Ammonium lactate for feet. Best Foot Creams for Dry Skin: Podiatrist-Recommended Solutions

14.06.202312.06.2023 by alexxlab

Why is moisturizing crucial for dry feet. How can specialized foot creams prevent cracked heels and fissures. Which ingredients are most effective for penetrating thick foot skin. What are the top podiatrist-recommended products for treating dry feet.

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Understanding the Unique Needs of Foot Skin

Foot skin differs significantly from the skin on other parts of the body. Its thickness and frequent exposure to friction necessitate specialized care. Why is this the case? The skin on our feet is naturally thicker to withstand the constant pressure and movement we subject it to daily. This thickness, while protective, can also make it more challenging for moisture to penetrate, leading to dryness, calluses, and even painful cracks or fissures.

Proper foot care, especially moisturizing, is not just about aesthetics. It’s a crucial aspect of overall foot health. Dry, cracked skin can lead to discomfort, pain, and even infections if left untreated. By understanding the unique needs of foot skin, we can better address these issues and maintain healthy, comfortable feet.

The Science Behind Effective Foot Moisturizers

Not all moisturizers are created equal, especially when it comes to foot care. The effectiveness of a foot cream depends largely on its ability to penetrate the thick skin of the feet. This is where specialized ingredients come into play. Ingredients like urea and ammonium lactate are particularly effective for foot care. Why? These compounds have keratolytic properties, meaning they can break down the tough, outer layer of skin, allowing moisture to penetrate more deeply.

Urea, in particular, stands out as a powerhouse ingredient in foot care. At higher concentrations (such as 40%), it not only moisturizes but also helps to gently exfoliate dead skin cells. This dual action makes it exceptionally effective for treating extremely dry, callused feet. Ammonium lactate, on the other hand, works by increasing skin cell turnover and improving the skin’s ability to retain moisture.

Key Ingredients to Look for in Foot Creams:

Urea (10-40%)
Ammonium lactate
Glycerin
Hyaluronic acid
Salicylic acid
Natural oils (e.g., coconut oil, shea butter)

Top Podiatrist-Recommended Foot Creams

Based on professional recommendations and proven efficacy, several foot creams stand out in the treatment of dry, callused feet. These products have been carefully selected for their ability to address the specific needs of foot skin.

1. Urea Cream 40%

Considered the gold standard for treating severely dry feet, 40% urea cream is highly recommended by podiatrists. Its high concentration of urea makes it particularly effective at breaking down thick, callused skin while providing deep hydration. How should it be used? Apply the cream at bedtime after bathing or soaking your feet. For best results, use nightly for 2-3 weeks.

2. Gormel 20% Urea Cream

For ongoing maintenance or less severe cases of dry skin, a 20% urea cream like Gormel can be an excellent choice. It provides many of the benefits of higher concentration urea creams but is gentler for daily use. Apply after bathing or showering to lock in moisture and prevent dryness from recurring.

3. Ammonium Lactate 12% Lotion

For mild dryness or occasional flare-ups, ammonium lactate lotion is a great option. While Amlactin is a well-known brand, generic versions offer the same formulation at a lower cost. This lotion is particularly effective at improving skin texture and preventing the buildup of dead skin cells.

Proper Application Techniques for Maximum Benefit

The effectiveness of foot creams isn’t just about the product itself; proper application is key to achieving the best results. How can you ensure you’re getting the most out of your foot cream?

Start with clean feet: Always apply cream to clean, dry feet. This ensures that the product can penetrate effectively without being blocked by dirt or debris.
Apply after bathing: The best time to apply foot cream is immediately after bathing or soaking your feet. Why? Your skin is most receptive to moisture at this time, and the cream can help lock in that hydration.
Focus on problem areas: Pay extra attention to areas prone to dryness, such as heels and the balls of your feet.
Massage thoroughly: Gently massage the cream into your skin until it’s fully absorbed. This not only ensures even coverage but also promotes circulation.
Consider overnight treatment: For intensive hydration, apply a thick layer of cream before bed and wear cotton socks overnight.

Consistency is key when it comes to foot care. Make applying foot cream a part of your daily routine for the best long-term results.

Complementary Treatments for Dry Feet

While moisturizing is crucial, it’s often most effective when combined with other foot care practices. What additional steps can you take to combat dry, callused feet?

