Rough, dry heels are a common problem that affects both women and men. And although the former are more concerned with the aesthetic side of the issue, and the latter with the physical discomfort experienced, they are united by a common desire to eliminate unpleasant manifestations. There are many reasons for very dry skin on the feet: from some illness to dry feet due to insufficient care. One thing is clear: rough heels on your feet need close attention. Let's talk today about the factors that provoke this problem, as well as possible ways to get rid of it.
Heels crack for a reason, what is the body signaling?
The problem of cracking and roughening of the skin on the heels is familiar to many people. For some, it is distinguished by its seasonal appearance, for others it haunts all year round. This feature depends only on the cause of the appearance of such cracks, which arise either from external or internal problems.
Health problems that contribute to hardening and cracking of heels should be studied in detail:
- The appearance of cracks in the heels can be caused by disturbances in the functioning of the body, for example, the presence of some kind of disorder or disease in them.
- It is not uncommon for heels to crack because there are parasites
- Another reason for cracking heels at any time and constantly is the lack of certain vitamins and important microelements in the body for normal life.
- In some cases, the cause may be foot fungus.
- The cause may also be a disruption of the endocrine system.
- , foot injuries can cause cracks.
If you notice regular cracking of your heels, this may also indicate that you do not comply with the standards of cleanliness and foot care. If you are clean and take care of the cleanliness of your feet, then most likely there are health problems in your body.
cracked heel, why do heels crack?
Preventive measures
It is always easier to prevent a problem from occurring than to fight it. This also applies to dry feet. To ensure that your heels are always soft and smooth, you must follow these rules:
- Buy and wear only high-quality shoes of the appropriate size. It is advisable to choose socks only from natural materials;
- Take care of your feet regularly. Wash them daily, treat them with pumice and scrub once a week, sometimes make masks and baths, apply a nourishing and moisturizing cream in the evening;
- Include vitamins and foods rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and beneficial microelements in your diet.
If you are still worried about such a nuisance as dry heels, you must not forget what to do at home in this case. The comprehensive use of heel skin care products will help heal them and soon forget about this inconvenience.
Why the heels of women and men become rough, dry and crack: reasons
Very often, heels become rough, dry and crack during the summer season. The reason for this is dry skin. The leather is often exposed to open shoes, exposed to sunlight, and becomes dirty. As a result, the microphoto films dry out and increase in size, become clogged with dust, dust gets into the wound from the crack and the situation gets worse.
In some cases, the reasons for the constant appearance of cracked heels in men and women is a person’s congenital predisposition to dry skin . In this case, even regular foot care and moisturizing will not help avoid problems. Only constant wearing of socks and closed shoes will help reduce the development of the problem.
Why do heels dry and crack in men and women?
Some other reasons may also affect the formation of cracks:
- hard water
- bright sun
- hypothermia
- work in hazardous industries
- reaction to soap, powder
- wrong diet
- starvation
Some diseases that cracked heels signal to you:
- Obesity. This is perhaps the most common reason for the appearance of too dry skin on the heels and its subsequent cracking. No one is surprised that it is very easy to gain weight, but it is difficult to lose the accumulated weight. Excess weight also causes the skin on the heels to become rough, dry, crack, and these cracks cause pain, both when walking and in a quiet position. The fact is that obesity is always an excessive level of cholesterol in the blood. As a result, blood circulation and metabolism are impaired. The circulatory system becomes clogged with plaques caused by cholesterol and disrupts the connection between the lower extremities and the central nervous system. As a result, the skin of the feet becomes thinner and prone to cracks. You can get rid of such cracks only by losing weight and normalizing and balancing your diet.
