CRACKED HEELS

Cracked heels are a common foot problem. One survey found that 20 percent of adults in the United States experience cracked skin on their feet. This can occur in both adults and children and seems to affect women more often than men.

For most people, having cracked heels isn’t serious. It may cause discomfort when going barefoot. In some cases, cracks in the heels can become very deep and cause pain.

5 Natural Remedies For Cracked Heels (#2 Is SHOCKING!)

AETIOLOGY

The first sign of cracked heels is having areas of dry, thickened skin, known as callouses, around the rim of your heel. As you walk, the fat pad under your heel expands. This causes your callouses to crack.

Other factors that can cause cracked heels to include:

  • standing for long hours
  • walking around barefoot, or with open-back sandals
  • taking long, hot showers
  • using harsh soaps that can strip your skin of natural oils
  • shoes that don’t fit properly or support your heels
  • dry skin due to climate, such as cold temperatures or low humidity

If you don’t moisturize your feet regularly, they may dry out even faster.

Medical causes

High blood sugar and poor circulation resulting from diabetes are common causes for dry skin. Nerve damage may prevent you from knowing your feet are dry, cracked, and painful.

Other conditions that may lead to dry skin and cracked heels include:

In addition to having cracked heels, you may experience:

  • flaky skin
  • itching
  • pain, possibly severe
  • bleeding
  • red, inflamed skin
  • ulceration

In severe cases, you may develop complications with a cracked heel, especially if it’s caused by a medical condition. Complications can include:

  • a loss of feeling in your heel
  • cellulitis, an infection
  • diabetic foot ulcer

Symptoms of infection include pain, warmth, redness, and swelling. Call your doctor right away if you think you have an infection.

Your footwear matters. If you’re prone to cracked heels, try to find shoes that fit properly and support your heels. Whenever possible, wear shoes with a sturdy, wide heel that supports and cushions your heels.

Avoid

  • flip-flops and sandals, which can increase the risk of your feet drying out
  • open-back shoes, which generally don’t provide enough heel support
  • shoes with a tall, skinny heel, which can cause your heel to expand sideways
  • shoes that are too tight

Other ways to prevent cracked heels:

  • Avoid standing in one position or sitting with your legs crossed for too long.
  • Slather on thick foot cream at night and then cover your feet with socks to lock in moisture.
  • Inspect your feet daily, especially if you have diabetes or another condition that causes dry skin.
  • Wear custom shoe inserts (orthotics) to cushion your heel and even out weight distribution.
  • Wear good quality or clinically-tested padded socks.
  • Use silicon heel cups to keep the heel moisturized and help prevent the heel pad from expanding.
  • Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
  • Use a pumice stone after showering a few times a week to help prevent thickening skin. But avoid removing calluses yourself if you have diabetes or neuropathy. You may inadvertently create a wound and increase your risk of infection.


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