Feeling Better Than Ever Before

Seborrheic dermatitis rarely begins anywhere but the face or chest, but if uncontrolled, it can potentially spread across your entire body. If you have already been diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis and you think that you're starting to experience symptoms on your feet, read on to learn what you can do about it.

Keep Clean

While poor hygiene isn't a cause of seborrheic dermatitis, it can cause flare-ups if you already have the disorder. When skin oil or sweat accumulates, it can cause flare-ups resulting in the itchy, scaly bumps that are associated with this skin disorder.

As a result, one of the best things you can do to avoid flare-ups on your feet is to keep them as clean as possible. You should consider washing your feet at least once a day with a mild, gentle soap. Pay special attention to the spaces between your toes, as dead skin and oil tend to accumulate there. Gentle exfoliation is also a good idea as it can help to loosen up and remove the seborrheic dermatitis scales, but avoid being too vigorous or rough, as you could harm fragile skin.

If your feet are prone to sweating, consider using a talcum powder to help absorb the sweat and oil.

Choose Feet Coverings Wisely

What you wear on your feet can play a big part in how sweaty and oily your feet become. In addition, some materials are more soothing to the skin than others.

Ideally, avoid wearing polyester and other synthetic fabrics on your feet. Instead, choose cotton, as it breathes better and will help to prevent your feet from becoming overheated and sweating.

When possible, try to go without shoes and socks to allow your skin time to breathe and heal. Excessive rubbing from socks and shoes on dermatitis scales can cause them to become irritated or inflamed, which can slow down the healing process.

Visit Podiatrist

Whether or not you're currently seeing a dermatologist for your seborrheic dermatitis elsewhere on your body, you should consider seeing a podiatrist for your feet.

Podiatrists, like those represented at http://www.advancedfootclinic.org, are trained to handle nearly any health concern to do with feet, including seborrheic dermatitis, and can offer medical advice on the subject. In addition, if your condition is serious, a podiatrist can prescribe or recommend a topical cream like hydrocortisone to help reduce the amount of flare-ups you experience. Your podiatrist will work with you to control your condition to prevent serious damage or secondary infections from forming on your feet.

Seborrheic dermatitis is an unsightly and irritating condition that's bad enough on your face and chest, but it isn't limited to these places. If you think that your dermatitis is spreading to your legs, feet, or ankles, talk to a podiatrist for professional advice and treatment.