- Fungus is also the cause of dryness and cracks. Only a true professional, a doctor, can recognize it. This fungal disease begins very gradually with dry skin, then peeling and only then cracking of the skin. Other characteristic features are also considered to be: itching, changes in the nail plate, peeling throughout the nail. In this case, the treatment is very drastic, it involves the presence of special medications and changing all shoes (the fungus also lives in them)
- Diabetes. In this case we are talking about only the second type of disease. It is at this stage that nerve damage occurs - neuropathy. The more neuropathy develops and progresses, the worse the condition of the heels will be. There is also a specific concept of “diabetic foot”. But there are also positive aspects; you can get rid of some unpleasant symptoms when you can normalize your blood sugar levels
- Psoriasis. It can also be called “scaly lichen”. This disease is far from infectious; it is chronic. It appears when a person’s immune system is impaired and does not work well. You can partially get rid of the disease through hygiene procedures, normalization of nutrition and the use of a number of medical ointments, as well as medications.
Why do cracked heels appear?
Scholl electric file
It is much easier and faster to remove the stratum corneum of the epidermis using a special tool, as if created for our convenience and to save time. The Scholl Velvet Smooth roller file will cope with the task flawlessly. This electric device must be used without first steaming the feet, since it is intended for dry foot treatment .
The Scholl file does its job neatly and painlessly, moving smoothly over the surface of the heel and foot. Using this device, the skin on the fingers is also treated. After the procedure, all you have to do is lubricate your feet with cream and enjoy the wonderful effect. This method will be effective if you are used to regularly taking care of your appearance, but in particularly advanced cases, a roller file is unlikely to help you. In such situations, you cannot do without the help of a professional and a hardware pedicure in a beauty salon.
In conclusion of our article, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with an electric file for removing dead skin, which can replace many pedicure tools. With the help of the short instructions presented in the educational video, you can do a high-quality hygienic pedicure at home. If you like the Scholl miracle file and want to have it in your home beauty arsenal, then you will find the best offer in the PilkaScholls.com store - they have prepared a super promotion and cool gifts for you. Remember, your feet deserve the most reverent and careful care!
A child's heels are cracking: reasons
If your child does not have health problems, then the reason that may affect the appearance of cracks and dryness is wearing uncomfortable shoes that do not meet the standards. Also, pay attention to what shoes your child wears in the summer. Often, behind the beautiful sandals, parents do not notice the harm of modern shoes.
Like adults, children may have a congenital predisposition to dry skin. In such cases, the child will suffer from cracked heels, especially in the summer. You can avoid these problems by wearing socks and frequently moisturizing your skin with creams. In addition, every day you should observe the rules of personal hygiene, wash and clean your child’s feet.
Also, a child may have dry heels that are prone to cracking if he has:
- overweight and obesity
- psoriasis
- diabetes
Why do children's heels dry out and crack?
A child is a growing organism. It is not uncommon for a child to develop dry heels that are prone to cracking when he eats an unbalanced diet. Such food can significantly affect all processes of his small body and disrupt the functioning of some organs.
Check your child for:
- skin diseases
- fungal diseases
- infectious diseases
- diabetes mellitus
- gastritis
- vitamin deficiency
Only a general practitioner or dermatologist can prescribe truly effective treatment that will help the child.
Other recommendations
When your rough skin becomes soft and smooth (after performing the above procedures), you can follow these recommendations:
- Try to wear comfortable shoes that allow your skin to breathe.
- When you buy shoes (especially in the hot season), it is better to do it in the evening, when your feet are already swollen.
- High-heeled shoes should not be worn frequently.
- Deodorized and clean shoes will prevent the growth of fungus, the development of infections and the appearance of an unpleasant odor. published by econet.ru.
PS And remember, just by changing your consumption, we are changing the world together! © econet
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What should I put on my heels to prevent them from cracking?
Modern medicine has many effective remedies that will become real “helpers” in getting rid of cracks, wounds and dryness on the heels. Initially, you should find out how well your body is working and only then engage in external treatment.
What can you apply to your heels for treatment:
- “Healing” cream, which is present in almost every pharmacy. Its composition may vary depending on who its manufacturer is. However, most often its components are: walnut oil, fir oil and tea tree oil. Some creams contain plantain extract, which has an excellent healing effect.
