Keep your feet moisturized by applying a lotion daily. Pay close attention to your heels and apply the moisturizer in the morning and evening. You can wear socks over your feet after putting on a moisturizer while you sleep to keep the lotion on your feet. Try to choose a moisturizer that is thick and contains an ingredient such as urea or salicylic acid.
how to get rid of hard cracked heels
Wear shoes that can absorb shock and protect your feet. Shoes such as sandals or ones with an open back can dry out your heels. You should avoid walking barefoot since that can damage and cause dryness to your feet and heels. Wear slippers indoors to protect and cushion your feet.
An orthotic insert such as a heel cup can be placed inside your shoe to protect your heels and reduce the stress on your feet that can lead to developing heel fissures. Depending on your need, an insert can be purchased over the counter or be custom-made by your podiatrist.
Look for lotions that contain ingredients such as jojoba oil, shea butter, and urea. These ingredients are deeply moisturizing and can penetrate through hardened skin. You will also want to look for products that are free of fragrance and chemicals that can irritate the skin.
When applying a lotion to your feet, target areas such as the tops, sides, and bottoms of your feet paying close attention to your heels. Avoid applying moisturizer between your toes since it can promote fungal growth.
If you have cracked skin or sores on your feet that are not healing, consult with your podiatrist for assistance. It is important for diabetics to get any sores that do not heal evaluated immediately.
Use a pumice stone on thickened skin of your feet to gently file away dead skin and allow for the moisturizer to penetrate more effectively. In addition to the pumice stone, you can also exfoliate your feet using a foot scrub. This can help with removing dead skin and can keep the feet and heels soft.
Get visibly healthier feet in just one day with Kerasal Intensive Foot Repair. This highly concentrated skin healing ointment does more than a basic moisturizing cream, formulated to help heal cracked heels and dry feet and renew healthy skin.
Not only do cracked heels make your feet look dull, they also increase discomfort. If you too are looking at ways to get rid of cracked heels, this article will help with information and treatment options.
Dry feet and cracked heels may be caused by various reasons. Extremely common among adults, this foot condition is also known as heel fissures. It causes pain and discomfort and usually occurs during winters.
The first treatment for cracked heels is a topical foot balm or cream. These are easily available in the market. Usually foot balms or creams contain moisturizing ingredients to soften the thickened skin of your heels. These ingredients include :
The skin on your heels is usually thicker than the rest of your body. This makes it more prone to dryness. Dry heels crack when you put the whole body weight on your feet while walking. Soaking your foot in lukewarm water and exfoliating from time to time will give you relief from cracked heels.
Another great option to treat cracked heels is a liquid bandage. Available in most medical stores, this needs to be applied around the cracked heel. You need to keep the liquid bandage for a while so that it gets enough time to seal the cracks on your heels.
A case study [3] conducted in 1999 suggests super glue to be successful in treating cracked heels. In the study, ten people were given 2-3 drops of super glue for each crack. They were asked to hold the crack together for at least 60 seconds. After 5 to 7 days they reported that their cracked heels had healed and the pain had gone too.
Coconut oil is a natural skin moisturizer [4] that locks the moisture inside your skin and softens the thickened skin of your heels. Skin experts suggest using coconut oil for dry skin, eczema, and psoriasis-like skin conditions.
When you soak your feet in warm water, finish the procedure by applying coconut oil. Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties will help you treat the infection and bleeding of cracked heels.
Honey is known for its natural antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Part of many home remedies for skin, this can treat cracked heels as well. A 2012 study [5] on medicinal and cosmetic usage of honey confirms its healing power.
Following a simple routine everyday can go a long way in preventing dry feet and cracked heels. Create a basic daily routine for yourself that includes cleaning and moisturizing your feet. Also, check your feet regularly for any problems.
Severe cases of cracked heels may need attention from a podiatrist. If your cracked heels have an infection and are bleeding, or not recovering even after trying the remedies for one week, you need to consult a podiatrist.
