Foot Fungus:

Misconception: Using moisturizers can always restore your dry, cracked feet.

Fact: 85% of the population has some form of foot or nail fungus (Tinea Pedis) which can result in severe dryness or cracking of the feet. In these cases, moisturizers do not address the underlying problem (fungus) and therefore are not an effective solution.

Superficial flaking or cracking of the skin IS a sign of dryness; however, what you may not realize is how easily dry feet can become infected with fungus.

When your feet are dry and have open cracks in the skin (even minor ones) it makes an entry point for fungus to attack.

Try to think of it this way: your skin is like a sponge…

If you walk barefoot in an area that is likely infected with a fungus (i.e. pools, showers, and hardwood floors) your broken skin will easily absorb the fungus and become infected.

When it happens, you often won’t notice anything wrong - except for the more persistent and sever dryness which follows.

And, if you’re like most people, you’ll try many tricks to rehydrate your feet – lathering on thick layers of moisturizer, putting your feet in bags or buying “breakthrough” products that make great promises but deliver very little.

If you’ve been there before or are there now, it’s important to first determine if fungus is in fact the root cause of your dryness. If so, an anti-fungal cream will always deliver the best result.  

Your goal (and my goal) is to ensure your feet have a strong, natural defense against fungus. Ideally, if your skin is well hydrated you could walk through a field of fungus and you wouldn’t catch anything, because your feet are not compromised.

Wearing natural fiber (cotton, wool, hemp or silk) socks and shoes is best for the skin of the feet as it helps the feet breath easily.  Also, if your feet are often giving you troubles, it could benefit you to rotate your shoes regularly. Doing so will air out your shoes more thoroughly and ensure the best condition for your feet.

If you know someone struggling with chronic dryness or cracking of the feet, I would be happy to help explore if a fungal condition is the root cause of their problem. We could then determine the most suitable anti-fungal product to disinfect and restore the feet’s natural defense system.