Among the most widely recognized imperfections that portray those with dried-out skin are broken impact points, yet what are the variables that incline toward this issue, and how might we work on the presence of our feet? Here are the best solutions for unpleasant and harmed heels.
What Are Cracked Heels, And How Do They Appear?
Broken heels address a generally far reaching flaw, basically present in those with dry skin. They show up with dried out, dry skin, with a grayish or yellowish variety, and, in the most extreme cases, with breaks. These, which can be profound depending upon the seriousness, are portrayed by being exact minor scales situated on the rear of the heel, which can lead to draining and uneasiness. The skin, in this way, shows up firm and cut; in any case, at first, it doesn’t incline toward specific issues, if not of a stylish nature.Â
Dry and broken heels, nonetheless, ought to totally be addressed as though cures are not carried out to relax the skin; almost certainly, the cuts could decline, causing irritating (and at times extreme) well-being results. Those whose impact points are divided by at least one break feel uneasiness when they put their foot on the ground because of the way that the open folds on the skin cause torment and will generally drain. This makes strolling troublesome and can likewise open you to the gamble of contracting contaminations. Open breaks, as a matter of fact, comprise a restricted admittance course for growths, infections, and microscopic organisms.
Leading Causes Of Cracked Heels
A perplexing blend causes dry heels, but the primary variable is, without a doubt, consisting of having very dried body skin. Excessive dryness of the skin is called skin xerosis, and this condition, joined with the way that the heel is a region that is exceptionally worried over the day and liable to scouring and effects, can cause, in specific subjects, a state of severe dryness and ensuing appearance of cuts and breaks.
A broken heel experiences what is going on of dry skin brought about by an absence of hydration, and it is no accident that the shortfall of (steady and customary) utilization of creams with an emollient and sustaining activity is viewed as the most vital move towards the presence of breaks. Different causes that can bring about broken and agonizing heels include:
- the habit of walking barefoot ;
- The use of footwear with particularly rigid soles (such as clogs) or which cause continuous rubbing and greater exposure to irritating substances, such as dust. Typically, those who wear rubber slippers for a long time will tend to suffer more from dry skin;
- Contact with sand and earth ;
- exposure to irritants ;
- The use of excessively aggressive detergents, which deplete the natural hydrolipidic barrier of the skin and favor cracking of the heel;
- being overweight ;
- the regular use of high-heeled shoes ;
- the habit of wearing shoes without socks ;
- the presence of calluses and calluses located on the heel;
- The practice of some sports. Activities such as running, climbing, and ballet put a lot of stress on the feet. Intense and continuous stress and contact with shoes with particularly rigid soles, in fact, exacerbate skin thickening and cause the heels to crack;
- The pregnancy. Weight gain during gestation and the postural changes that affect women represent a factor that predisposes to the appearance of cracked heels in predisposed subjects;
- the dry and cold climate ;
- the habit of wearing open-backed shoes ;
- You are Standing for many hours, putting weight on your heels.
When A Pathology Causes Dry And Cracked Heels
In some cases, cracking heels are caused by an actual pathology, which predisposes to the appearance of this blemish. Among the most common conditions are:
- Â skin diseases, such as psoriasis (frequent), atopic dermatitis, and eczema;
- foot anomalies, such as flat feet or abnormalities in the alignment of the metatarsal bones;
- Diabetes, due to the circular problems it causes in the lower limbs ;
- other metabolic diseases ;
- Obesity due to the excess weight that weighs on the feet and the intense stress that affects the heels ;
- Nutritional deficiencies: it seems that a lack of iron, calcium, vitamin E, and zinc can favor cracked heels;
- Sjogren’s syndrome ;
- athlete’s foot ;
- Fungal infection.