Regular Exfoliation

Removing dead skin cells can significantly improve the effectiveness of moisturizers. How can you safely exfoliate your feet? There are several options:

Electric callus removers: Devices like the Pedinova Electric Pedicure Kit offer an efficient way to remove thick, callused skin. Use after bathing when skin is softer, but be careful not to over-exfoliate.
Manual foot files: Tools like the Microplane PedicureRasp provide a more budget-friendly option for manual exfoliation. While more labor-intensive, they offer precise control.
Pumice stones: A traditional method that’s gentle and effective for regular maintenance.

Foot Soaks

Regular foot soaks can help soften the skin, making it more receptive to moisturizers and easier to exfoliate. Consider adding Epsom salts or a few drops of essential oils to your foot bath for added benefits.

Hydration Boosters

For intensive treatments, especially for severely dry or cracked skin, consider using occlusive coverings. Silipos gel therapy socks, for example, can help lock in moisture when used overnight with a heavy-duty foot cream.

Addressing Underlying Causes of Dry Feet

While topical treatments are effective, it’s important to consider that persistent dry skin on the feet may have underlying causes. What conditions might be contributing to your dry feet?

Common Causes of Chronic Dry Feet:

Dermatitis: Various forms of dermatitis can cause dry, scaly skin on the feet. Unlike simple dryness, dermatitis often requires treatment with steroid creams.
Athlete’s Foot: This fungal infection can sometimes manifest as dry, scaly skin rather than the typical itchy rash. Antifungal treatments are necessary to resolve this condition.
Systemic Conditions: Diseases like psoriasis, eczema, and diabetes can affect skin health throughout the body, including the feet.
Environmental Factors: Cold weather, low humidity, and harsh soaps can all contribute to dry skin on the feet.

If dry skin persists despite consistent use of moisturizers and proper foot care, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional. A podiatrist, dermatologist, or primary care physician can help identify any underlying conditions and recommend appropriate treatments.

Preventive Measures for Long-Term Foot Health

Maintaining healthy, moisturized feet is an ongoing process. What steps can you take to prevent dry skin from recurring?

Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps keep your skin hydrated from the inside out.
Wear breathable footwear: Choose shoes and socks that allow your feet to breathe, reducing moisture buildup that can lead to dry skin and other issues.
Avoid harsh soaps: Use mild, moisturizing cleansers when washing your feet to avoid stripping natural oils.
Protect your feet: Wear shoes outdoors to protect your feet from environmental stressors.
Regular pedicures: Professional foot care can help maintain healthy skin and catch potential issues early.

By incorporating these practices into your routine, along with regular moisturizing, you can significantly improve and maintain the health of your feet.

Customizing Your Foot Care Routine

Everyone’s feet are unique, and what works for one person may not be ideal for another. How can you tailor your foot care routine to your specific needs?

Assessing Your Foot Type

Start by identifying your specific foot concerns. Do you have chronically dry heels? Thick calluses on the balls of your feet? Occasional dryness? Understanding your particular issues will help you choose the most appropriate products and treatments.

Seasonal Adjustments

Your foot care needs may change with the seasons. Many people find their feet become drier in winter months when humidity is low. Consider using richer creams during colder months and lighter lotions in summer.

Activity Level Considerations

If you’re very active or on your feet all day, you may need to moisturize more frequently or use more intensive treatments. Athletes, in particular, should pay close attention to foot care to prevent issues that could impact performance.

Allergies and Sensitivities

If you have sensitive skin or known allergies, always patch test new products before full application. Look for hypoallergenic options or consult with a dermatologist for recommendations.

Remember, the key to effective foot care is consistency and adaptation. Be prepared to adjust your routine as your needs change, and don’t hesitate to seek professional advice if you’re unsure about the best approach for your feet.

Foot Creams for Dry Skin – Podiatrist Recommended — FOOT & ANKLE CENTERS

Foot moisturizers for dry skin can be one of the best treatments for treating and preventing dry heels and feet. The skin on the feet is thicker than skin elsewhere and requires specialized creams that can penetrate this thicker skin.

Moisturizing with an appropriate cream or lotion designed for thick skin on the bottoms of the feet can help dissolve callused skin and keep cracked heels or heels fissures from developing. There are several products that we regularly recommend to our patients that can cure or prevent dry skin. We discuss those products below. First, please read this important disclosure about the products recommended in this article.

Specialized Moisturizers for the Thick Skin of the Feet

To work best on the feet creams and lotions must include an acid or similar ingredient that can help the moisturizer penetrate the skin.

Urea Cream 40%: The best choice for dry skin on feet

The most effective cream we have found for our patients contains 40% urea.

