San José, Costa Rica. February, 2016.

Skin fungi, diabetes mellitus, venous insufficiency, malnutrition, thyroid problems… Those are some of the most frequent diseases linked with feet skin dryness.

According to Dr. Maricela Álvarez, chiropodist from the Clínica Bíblica Hospital, “feet skin dryness may occur due to different factors, among these hot and windy seasons.”

As another factor, age increase may also dry feet, since elasticity is lost. Also, the wrong shoes, skin fungi or diabetes may be the cause.

These problems are more frequent in people with advanced age, in those who use open shoes a lot or the wrong size of shoes, in those who drink little water and in persons who do not hydrate with balms or moisturizers prepared especially for feet.

“This type of problems may affect many things from the aesthetics side up to the social part, since some people may feel the insecurity of shame about showing their feet. And, of course, it also affects their health, since dryness sometimes causes fissures in the skin which can become openings for bacteria and produce infections, and which may even end up in amputations,” said Dr. Álvarez.

• Increase water consumption.
• Do not use open shoes daily.
• Use adequate shoes in accordance with size.
• Make a habit of applying balms or moisturizers for feet.

Whenever you are not sure of whether it is a simple dryness or the presence of fungi on the skin, or if you are diabetic or suffer some disease that produces dryness, it is recommended to visit the chiropodist or a doctor to help guide you for adequate management and to prevent complications.

“Pay attention and do not neglect your feet. Remember that they are not less important than the rest of our body and deserve the attention of health professionals,” concluded the specialist.

In order to obtain further information or request an appointment in any of the medical specialties with the best doctors of Costa Rica, please contact the private hospital Clínica Bíblica at telephone number 2522-1000, at email citas@clinicabiblica.com or vía chat on the website www.clinicabiblica.com