Feet covered with dry skin? Doctor reveals why moisturizer is useless – and the two surprising products that will banish it forever

A dermatologist has revealed two surprising products that will banish dry skin on the feet – and why even the thickest moisturizer might not help you.

Dr. Abigail Waldman told her 264,000 followers Instagram that the thick cosmetic creams are actually useless for treating dry and flaky skin.

That’s because flaky feet are probably not due to dry skin at all, but to a common fungal infection.

The assistant professor of dermatology at Harvard University advised those suffering from the unsightly problem to bathe their feet in athlete’s foot cream and anti-dandruff shampoo.

She explained that the athlete’s foot tinea pedis – also known as athlete’s foot – is common and often mistaken for dry skin.

The fungus, also known as athlete’s foot, is best known for causing itchy, white patches on the cracked skin between the toes.

But it can also cause dry, flaky skin on other parts of the foot, including the heels.

Dr. Waldman said: ‘Tinea pedis (athlete’s foot) is common and often confused with dry skin.

‘Moisturizer won’t help and instead treat them with an athlete’s foot cream such as clotrimazole or Lamisil, or wash them with anti-dandruff shampoo such as Selsun Blue.’

These over-the-counter creams can help destroy the fungus, and anti-dandruff shampoo contains chemicals such as zinc pyrithione and selenium sulfide that prevent skin flaking.

Athlete’s foot can be contracted by walking barefoot in places where someone else has athlete’s foot, such as changing rooms and showers, the NHS explains.

Having wet or sweaty feet or cuts on the skin can make a person more susceptible to the disease.

Research shows that the fungal infection affects approximately 15 percent of people worldwide every year.

Mold thrives in warm, moist and humid areas. This means that feet provide the perfect environment as they have approximately 250,000 sweat glands, which provide an ideal breeding ground.

Fungal infections are highly contagious and can spread anywhere on your skin, including your scalp, hands, and even your groin.

This is especially likely if you use the same towel for your feet as you do for the rest of your body.

Athlete’s foot is unlikely to get better on its own and antifungal medications, including creams, sprays and powders, can be purchased from a pharmacy.

Dry and cracked heels can also be caused by a lack of moisture on the skin.

The NHS recommends filing away hard skin with a pumice stone, using a moisturizer on the skin after washing and continuing to apply cream to prevent recurrence.