initial stage when the legs begin to itch.
The presence of a fungus can be judged if nail plates deformed and compacted. At the same time, the epithelium flakes off, the feet itch and hurt. A later stage of infection is accompanied by rashes and hyperemia of the skin.
Fungal infection occurs in in public places by direct contact with an infected person or his things. Also, disputes can be on objects in the bath, sauna, shower, pool.
Athlete's foot
A very common fungal pathology is epidermophytosis of the foot. You can recognize it by deep cracks between the fingers and on the heels.
Additionally, the disease is accompanied by reddening of the skin, intense itching, and an unpleasant odor. Numerous foci of peeling are observed on the feet.
If the disease is not treated for a long time, in severe form, the cracks are replaced by bleeding wounds, and the nails are severely deformed.
Rubromycosis of the foot
Also, the skin on the legs begins to peel off when infected with rubromycosis of the feet. Such a fungus is considered popular, it affects not only the skin between the fingers and on the heels, but also the nails themselves.
The disease is weeping in nature, while the person feels a burning sensation and itching. The skin folds on the fingers and between them are covered with small cracks.
If treatment is not started in time, the epidermis begins to exfoliate, multiple bleeding and difficult to heal wounds appear on the feet. Infection with the fungus occurs through close contact with the source of infection and the sharing of household items.
foot candidiasis
Such a fungus on the feet is not common, but infection with it is possible. The disease is caused by pathogenic yeast-like fungi Candida, which are found in the natural microflora of the body of each person.
Under the influence of certain factors, microorganisms are activated and rapidly begin to grow. This leads to the formation of an inflammatory focus, which is sometimes localized on the legs and arms.
Developing fungal infection at diabetes, dysbacteriosis, hepatitis C, HIV infection, disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, chronic infectious processes in the body, long-term use of antibiotics and other drugs.
The affected skin is very flaky, itchy, after a while the feet become covered with small wounds and microcracks. Since the activity of fungi is primarily caused by a decrease in immunity, the patient needs to strengthen the immune system.
Other reasons
There are other factors that lead to excessive dryness of the skin on the legs. Often the cause of dermatological problems is profuse sweating. This condition indicates the presence of violations in the work of internal systems, therefore, complex treatment is required.
Psoriasis is a lifelong disease that also increases the flaking of the skin on the feet. Such a disease cannot be treated, but the condition of the skin can be improved by proper nutrition, reference healthy lifestyle life, as well as the use of certain drugs and the use of medicated ointments.
When wearing uncomfortable and poor-quality shoes, the skin is injured, calluses form, which causes dryness and itching. Also, the heels often crack due to disruption of the valves in varicose veins.
If a child complains of peeling skin on the legs, the reasons may be the same as in adults. However, in infants upper layer The epidermis often separates when dermatitis develops.
It could also be an allergy to synthetic clothing and cheap low-quality cosmetics.
Diagnosis of a fungal infection
To identify the cause of flaky skin on the legs, the doctor prescribes a laboratory and instrumental examination. The doctor also examines the skin, assesses the severity of the lesion and symptoms, studies the medical history, and asks the patient about the presence of provoking factors.
To study the general condition of a person, the patient takes a general and biochemical blood test, and the blood is also studied for hormones and bacterial culture. Additionally, feces and urine are examined for the presence of infection in the body. If the internal organs are damaged, the patient undergoes an ultrasound examination.
Particles of the affected skin are subjected to histological examination, for this they take a skin scraping. If bubbles are found on the feet, a bacterial culture of their fluid is performed.
How to treat peeling skin on the feet
In the presence of fungal diseases, special creams, gels and ointments are used. To the most effective drugs local action include Nystatin, Ketoconazole. Severe foot lesions are eliminated by taking a course of treatment with Lamisil or Itraconazole tablets.
If there is severe itching and burning, antihistamines are prescribed, including Suprastin, Zirtek, Zodak. Before using the medicine, be sure to read the instructions and study the description to make sure there are no contraindications.
In case of dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis and other skin diseases are treated with steroid drugs. Local anti-inflammatory ointments Fenistil and Bepanten are also used. You can get rid of itching with the help of corticosteroid drugs.
- To disinfect the skin, you need to do foot baths with the addition of potassium permanganate. For this, the substance is diluted in water heated to 40 degrees until a dark color is obtained. The legs are dipped into the liquid and incubated for 20 minutes. After the foot is thoroughly dried, a therapeutic ointment is applied to the skin and cotton socks are put on the feet.
- Moisturizing and nourishing masks are excellent for softening the skin of the lower extremities. Two egg yolks are mixed with warm sunflower or olive oil in the amount of several spoons. The mixture is thoroughly whipped and applied to the washed feet, the legs are wrapped in polyethylene on top and insulated with socks. After an hour, the product is washed off.
- Three tablespoons of baby cream add 50 ml of chamomile decoction. At the same time, two tablespoons of starch are diluted in water until the consistency of sour cream is obtained. Ready mixtures are combined and smeared on the legs. The feet are wrapped in plastic wrap. After 30 minutes, the product is washed off. In order for the legs to be beautiful, smooth and healthy, you need to regularly monitor their condition. Doctors recommend doing contrast foot baths every day, changing warm water to cold.
To maintain smoothness after washing, blot the feet with a soft fluffy towel. Feet must be absolutely dry so that a favorable environment is not created for the spread of fungi. You can moisturize your heels with a special nourishing cream.
If the skin on the legs is damaged, the wound is treated with hydrogen peroxide. Proper balanced nutrition, intake of vitamins and minerals helps to normalize the condition of the skin.
- To improve blood flow in the feet, the legs are placed on an elevated surface every day in the evening.
- If the skin on the heels or feet begins to peel off, temporarily open shoes are changed to closed ones. Sandals can be worn again when the condition of the feet improves.
- Every day the feet are treated natural oils. Since hot water causes peeling, it is slightly cooled before taking baths.
- It is important to monitor the humidity in the apartment. If the air is dry, airing and installing a humidifier is required. Alternatively, a container of water is placed on the windowsill.
To increase blood flow in the legs and normalize metabolism throughout the body, light physical activity allows. Therefore, do not forget about jogging and walking in the fresh air.
Why the skin on the feet is peeling is described in the video in this article.
POLL: Do you trust traditional medicine?
Your opinion is very important to us!