Cracked heels are not really a matter of worry. Regular foot care habits like soaking, exfoliating and moisturizing are enough to provide you soft and smooth feet. Over the counter foot creams and scrubs are useful too. Getting a proper pedicure at a salon can also help once in a while.
Dehydrated skin is one of the biggest causes of cracked skin. Once moisture is lost, the heel starts to produce thick areas of rough skin as a form of protection. As a result, the skin is prevented from healing sufficiently. At the beginning, cracked skin may only feel like a visual issue, but over time it can cause pain when you walk if left untreated. In more advanced stages cracked heels can feel itchy, painful and also begin to bleed from pressure.2
Lack of moisture This is the most common cause of cracked heels. The skin around your heels has a relatively small number of sweat glands and a lack of elasticity, so it can often become dry, rough and chapped.
ObesityBeing overweight can increase the pressure on the fat pad under the heel. This can cause it to expand sideways and, if the skin lacks flexibility, put pressure on the feet. This leads to cracked heels.
Open footwear Open-back sandals or shoes can allow fat under the heel to expand sideways and increase the possibility of cracks on your heels. Taking care of your feet regularly is important when wearing footwear that exposes your heels, especially in summer.
WaterWater on your feet can take away natural oils from the skin and can leave the skin rough, dry or both. Standing for prolonged periods in damp areas, such as a bathroom, can cause dry and cracked heels.
In the initial stage of the condition, the heel starts to feel tight when placed under any kind of strain. Intense dryness, itching and tenderness of the skin are often the first signs of the problem. The affected area can turn yellow or brown in colour and tends to harden significantly.1
In its more advanced stage, the heel may become so dry that it turns white, yellowish or red in colour and begins to flake. Cracks can deepen to the extent that the simple act of walking becomes incredibly difficult. If left untreated, cracked heels may start to bleed and become infected with bacteria.1
I come across the most stunning women. Perfectly done make-up, not a hair out of place, bags and clothes matched together but many a time if you look at their feet they seem neglected. I have always tried to make people understand that skin and hair care is not enough, you need to nurture and nourish every part of your body. Our feet carry the burden of of our daily lives from the moment we wake up until we sleep and keeping the same in mind I give out easy and fuss free home remedies for cracked heels. Just as we need to keep our face and hair well nourished, we also need to keep our feet nourished and moisturized. A pedicure twice a month is a must especially if you mostly wear open sandals and chappals. Dead skin build up and dryness leads to cracked heels and it is essential to work on them when the skin starts feeling slightly hardened.
1. For Soft HeelsWho does not wish to have smooth and soft heels. Interestingly, you only need a handful of ingredients from your kitchen to have perfectly smooth heels. You can make this wonderful concoction to soak your feet in it and see the results for yourself. For effective results repeat the process daily. You would need.
4. Quick Remedy: Lime + SugarA daily 5-minute routine that you can do is to take lemon halves and 3 tsp of sugar. Dip the lemon halves into the sugar and scrub on the heels daily until all the granules have melted into the skin. Let it dry and wash off with water and pat dry.5. Home pedicureMost people do not realize that a home pedicure will also work miracles for cracked heels. Gear yourself with the following-Two large towelsNail brushPumice stoneLoofahNail fileBufferSpongeEssential oil of ylang ylang- 5dropsWarm soapy water500ml full fat warm milk20ml olive oilNourishing cream(Also Read: 4 Kitchen Ingredients You Can Use to Protect Your Feet During Monsoons)
File the nails and soak your feet into a tub of warm water and milk and add essential oil along with olive oil. Brush nails and clean them well. Using a pumice stone scrub heels until soft and smooth. With a sponge apply nourishing tub water to the legs upto the knees and on the top and soles of the feet.Pat dry and massage with a nourishing cream and wipe dry. Buff the nails until smooth and shiny and your feet will be ready to dance! Spending five minutes daily to take care of your feet can go a long way. Disclaimer:The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. NDTV is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same. 2ff7e9595c
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