- "Allga San" is an ointment based on pine extract. The uniqueness of this product is characterized by the fact that it contains allantoin, a substance that affects the renewal of dermal cells. Pine extract can have a positive effect on blood circulation, and the presence of chamomile guarantees a “calming effect”
- "Krok honey" is a crack healing cream. It contains sea buckthorn oil, which allows you to fight all the imperfections of the skin of the feet: calluses, cracks, wounds, corns.
Ointments containing an antibiotic are effective in treating cracks. These products include erythromycin ointment, levomikol ointment, and syntomycin ointment.
what to put on your heels?
Cracked heels: what to do with folk remedies
In some cases, traditional medicine is much more effective than medicine. It all depends on how big your problem is and what individual characteristics your body has.
Traditional medicine recipes:
- Cook an ointment based on butter . Melt half a stick of butter and melt twenty-five grams of marshmallow and cinquefoil root in it. Leave this oil to cool and after cooling, apply to the skin every time before going to bed, putting on socks.
- Make a mask for your heels. To do this, mix vegetable oil (but it is preferable to use olive oil), mix in the yolk of one egg and mix with a small spoon of ordinary table vinegar. This mask should be applied to the sore heel, wrapped in cling film and put on a warm sock. Keep the mask on for as long as you can, but at least 30 minutes. It is best to leave this mask overnight.
how to care for cracked heels?
First aid
If your heels are cracking (the causes and treatment must be determined in a timely manner), this means first aid should be provided.
One of the popular folk methods is to seal them with cyanoacrylate-based superglue. It can be purchased at a hardware store. This type of treatment may seem strange, but it is approved by dermatologists. In the next few days after using superglue, you should carefully remove the stratum corneum of the skin with a pumice stone. They do this gradually; there is no need to try to remove everything at once.
To make rough tissue peel off more effectively, lubricate the surface with a product based on keratolytics, which include lactic, salicylic and glycolic acid. In the evening and throughout the day, it is recommended to apply products with a moisturizing effect to the heels. To enhance the effect of the cream, wear socks made of natural fabric.
The positive effect after regular procedures will be noticeable after 2 or 3 weeks.
Treatment with calendula ointment and vitamin A for heels
Treatment of rough heels with cracks with vitamin A and calendula ointment is considered especially effective. Calendula is a unique plant that has a powerful healing effect. The ointment allows cracks to heal painlessly, making the skin softer and less prone to dryness.
You can enhance the effectiveness of the ointment by adding liquid vitamin A to it. All ingredients can be easily purchased at the pharmacy. Component ratio: 10 ml of vitamin per 20 ml of ointment. The components are carefully mixed in a glass container with a wooden stick.
For a week or ten days (depending on how global your problem is), after cleaning and washing your feet, apply this ointment to the skin in a thick, greasy layer and rub it in until absorbed. Put on your socks and go to bed. This treatment is often called “vitamin blockade.”
treatment of heels with calendula and vitamin A
Prevention methods
If rough heels are not related to illness, then you can solve it yourself using comprehensive care. High-quality preventive measures will also help prevent the skin of your feet from drying out and becoming rough.
It is necessary to use every day a cream that intensively moisturizes the skin and other foot cosmetics that are sold at the pharmacy. The skin of the feet and heels requires regular cleansing, the use of various masks and baths. If the body needs missing minerals and vitamins to solve the problem of roughness, you need to include the appropriate foods in your diet.
Heels endure enormous loads every day, which is why they are especially vulnerable. If dry and rough heels are not treated in time, cracks may form on them, which cause not only discomfort, but also pain.
Remedy for cracked heels “Healing against cracked feet”
This product is produced by the fairly well-known brand “Green Pharmacy”. It can be easily purchased at a pharmacy for a reasonable price. Like most healing creams, it contains beneficial oils and plantain extract. It is the rich composition of natural ingredients that allows you to quickly heal wounds and soften the skin.
The cream has good anti-inflammatory properties and also has a bactericidal effect. After regular use during the first week, the skin becomes smooth, soft and velvety to the touch.
healing foot cream
How to care for your heels if they are cracked?
In addition to the fact that sore heels require regular application of medicinal products that will tighten cracks and heal wounds, a number of hygiene procedures should be regularly carried out. Only clean skin, free from dust and dirt, can avoid inflammatory processes and aggravate the situation.