Directions – Standard: We recommend using Urea cream at bedtime following a bath, shower or soaking. The feet should be blotted dry with a towel and then the cream applied immediately. Rub gently until it is fully absorbed. Use every night for 2 – 3 weeks for the best results.

Directions – Severe / Fissures: If you have severely dry skin or fissures, then follow the instructions above but also cover your foot in an airtight soak overnight for the first week using the Urea cream. This “occlusive” covering will super-hydrate the skin. We recommend the use of a Silipos gel therapy sock to lock moisture in without restricting circulation.

Remove Thick Skin and Callus Weekly for Best Results

For the Urea cream to best penetrate the skin to assist with healing you will need to remove as much of the thick and callused skin as you can. There are several methods to do this.

One of the easiest ways is to use an electric callus remover. We have tried several and highly recommend the Pedinova Electric Pedicure Kit. This well-built rotary grinder comes with bits that are specifically designed to grind away callus (it comes with bits for thick toenails too).

We recommend grinding the calluses with the Pedinova right after bathing when your feet are still a little damp. If it starts to feel warm, then stop for a few seconds and then start again. If it starts to get warm very quickly then you have gone far enough.

A less expensive option, although much more work, is a manual foot file. Our favorite is the Microplane PedicureRasp which can often be found for less than $10.

Creams and Lotions for Preventing Return of Dry Skin

Once your skin is in better shape you will not likely need a cream as strong as Urea 40% to maintain your now smooth skin,

You will, however, want to continue to apply a penetrating moisturizer at least daily and after every bath or shower to prevent the problem from returning.

An excellent choice is simply to use a less concentrated Urea cream. We often recommend a 20% Urea cream used after every bath or shower. The Gormel 20% Urea cream is a respected brand that is well priced.

If you have very mild dryness or just an occasional flare-up, Urea is probably stronger than you need. In this situation, we recommend Ammonium Lactate lotion. Amlactin is the best-known brand but we recommend the generic Ammonium Lactate 12% lotion as it is the same formulation at significantly less cost.

What if the Dry Skin Continues?

There are many other conditions that can lead to dry skin so if you don’t see improvement within a couple of weeks see your podiatrist, your primary care doctor or your dermatologist.

Other conditions that lead to dry skin on the feet include:

Dermatitis: Dermatitis simply means “inflammation of the skin” and it can have many causes. It also can take on many appearances. Sometimes the skin is red and swollen but sometimes it just appears dry and scaly. Dermatitis will not likely respond to moisturizers and is often treated with steroid cream.

Athletes’ Foot: Athlete’s foot (or “tinea pedis”) is a fungal infection of the skin. Although it often itches it sometimes appears as only dry skin. Athlete’s foot is usually treated successfully with topical anti-fungal medications.

Systemic Conditions: There are some systemic conditions that can cause an appearance of dry skin on the feet. There are many but good examples are psoriasis and eczema.

Weather: Dry skin is more common in winter when humidity levels and temperature decrease. Many people find they only need to use the moisturizers in the winter.

Harsh soaps and shampoos. Many soaps and shampoos remove moisture from your skin as they are designed to remove oil.

When used on a regular basis a foot cream should help the skin become rehydrated and healthy once again – as long as you simply have dry skin. If you don’t see improvement it is a sign that something else might be causing the problem.

If you have skin that does not respond to the moisturizing plan described above, contact us for an appointment.

by Dipan Patel

Ammonium Lactate Topical: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing

Uses

This medication is used to treat dry, scaly skin conditions (such as xerosis, ichthyosis vulgaris) and can also help relieve itching from these conditions. This medication works by increasing the moisture in the skin.

How to use ammonium lactate topical

If you are using the lotion, shake the bottle well before using.

Apply a thin layer of this medication to the affected areas of the skin, usually twice daily or as directed by your doctor. Rub the medication thoroughly into the skin.

Be careful to avoid your eyes, lips, inside your mouth/nose, the vaginal area, and any areas of broken skin. Stinging or burning may occur when this medication is applied on the face, on chapped skin, or on a recently shaved area of the skin. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Inform your doctor if your skin condition does not improve or worsens.

Side Effects

Stinging, burning, and redness may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: darkening/lightening of the skin, small red dots on the skin.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

Before using ammonium lactate, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: wounds or sores on the skin.

This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Tell your doctor right away if you get sunburned or have skin blisters/redness.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval.

Does ammonium lactate topical interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose

This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Do not share this medication with others.

Some ways to help prevent dry skin include using lukewarm (not hot) water when bathing, taking baths/showers less often (such as every 1-2 days), keeping baths/showers short, and using a humidifier when the air is very dry.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.