When Skin Is Too Dry
Walking barefoot can strip your skin of its natural oil. So can wearing sandals or open shoes. Natural oils form a protective layer on your skin. Without enough oils, skin may crack. Cracks may widen, becoming deep fissures. These fissures may not be able to heal on their own. Cracks and fissures leave your foot open to infection. |
 |
When Skin Is Too Moist
Moist skin can result from not drying feet after bathing, or from excess sweat. Wearing shoes without socks or shoes and socks that don’t ventílate can trap sweat on your feet. Overly moist skin can encourage bacteria and fungus to grow. This weakens your skin, leading to cracks. Fungus can progress to athlete’s foot or thick fungal nails. |