How to take care of your heels:
- Soak your feet in hot water with sea salt, peroxide or baking soda
- Clean the soft skin of the heels with a pumice stone, metal or abrasive brush to remove unnecessary layer
- Apply moisturizer daily after each foot cleansing, and apply a layer of cream at night
- Wear socks if you feel your skin getting dry
- Avoid flip-flops and sandals, which can injure your cracked heel when walking.
Treatment methods at home
If you have already established nutrition and taken care of the health of the body, you know why and how dry skin appears on the heels, it’s time to treat the rough epidermis. This must be done using a variety of external means. A complex of baths, creams, ointments, and compresses is used. Home care should be carried out regularly, in courses, until healing occurs and the skin is restored.
Ointments and creams
The pharmacy offers a wide selection of products to combat corns, hyperhidrosis, and roughness of the epidermis. The following drugs are in greatest demand among consumers:
- 5 days. Promotes the healing of cracked heels, helps remove foul odor and excessive sweating of the feet. The drug is applied to cleansed, dried skin of the feet. The course of treatment is 7-10 days. There are contraindications: not recommended if you are highly sensitive to at least one of the components. People taking hormone therapy should consult their doctor.
- Bepanten. The product comes to the rescue when you need to quickly heal wounds, accelerate regeneration and moisturize the skin. It has a wide scope of application, helps soften neglected areas and prevents them from becoming rough again. You can find ointment and cream on sale. Both options are effective, but the first treats, and the second is used for prevention.
- Sea wolf. A natural remedy against roughness and dryness. The composition includes minerals from the bottom of the sea, plants with a medicinal effect in the form of extracts, algae, formic alcohol. The cream restores the limb, protects against the influence of negative factors, moisturizes, and fights inflammation.
Scrubs and peeling of rough areas
Using a razor to remove rough areas promotes the growth of new, denser skin. This threatens inflammation. Pumice stone helps remove roughness, but if you rub it roughly and for a long time, it can cause injury. Scrubs and peelings on a natural basis will help to avoid dangerous consequences.
- Combine apple cider vinegar, almond oil, and honey in a container. Each ingredient is added 2 tsp. Add a handful of ground rice. Mix until it becomes a paste. Carefully remove dead cells after steaming. Rinse off, lubricate with nourishing cream.
- Pour olive oil and 2 tsp honey into a cup. Soda is added to them in the same amount. Mix the mixture and rub in with massage movements. Leave for a few minutes, remove with warm water.
- Grind 1 aspirin into powder and combine with a glass of vodka and 5 drops of iodine. Rub into the foot and leave for deep absorption for 20 minutes. Recommended for daily use.
- Oat flakes 20 gr. grind, combine with aloe juice and 2 tbsp brown sugar. Add 1 tsp olive oil and honey into the mixture. Rub thoroughly for a few minutes, let dry, rinse.
Baths and compresses
Baths are effective procedures in the overall care complex. It is better to apply masks and creams after steaming.
- Pour boiling water over the chamomile herb and leave for 30 minutes. Pour into a bowl, lower your legs. The foot should be in hot water for 20 minutes. After the time is up, dry the skin and apply a moisturizer.
- Pour 30 ml of malic acetic acid into water and place your feet in it. The bath is taken for 20 minutes, after which each foot is rinsed and moisturized. The recipe helps in the fight against fungus.
- Sea salt 20 gr. dissolves in heated water, feet are lowered into it. Steam for 15 minutes. Then rinse and treat with cream.
- Combine hydrogen peroxide and warm water in a ratio of 1:5. Dip a gauze cloth in the solution and apply to the heels. Remove after 2 hours. Hydrogen has a beneficial effect on the problem area, preventing it from drying out and cracking.
- Boil oatmeal in a saucepan, add flax oil to it. Place the finished mass in cellophane bags and place the feet in them. Put socks on top. The mask must remain in effect for at least 2 hours. Remove with warm water and apply with thick cream.