Xerosis Cutis and How to Treat It

Xerosis cutis is a foot problem that can be quite irritating, but there are ways to defeat it. We at Affiliated Ankle and Foot Care of Soldotna, AK want our patients with extra dry skin to know more about xerosis cutis and how to treat it.

Xerosis cutis is abnormally dry skin and is common on the feet. While this is a temporary condition, it is never welcome and there are ways to keep it away. The signs of xerosis cutis are characterized by dry, itchy, scaly skin, skin that is white and flaky, pink, red, and irritated skin, tight skin, and skin that has fine cracks in it. While getting older may decrease the oils in your skin, causing more dryness, environmental factors are to blame, as well. While taking a shower or bath, over-cleansing the skin, bathing too frequently, and using extra-hot water can all contribute to dry skin. Low humidity and cold, dry winters are also factors. Extended sun exposure, as well as not drinking enough water can also lead to dry skin. While some of these conditions are not easily changed, like winter conditions, there are a lot of ways that you can help moisturize your skin.

Short showers or baths with lukewarm water and gentle cleansers are recommended for bathing. Oil-based moisturizing lotions and drinking plenty of water will also help. For dry air in your home, using a humidifier is also beneficial. And be sure to use sunscreen!

To schedule an appointment with Affiliated Ankle and Foot Care of Soldotna, AK, call (907) 260-3668 or visit our website, www.hcotler.com. 

Tailor's Bunion

Tailor’s bunion are less common than a regular bunion, but can be just as painful and troublesome. Here at Affiliated Ankle and Foot Care, of Soldotna, AK, we want you to be able to identify the difference and maybe save yourself some trouble if you are experiencing foot pain.

While a regular bunion is a bump formed in the joint at the base of the big toe, a tailor’s bunion, also known as a bunionette, is formed in the joint at the base of the little toe. They earned their name, tailor’s bunion, by being a well-known foot problem of tailors. These days, the bunionettes are usually caused by not wearing proper shoes. Shoes that do not allow enough room for toes, high-heels, and pointy-toed shoes push in the little toe, deforming the base joint. Inherited predispositions to bunionettes are also to blame.

While the pain in a normal bunion is usually experienced in the bump that forms, with a bunionette, pain is usually felt inside of the joint. Toe spacers and foot padding worn inside shoes can help relieve pain and move the little toe back to its normal positon. Icing the area at the end of the day will also help relieve pain and swelling.

If you have been experiencing pain or even have developed a bump on your little toe joint, schedule an appointment here at Affiliated Ankle and Foot Care of Soldotna, AK. Call (907) 260-3668 or visit our website, www.hcotler.com.