Ammonium lactate for feet: Foot Creams for Dry Skin – Podiatrist Recommended — FOOT & ANKLE CENTERS

14.06.202312.06.2023 by alexxlab

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.