Painful cracked heels remedy
Switching your thick boots for cute, breezy sandals is one
of the most gratifying aspects of the winter-to-spring shift.
However, the truth is that wearing exposed, non-supportive
shoes can harm your feet. Dry skin is unpleasant enough, but what about cracked
heels? It's not enjoyable to spend the entire day dodging painful fissures,
let's just say that.
The fact of the matter is that there is no need for
elaborate treatments for cracked heels. In order to keep your feet in top
condition, experts actually advise using inexpensive home remedies. What causes
cracked heels? And how can you safely treat them? Experts explain here.
What causes heels to crack?
The Institute for Preventive Foot Health states that,
although dry skin is a major contributor to cracked heels, it is not the only
offender:
- Protracted standing, especially on hard floors
- Open-backed footwear, such as sandals,
- Having calluses
- The pressure on the heels that comes with obesity
- Athlete's foot, psoriasis, or eczema in conditions
While some cracks are tiny, more serious ones can cause
bleeding, discomfort, and pain, particularly if bacteria enter into the
fissures. Therefore, it's critical to address the issue quickly before it
worsens.
How to
treat cracked, dry heels
Below are some easy techniques for soothing and relieving
your cracked heels. In no time at all, you'll be feeling great and back on your
feet.
Increase
your water intake first.
Don't only tend to your feet when you have cracked heels;
instead, grab a bottle of water, fill it up, and start sipping. Garrett Moore,
DPM, DABPM, a podiatrist at UCHealth Stapleton Foot & Ankle Center,
advises, "Make sure you're drinking enough water." Keep yourself
hydrated to prevent or treat dry, cracked skin, according to the expert.
"Your skin can lose about a liter of water during the day—more in dry
areas," he says.
Grab a quality water bottle that measures your consumption
and glows as a reminder to keep drinking if you have trouble getting your fix
during the day. Do you prefer to keep your drinks cold? You can depend on these
insulated water bottles.
Apply
moisturizer regularly.
The solution is the same whether you're attempting to heal
or prevent cracked heels: continue to moisturize. "Apply a quality
moisturizer at least once daily, if not more. There are many different
moisturizers and barrier creams available, and there are several reasons to use
particular kinds, but one of the major issues I have with patients is a lack of
consistency, according to Dr. Moore. Daily moisturizing of the foot is
required; do it in the morning and at bedtime.
Keeping fluids in your skin, reducing loss, and even drawing
in more from the damaged tissue (or even the environment!) will all be aided by
doing this. CeraVe, Lubriderm, and Aveeno all receive excellent praise from me
as over-the-counter products.
It's also crucial to be consistent with the things you use. Selecting
a cream or lotion and using it consistently will help prevent cracked heels.
Test
petroleum jelly.
According to Caroling Chang, MD, a board-certified
dermatologist at Rhode Island Hospital and a part of the Prevention Medical
Review Board, occlusive products like petroleum jelly, which is frequently
listed as petrolatum on the ingredients label, stay on the skin and create a
barrier to stop moisture loss if you need heavy-duty hydration.
Apply a small layer of a petroleum jelly-based product, such
as Vaseline, over the top of your lotion or cream to seal moisture into your
cracked foot. Or choose a cream like CeraVe Healing Ointment that already has
the component.
Use
powerful healing cream if needed.
When your cracked heels are severe, conventional lotions
occasionally won't work, so you'll need to pull out the heavy guns. Consult
your doctor if the regular, appropriate application of top-notch over-the-counter
medicines isn't enough to prevent fissures. According to Dr. Moore, a fungus
may occasionally make things worse. "If it's really simply dry skin, we
can prescribe emollients to get your skin healthy, such ammonium lactate or
urea cream, then transition you to a lotion to maintain that health," the
doctor said.
There are alternatives containing urea that you can get over the counter at the drugstore, however, they might not be nearly as potent.
Board-certified dermatologist Roberta Del Campo, MD, of Miami, suggests
Excipial 20% Urea Intensive Healing Cream, which works well but can be more
expensive than what you could obtain from your doctor. "Urea is a
keratolytic agent, which means it helps remove dead skin cells chemically,
leaving your feet soft and smooth. Not only is it excellent for calloused feet,
but it may also be used to soften hard knees and elbows, according to the
woman.
Buy
hydrating socks
A pair of socks designed specifically for dry, cracked heels
can provide additional moisturizing advantages if you wish to protect your
heels in addition to wearing your regular daily socks.
This NatraCure option features a liner that deeply
moisturizes your skin with aloe vera, vitamin E, and shea butter. Just be aware
that since these aren't your typical socks, they won't feel very comfortable or
soft. Instead, at first, they'll feel a little rubbery, but the heat from your
skin will trigger the release of healing agents. The reward? Not just your
heels but the entire foot will experience the softening effects.
Use
foot soaks.
Following the healing of the fissures, Dr. Engelman advises
soaking your feet before exfoliating calluses. There are several store-bought
versions available, such as this one from Purely Northwest that includes
antibacterial tea tree oil, but you may also utilize supplies you already have
at home, such as milk and honey.
This makes the skin softer so you don't have to clean it
vigorously. You don't want to over-exfoliate, so slow down if it begins to feel
sensitive.
Use a
pumice stone for exfoliation.
The finest tool to use for exfoliating after soaking your
feet is a pumice stone. It keeps calluses and dry patches at bay. Even though
calluses can be protective, if they become very thick, they can lose all
elasticity and break when you move, according to Dr. Engelman.
Ensure that everything is kept tidy. "If you use a
pumice stone occasionally—once every few weeks—soak the stone in liquid cleaner
or bleach before giving it a good rinse. The nooks and crannies that make it
such a natural skin file can accumulate dead skin and serve as a haven for
bacteria, according to Dr. Engelman.
Avoid
shaving or peeling your calluses.
It can be very difficult to resist picking at cracked or
peeling heels, yet doing so is detrimental to the health of your feet. Never
try to shave a callus yourself or manually remove dead skin. This is what I
refer to as "doing bathroom surgery," and it's a surefire way to get a
serious infection.
Actually, the only person who should be tinkering with your
foot problems is your doctor, as they are the experts and won't make matters
worse. "I'm working in a spotless setting with sanitary tools. I can also
remove only what is essential without causing unnecessary issues because I can
view your feet at a much clearer angle, he adds.
Put on
closed-back shoes.
Since open-backed shoes and sandals can worsen or cause
cracked heels,
Make sure you have a go-to pair of closed shoes you can wear
when you're having trouble, even if it's only a pair of sneakers. Protect the
region by donning closed-back shoes and socks.
Post a Comment