Dry Skin Treatments

Causes, Treatment and Prevention of Cracked Heels

Posted by Shawn on April 29th, 2010 — Posted in Dry Skin

  Tags: cracked heels, dry cracked feet, Dry Skin, dry skin on feet, how to heal dry feet

Often discovering the cause of a problem can help provide clues as to how to treat it successfully.  This is very much the case with cracked heels, or dry, cracked feet; a very common problem that many people have but one which is, in most cases, fairly easily remedied.

Causes of Cracked Heels

Unfortunately some people are just naturally more inclined to suffer with this, for no apparent reason. It is also exacerbated on people with dry skin or calloused heels. The reason the skin cracks around the heels, rather than on other parts of the foot, is mainly because of the way a person walks and the pressure that is placed on the balls of their feet and their heels.

While sweating is often considered more of a nuisance than anything, when it comes to your feet it is actually a benefit if they do sweat as they will be less likely to crack. Therefore, people with medical conditions that lead to less sweating, such as diabetes or an underactive thyroid, have more of a tendency to suffer from cracked heels.  Naturally, anyone with existing skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis  needs to be very careful and take good care of their feet and skin as they also have a proclivity towards cracked and peeling heels.

There are also other conditions that can add to the likelihood of people getting cracked heels. For example, if someone has a job where they are standing on their feet for twelve hours a day, the constant pressure of all that weight pushing down on the balls of their feet can cause their heels to crack, especially if they already have a problem with dry or calloused skin on their heels. This can become quite problematic if someone is also overweight, as the more weight that bears down on the foot, the higher the likelihood of problems such as these occurring.

You need to be careful with what you wear on your feet as some types of shoes, such as open backed sandals, will also aggravate problems with dry cracked feet. You should not walk around the house with bare feet.

Age also plays a part in this condition. With age, skin gradually loses it elasticity and the foot and heel is no exception. As the skin on the heel and foot dries and become thinner, there is a much higher chance of it becoming cracked.

Treating Cracked Heels

Cracked heels do not only look unsightly, but they can cause serious health problems if they are left too long without treatment. Any opening on the body surface offers an invitation for germs and bacteria to enter into the body.  Untreated cracked heels can worsen to the point that they begin bleeding and become infected. Once at this stage they are usually also very painful. It is much more difficult to treat an infected foot than a cracked heel, thus is it definitely a good idea to do something about cracks and fissures on your heels or the sides of your feet as soon as you notice them.

The first step in treating dry cracked feet is to determine how they became that way.  It is important to find out why your feet became cracked in the first place and then do what is needed to prevent that from happening again. It may mean that you need to institute better foot care into your daily routine. If you have an accompanying medical condition, that will need to be treated.

Treatment should be aimed at rehydrating and moisturizing the skin, as well as getting rid of any hard or calloused skin.  There are many different foot creams available which can be purchased over the counter.  Rub a moisturizing cream on several times a day. One tip which is said to be especially helpful for some people is to rub cream on the heel at night, just before retiring to bed, and then wear socks.  This helps the moisturizer to soak into the skin and it is a very effective way to rehydrate and soften your heels.

You should also try to get rid of the build-up of calloused skin around your heel.  The best way to do this is to buy a foot scrub and exfoliate your skin when you take a shower. You can buy special foot exfoliating scrubs to use on your feet, along with a pumice stone which does an excellent job of dislodging hardened skin. Be careful though! You do not want to get rid of the good skin, just the hardened, dead skin. Rubbing with a pumice stone for too long, or too often, can also be damaging to your skin.

There are many home remedies for cracked heels, which avoid having to buy expensive creams and exfoliating creams.  Natural oils, such as olive oil, almond oil or coconut oil have been used for centuries to pamper and refresh tired or dry skin and the skin on your feet is no exception. Rosewater mixed with glycerine has also been found helpful to repair and restore dry cracked feet. Bathing your feet in warm water and lemon juice, or warm water and milk, is also said to help naturally exfoliate skin and leaves your feet feeling soft and supple.

If you are having a recurring problem with cracked skin around your feet and heels, you may need to re-evaluate your diet. Vitamins A, D and E are all important skin care vitamins. If you think you need extra, invest in some cod liver oil capsules and Vitamin E capsules.  The cod liver oil capsules will also provide you with additional Omega-3 fatty acids which are also important for your skin.  Alternatively, you could include more sea food and fish, nuts and legumes in your diet to provide you with these essential vitamins.

Insoles may help alter the way you walk, and help prevent the calloused skin from forming.  You may also benefit from wearing a heel cup inside your shoes. This cup keeps the fat pad on the bottom of your heel from expanding out, and is quite helpful at preventing feet problems if worn on a regular basis.

If you ever have a problem with infected fissures on your feet it is imperative that you seek medical attention. Do not leave it unattended.  A doctor will most likely prescribe you a medicated antibacterial cream to apply to your feet as well as pain relievers if necessary. Sometimes they will help remove the thick skin on your heels by a process called debriding, whereby they use a scalpel or other instruments to cut away this tissue. If the condition is very painful for you, they may also strap the fissures together; this not only helps in the healing process but it lessens the pain as well.  Your doctor will be able to counsel with you how to heal dry feet, as well as what you can do to properly care for your feet. They may also recommend that you make an appointment with a podiatrist if this is a recurring problem.

Preventing Cracked Heels

One of the best ways to prevent this from happening is to take care of your feet.  The foot is often the most neglected part of the body when it comes to pampering and care, and yet it is a vital and essential part of the body.  Instigate a daily routine whereby you moisturize and exfoliate your feet. Give yourself weekly foot spas, or invest in a proper pedicure by a beautician.

If you have any health problems that worsen this problem have them taken care of promptly and regularly.  People with diabetes, and the elderly, need to have regular foot examinations and pedicures.

Watch what footwear you wear. Stay away from open backed shoes and sandals, and never go around barefoot. If you are overweight, go on a diet.  Losing weight will not only help you to be healthier overall, but it will also help prevent foot problems.

For those with a job that requires you stand for long hours at a time, invest in very good footwear that will give your feet the support they need.  Pay special attention to your feet, and make sure that you regularly moisturize and exfoliate them.

If you have a problem with dry skin on feet you should make an effort to take care of it right away, before your skin cracks, fissures develop on your heels and those cracks become infected.  It is much easier to take care of this before it becomes a problem, simply by regular, routine foot care.  Do not minimize the importance of taking care of your feet. Regular care and maintenance are essential in preventing future problems, especially if you are older or have any other medical problems which will exacerbate this condition. If you are not sure what to do, visit a beautician for a pedicure and ask them how to heal dry feet and what you can do daily at home to care for your feet. Do not neglect the care of this important part of your body.

52 Comments