Anhidrosis
What is Anhidrosis ? It is the inability to sweat normally.
Very dry skin is known as anhidrosis and predisposes to more hard skin formation (particularly seed corns) and on heels there is often splitting skin. A simple moisturiser should be used at least once a day (ideally morning and night). Emulsifying ointment or Aqueous cream is often sufficient – it needn’t be a specific foot cream. Other therapies include soaking the feet in an oily water foot bath (for example Baby Oil). For an intensive overnight treatment, thickly apply petroleum jelly, wrap cling film over the feet (so the vaseline can only soak in) and go to bed with a pair of cotton socks. Heel balms specifically for dry cracked heels may be purchased over the counter and can be helpful.
Definition: ‘the absence of, or reduced , sweating characteristics of diabetic autonomic neuropathy leading to dry and inelastic skin texture and proneness to fissuring along the lines of skin stress. Also characteristic of old age, certain drug therapies, circulatory compromise, systemic disease such as underactive thyroid’
(Mooney, 2009: 16).
Clinical Features: With anhidrosis the top of the foot is often dry and the dryness can continue up the legs and also affect hands.
Cause: Normal washing of the feet can affect the function of the skins natural barrier. Dry skin can occur due to pathological conditions which influence the process of keratinisation.
Management: An experienced Podiatrist will:
· Treat with topical emollients ideally containing 10- 25% urea, such as Flexitol foot cream.
· Remove hard skin with foot file.
References: Mooney, J (2009) Illustrated dictionary of Podiatry and Foot Science, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, London. Bristow, I. (2013) ‘Emollients in the Care of the Diabetic Foot’. The Diabetic Foot Journal. Vol. 16.p.63-66. http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/359504/1/emollients_in_the_care_of_the_diabetic_foot.pdf