CRACKED HEELS:

Introduction:

The most common causes of dry, cracked heels includes the following: medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes, eczema, hypothyroidism, Sjogren’s syndrome, juvenile plantar dermatosis, infections such as athlete’s foot, biomechanical factors such as flat feet, heel spurs, or standing for long periods of time.

Is Cracked Heels a vitamin deficiency?

Cracked heels are a common condition that usually aren’t a cause for concern. Vitamin C, vitamin B-3, and vitamin E deficiencies may contribute to dry, cracked heels. However, these vitamin deficiencies are rare in developed countries. Other conditions like athlete’s foot or eczema may also lead to cracked heels.

Why Are cracked heels so painful?

What Are Heel Fissures? Heel fissures are cracks or divides in the skin over your heels. Sometimes these are an uncomfortable nuisance because they cause thick layers of dead skin cells to build up. Other times they can be potential triggers for painful, dangerous infections and skin damage.

How can I soften my heels?

Soak the feet in warm water to soften the dead skin. Wet the pumice stone or foot file with warm water. Gently rub the pumice stone or foot file over

the dead skin or callus. Use circular motions with a pumice stone and gentle back-and-forth motions with a foot file.

Hate those ugly, cracked plates peeping out of your new, beautiful shoes? Eh, me too! All of us try to mask them but it seems so very impossible to either hide them or get rid of them. So here I am with some very useful tips for cracked heels.

1. First, up your Water Intake:

When you’re experiencing cracked heels, don’t just immediately tend to your feet grab a water bottle, fill it up, and start guzzling. Make sure you’re drinking enough water.

2. Glycerine:

It’s ab excellent remedy for cracked heels. One always prefers it for better and sooner results. There’s nothing difficult to do with it. Just simply apply it to your heels before going to bed and massage for 2-3 minutes approximately.

3. Moisturizing Lotion:

It’s another great option. You can use any good company’s lotion. Creams with Aloe Vera are preferable as it helps in the heeling of heels. Apply 2-3 times per day and massage for a while.

4. Pedicure:

Pedicure is a wonderful way for the heeling of the cracked heels. It helps to make your feet relax and washes away your dead cells allowing the living ones to breathe freely. Doing pedicure isn’t difficult at all. If not accessible, you can even do it at your place. All your need to do is to get a bucket with warm water and a little oil in it. Submerge your feet in it and apply soap. Slowly rinse your feet with cold water afterwards. Dry and then apply lotion or glycerine.

5. Avoid Walking Barefoot:

That’s what our mum’s keep on saving us all the time, so no need for much explanation. Wear shoes with soft soles so that your feet don’t get tired and your weight equally distributes in your feet. In this way your heels will not get too much pressure and as in result, your heels won’t crack.

6. Go on a Healthy Diet:

This part is for the ones who are obese or are entering the world of obesity. Our feet aren’t made for carrying such huge masses so guys go on a diet please or else you’ll end up as a monster with ugly heels. So now stop thinking guys and pick up one of the tips and try them now. They’ll for sure work, guaranteed!

7. Liquid Bandage:

You can also apply liquid bandage to cracks to seal the wound and prevent infections or further cracking. This product comes as a spray, which means you can go about your day without worrying about the bandage coming off. Liquid bandage is a good option for treating deep heel cracks that may bleed. Apply liquid bandage to clean, dry skin. As the crack heals, the coating is forced to the skin’s surface. You can buy this product without a prescription at a drug store or online.

8. Use Honey:

Honey may work as a natural remedy for cracked heels. As we all know this, honey has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Research shows that honey can help heal and cleanse wounds, and moisturize the skin. You can use honey as a foot scrub after a soak, or apply it as a foot mask overnight.

9. Coconut Oil:

‘Coconut oil is excellent for cracked heels. It contains a high concentration of vitamin E and natural proteins that help repair damaged skin cells. ‘It also contains natural lauric acid, which has both antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. Coconut oil is often recommended for dry skin, eczema, and psoriasis. It can help your skin retain moisture. Using coconut oil after a foot soak could be a good option, too. Coconut oil’s anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties may your cracked heels if they’re prone to bleeding or infections.

10. Wearing 100% cotton socks to bed:

Wearing 100% cotton socks to bed after applying petroleum jelly to the heel may help to:

• Keep the moisture in.
• Allow the heel skin to breathe.
• Prevent the bed sheets from becoming stained.

The skin on the heels should soften after this routine is repeated for a few days. 100% cotton socks are available online.

11. Medical Treatments:

In severe cases of cracked heels, or if medical care is required, a doctor may:

• Remove dead skin.
• Prescribe stronger softening or removal agents.
• Apply medical glue to seal cracks.
• Prescribe an antibiotic if there is an infection.
• Strap the heel with dressings or bandages.
• Recommend shoe inserts, heel pads, or heel cups.
• Help the patient change how they walk.

12. Applying a Keratolytic to Thickened Skin:

When the heel skin is thick, applying a keratolytic may help thin it, as well as the other treatments.

Keratolytics are agents that thin thickened skin, cause the outer skin layer to loosen, and help with removal of dead skin cells. This process allows the skin to keep in more moisture.

Examples of keratolytics include:

• Alpha hydroxy acids, such as lactic acid and glycolic acid.
• Salicylic acid.
• Urea.

Products that contain both keratolytics and humectants may be the most useful. For example, urea is both a keratolytic and humectant that moisturizes and removes dry, cracked, and thickened skin.

13. Wear Closed-Back Shoes:

Since shoes and sandals with open backs can cause cracked heels and make them worse, make sure you have a trusty pair of closed options to wear when you’re having issues, even if that’s just some sneakers. Protect the area by wearing closed-back shoes and socks.

How can I Heal my Cracked Heels Overnight?

Treat them overnight with coconut oil for some relief. Moisturizing cracked heels overnight is a pretty standard way of treating them, but not all moisturizing agents work equally. Oils tend to work better than lotions because lotions absorb into the skin more quickly.

How can I Soften my Feet Fast?

Pumice stone,

• Dip the pumice stone in warm water. You can also soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes to soften them.
• Gently move the stone in a circular or sideways motion around your foot to remove dead skin.
• Apply lotion or oil afterward to help soften your feet.