Remedies For Cracked Heels With Cuts
The primary remedy for cracked and cut heels is the constant and regular application of creams and ointments with a hydrating action. In fact, this area of ​​the body must always be kept nourished, and all those actions that would make the situation worse must be absolutely avoided. Humectant creams are beneficial, as they contain so-called “hygroscopic” molecules that, penetrating the skin, can bind with water, increasing the hydration of the heel.Â
Often, these cosmetic formulations also contain occlusive substances (be they silicones, lanolin, or petrolatum oils), which protect the dermis and give a filling effect on the cracks. Occlusive creams also coat the skin, preventing moisture from evaporating from the outer layer. It is better to avoid the use of tight shoes, not walk barefoot, and prefer sports that do not cause excessive impact on the lower extremities. These small attentions, combined with the continuous use of emollient creams, manage, in most cases, to eliminate or keep the problem under control without the heels being cut.
Nourishing creams should be applied generously, even several times a day, while for shock treatment, it is also possible to prepare compresses to leave on all night. In the presence of cut heels, however, it is necessary to first intervene on the cracks, applying remedies to try to heal the cracks and stop the bleeding from the cuts. Suppose there is also a bacterial or fungal infection. In that case, it is advisable to ask your doctor for advice, who will prescribe a topical antibiotic or antifungal to be applied to the infected heel area.
The Best Creams For Damaged Heels
The remedies for dry heels certainly include moisturizing creams, which are the cure par excellence for this type of problem. They help restore the skin’s natural hydrolipidic film and promote skin hydration. In this sense, the formulations to be preferred are those that contain hyaluronic acid, vegetable butter (such as shea butter), oils of vegetable origin (sweet almond oil, castor oil), or those enriched with natural extracts with antioxidant action.
Another particularly effective substance for combating dehydration of the skin of the heel is urea, which has a soothing, hydrating, and elasticizing effect; it, used in combination with emollient creams, can improve the appearance of dry skin and eliminate the excess of dead cells that characterize dry skin. Very useful, especially if the cracks are not “open,” are foot masks (often based on urea) to be worn for a shock treatment. In addition to the numerous types of masks on the market, it is possible to make a DIY one using shea butter. Apply a generous dose of product on your heels, put on cotton socks, and then go to bed: in the morning, your heels will magically appear super hydrated.Â
How To Cure Cracked Heels: 15 Helpful Tips
Moisturizing creams undoubtedly represent the remedies of excellence for cracked, painful, and dry heels. However it is essential to act 360° on the problem and implement solutions that can actually help make a difference. Here are 15 valuable tips for taking care of your feet :
- Use comfortable shoes with light reinforcement on the heel ;
- Avoid shoes with thin soles, heels, flip-flops, and open-heel models;
- Always wear cotton socks, which protect the foot from excessive rubbing;
- Apply the moisturizing cream several times a day, also including nourishing compresses to leave on all night;
- Perform light scrubs to remove dead cells from the foot or use the pumice stone after a foot bath. Be careful not to use coarse salt scrubs if you have bleeding fissures;
- do not tear the cuticle so as not to encourage bleeding from the cracks;
- Avoid walking barefoot ;
- If cracked and painful heels are caused by being overweight, try to observe a healthy diet aimed at weight loss;
- Always keep your feet dry and clean so as to avoid the risk of fungal infections;
- Use an insole to reduce rubbing on the heels;
- Use lukewarm water (not too hot), avoiding keeping your feet immersed for too long;
- Apply a cream with a keratolytic action on very chapped heels characterized by excess dry skin. This type of cream (usually based on salicylic acid, urea, or alpha hydroxy acids) can remove dead cells from the heels and promote the penetration of hydrating agents ;
- If the situation is dire, making it difficult to walk, it is advisable to contact a dermatologist or podiatrist, particularly if you have diabetes or other circulatory diseases;
- Only use detergents that are very gentle on the skin.
- If your cracked heels become infected or if their presence affects your normal daily activities, you should contact a podiatrist or dermatologist.
In fact, he will be able to implement targeted strategies, for example, using more powerful keratolytic products, manually removing dead skin, suggesting specific medications to seal the cracks, recommending insoles, or, finally, performing bandages on the cracked heel affected by the cuts.