Cracked heels are a common foot problem. Most of the time, cracked heels are simply unappealing and can prevent you from certain activities. If left to progress and not treated, your heels can become sore and inflamed. Here are a few home treatments for your cracked heels.
How do Cracked Heels Occur?
Dry and thick heels can start cracking when pressure is placed on the foot for extended periods. Neglecting your foot care in your daily bathing routines can also lead to cracked heels.
Other factors that lead to cracked heels include open-back shoes, standing or being on your feet for prolonged periods, excessive walking in ill-fitting shoes, obesity, and medical conditions. Diabetes, psoriasis, and eczema can all contribute to sore and split heels.
How to Treat Your Heels at Home
Inside and Out
Moisturising is not just applying a cream or a lotion; there are many parts to keeping your skin hydrated. It is a well-known fact that you need to drink water and stay hydrated to have good skin; your feet will also feel the impact of dehydration. Moisture and hydration are paramount to ensuring your heels won’t crack under pressure. Drink enough water and have a balanced diet.
Moisturizing from the outside – make sure you apply a moisturizer within 15 minutes after a shower or a hot bath to keep moisture locked in. Petroleum jelly, lanolin, mineral oils, or silicone-based occlusive moisturizers will ensure moisture doesn’t dry off the skin.
Tricks and Treatments
- Soaking your feet once a week with softening Epsom salts or vinegar and hot water can help soften the hardened skin.
- Scrub and exfoliate your heels with a pumice stone or a loofa once or twice a week to remove any dead skin that is present and smooth down the roughest edges.
- Hot wax – Speak to your podiatrist about a hot wax treatment for your heels; it can help stimulate blood flow and healing in the area.
- Liquid Bandages – Spray-on bandages can help protect your heels from dirt and debris. Keeping the cracks clean can help speed up healing and prevent further pain.
- Intensive healing heel balm – Overnight balms applied to cracked heels with a pair of cotton socks over can help soften the rough patches and begin healing your feet.
Day-to-Day Care
Cracked heels present several different issues when cleaning your feet; make sure you clean the cracks properly to remove any dirt that may be trapped in the crevices. Try not to walk through muddy patches or on dirty floors with cracked and inflamed heels – dirt and bacteria could cause an infection and other issues such as foot fungus.
Never peel or pull tough skin on your heels; by pulling the cracked and dry skin, you could tear healthy skin underneath the crack and end up with bleeding open wounds that cause additional pain and higher the risk of infections.
Birmingham Cracked Heel Care
Cracked heels can be painful and unsightly; it is essential to seek help from a foot care specialist if your cracked heels are linked to a medical condition before treating it at home. We can help you create a care plan to manage your painful cracked heels.