Treating cracked heels

Written By The HealthMeth Team - Updated On Thursday, February 4, 2021 6:00 PM

Cracked heels

Heel cracked or cracks in the heel , is a condition satisfactory common affects the feet, caused by dry skin , and accompanied by an increase in skin thickness, and the appearance of actinic skin sometimes, which tends to color May be yellow or brown, and this condition often results in a poor appearance. And sometimes the problem is more than just appearance; So that a person feels pain and discomfort when standing on the feet, and blood may reach from deep cracks, and in very severe cases, signs of infection such as redness and swelling may appear, which require going to a specialized doctor to treat them, and it is worth noting that the problem of cracked heels is observed in The women's community is more than I observe in the men's community. [1]


Causes of cracked heels

There are many factors and health conditions that cause dry feet and cracked heels, the most important of which are:

  • Standing for a long time on solid ground. [2]
  • Obesity The extra weight increases the pressure on the heel of the foot. [2]
  • Not drinking enough water, which causes dehydration in the skin. [3]
  • Not using foot moisturizers. [3]
  • Bathing in very hot water, or making hot body baths for a long time or during frequent periods. [3]
  • Scrubbing the feet while they are dry. [3]
  • Walking on the ground with bare feet or wearing ill-fitting shoes; Like wearing open sandals, or wearing shoes that do not fit the size of the foot. [4]
  • Using harsh or violent soaps on the skin ; It reduces the layer of natural oils on the skin. [4]
  • Cold or less humid climates that dry out the skin. [4]
  • Eczema or atopic dermatitis ; As the eczema problem increases the chance of dry skin. [2]
  • Psoriasis Where is the case of psoriasis and dry skin peeling. [2]
  • Keratosis of the palmar and soles ; Where this condition is an increase in the thickness of the skin on the soles of the hands and feet. [2]
  • Juvenile plantar dermatosis This disease in children is represented by an increase in the moisture of the skin of the feet, then it becomes dry repeatedly, which causes cracking feet. [2]
  • Diabetes Diabetes is often associated with dry skin, due to poor blood supply and high blood sugar . [4]
  • Other health conditions that cause dry skin and cracked heels; Such as vitamin deficiency, fungal infection, hypothyroidism , pregnancy, and aging or aging . [4]


Treating cracked heels

Treatment of minor cracks

The following are the most effective methods of treating mild cases of cracked heels:

  • Drinking water: Drink enough water to replace the deficiency and moisturize the skin again. [5]
  • Avoid daily showers: Try to avoid daily showering as much as possible, especially for long periods of time, and avoid showering more than once a day. This is to maintain the moisture of the skin and the natural oils on it. [5]
  • Avoid hot water: Avoid very hot water when showering, because it causes dry skin. [5]
  • Avoid aggressive soaps on the skin: which draw moisture from the body, and work to replace it with a gentle and light lotion on the skin. Where it is possible to rely sometimes on a shower or a body bath using oatmeal ; It cleans, moisturizes and protects from chapping. [5]
  • The use of emollients and skin moisturizers: Emollients are distinguished by that they penetrate the layers of the skin and fill the spaces between the cracks to make the skin soft and smooth, as well as reduce the loss of water in the skin, while moisturizers penetrate the upper layer of the skin and maintain moisture The skin also increases the skin's ability to trap water in the air. [1]
  • Using an occlusive moisturizer: It is used after the skin has absorbed the normal emollients and moisturizers. The presence of a thin layer of impermeable moisturizer helps prevent the evaporation of moisture from the outer layer of the skin, and since the nature of this moisturizer is oily, oily and sticky, it can be applied directly before bed, and an example is: Petroleum jelly , wool or lanolin (Lanolin), mineral oils (Mineral oil), and dimethicone . [1]
  • Wearing socks while sleeping: they are made of 100% cotton; This is because continuing to wear socks after putting Vaseline on the feet for several days will improve the condition of cracks to a large extent; As the cotton socks help to maintain moisture in the skin, allow the feet to breathe, and protect the bed sheet from Vaseline. [1]
  • The use of substances that dissolve the stratum corneum: , as it helps to get rid of the dead skin in the thick layers of the skin and thus maintain moisture, examples of which are lactic acid , glycolic acid , and acid. Salicylic acid , and urea , which are the best of them, as they combine moisturizing and dissolving the stratum corneum of the skin. [1]
  • Using a pumice stone: It is recommended to soak the feet with lukewarm soapy water for a period of twenty minutes, then remove the thick and tough layers of skin using pumice stone or pumice, and then dry the feet gently and carefully. The feet are ready in this state for double moisturizing with regular and impermeable moisturizers and wearing socks. [4]
  • Honey: Honey is considered one of the natural remedies for cracked feet, whether the feet are rubbed with honey after soaking them in water or applied as a mask for the feet overnight. Where it moisturizes the skin, heals cracks and wounds, and cleans it because of its antimicrobial property. [4]
  • Coconut oil: (Coconut oil) It is recommended to use coconut oil, especially after soaking the feet with water. This is due to its ability to maintain skin moisture and get rid of dryness, and it is also considered an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. [4]
  • Other natural remedies: These therapies help to moisturize the skin and maintain moisture, including; Vegetable oils such as olive oil, shea butter , mashed bananas, and paraffin wax . [4]


Treatment of severe cracks and pathological conditions

You should consult a specialist doctor foot care when you notice any signs of inflammation of cellular tissue associated with the skin cracks, which is redness and swelling as well as pain and dry skin; As this condition needs antibiotics to treat it, the same applies to patients with diabetes. Where they must pay attention to any cracks in the feet, which would increase the chance of diabetic foot ulcers . [2] [5]


In some medical cases, the doctor may take one of the following procedures: [1]

  • Remove dead skin.
  • Prescribing strong moisturizers .
  • Applying medical glue to the cracks.
  • Prescribe antibiotics.
  • Putting bandages on the heel.
  • Description of a heel pad .


References

  1. ^ A b t w c h Hannah Nichols , (26-3-2017), "Fixes for Six For Cracked Heels" , www.medicalnewstoday.com The , Retrieved 12-10-2017. Edited.
  2. ^ A b t w c h x of Deborah Fields (9-6-2016), "Cracked Heels" , www.news-medical.net The , Retrieved 12-10-2017. Edited.
  3. ^ A b T w Diana is Rodriguez (23-10-2009), "What ' Causes Cracked Heels?" , Www.everydayhealth.com , Retrieved 12-10-2017. Edited.
  4. ^ A b t w c h x d y of Annette McDermott (23-2-2017), "How To To the Fix Cracked Heels At Menu Home" , Www.healthline.com , Retrieved 12-10-2017. Edited.
  5. ^ A b t w c Diana is Rodriguez (23-10-2009), "Treatment For Cracked Heels: the Moisture" , Www.everydayhealth.com , Retrieved 12-10-2017. Edited.