Cracked heels are a well-known cosmetic problem among women and men all over the planet. They not only look untidy, but also cause severe discomfort, as they cause severe pain, and deep cracks can cause serious infection and fester if they are not treated in a timely manner.
Typically, the disease begins with dryness and flaking, which gradually worsen and develop into small cracks. Every month things get worse and worse, because the feet undergo enormous loads every day. What causes cracks in the heel and how to cure them, you need to know at the first signs of the disease, so as not to delay, but to act immediately.
There are many reasons for the appearance of cracked heels in women and men, here are the main ones:
With poor nutrition, the body lacks beneficial vitamins, causing the skin to become less elastic and more susceptible to the adverse effects of the external environment. The skin on the heels is always under pressure, so it must be quite dense and elastic. The skin of the feet is usually affected by a lack of vitamins E, F, A.
Excess weight can also cause injury to the feet, because they are not designed to carry 30-40 or more kg of excess fat. As a result, the skin of the feet cannot withstand it, becomes thinner and cracks appear on the heels. The same thing happens when the gastrointestinal tract is disrupted, the necessary substances are poorly absorbed and their deficiency occurs.
Skin diseases such as psoriasis or ichthyosis can cause cracked heels. It is important to note that foot fungus is not the cause, but the diseases can occur together, then in addition to unpleasant wounds on the feet, itching and peeling also appear.
The problem is often caused by uncomfortable shoes in winter and dry skin in summer. In summer, the skin of the feet is very vulnerable, because people wear open-toed shoes. In addition to the pressure when walking, the skin is exposed to the sun, it becomes chapped and dirty, the feet constantly have to be washed with soap. In winter, the heels suffer from tight shoes. And, if the shoes are made of unnatural materials, and are even too tight, then the skin of the feet does not breathe, becomes thinner and flakes.
As a rule, it is easiest to get rid of cracked heels at the initial stage of the disease, when the skin just begins to peel off. In this case, it is enough just to identify the causes of the problem and eliminate them, then the skin will stop suffering and quickly recover.
How to treat heels in the initial stages of the disease:
Incorrectly chosen shoes most often become the cause of various foot diseases, including cracked heels. When buying a new pair of boots, you need to pay attention to the following signs:
It is best if the disease is treated under the supervision of a dermatologist, but there are situations when the problem takes you by surprise with severe pain. In this case, you can alleviate the condition in the following ways:
To get rid of the problem quickly, it is best to immediately contact a specialist who will quickly determine the problem of the disease and, if necessary, prescribe tests, as well as visit such specialized specialists as an endocrinologist and nutritionist. A dermatologist usually deals with the treatment of skin diseases, so first of all you need to contact to him.
If the cause of cracked heels is skin diseases, for example, foot fungus, then the doctor will prescribe special drug treatment aimed at eliminating the true cause of the problem. If the disease is associated with poor nutrition, a nutritionist will select the necessary diet. In case of hormonal disorders, it will be necessary to undergo a course of treatment with hormonal and other drugs.
In each individual case, the doctor selects treatment according to the patient’s condition, so it is impossible to create a general treatment plan. If the cause of the cracks is external factors, and not internal disorders in the body, then local antiseptics and healing agents will be prescribed as treatment.
You can heal cracked heels using folk remedies, these can be various baths, healing lotions and compresses. You should not be treated with folk remedies if the wound has festered or is accompanied by severe pain; in this case, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
It is better to heal cracks using one recipe of baths and ointments or lotions. You should not use everything at once. Each recipe must be applied comprehensively for 10 days, steaming and moisturizing your feet, but you should not rub them with a pumice stone every day. If after a course of treatment with folk remedies there is no improvement, you need to consult a doctor to identify the exact cause of the problem.
Prevention of the disease consists of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. First of all, you need to adjust your diet; it should contain a sufficient amount of fruits, vegetables and meat to cover the body’s needs for vitamins. Properly selected shoes also play an important role; uncomfortable shoes can not only provoke skin defects, but also such serious diseases as clubfoot and flat feet, especially in children.
If the patient is overweight, it would not be a bad idea to engage in sports to lose it, then the load on the feet will decrease and cracks will stop appearing. And if there is a tendency for problems to appear in the summer, you need to moisturize your skin daily and use gentle gels to wash your feet.
To quickly cure cracked heels, it is necessary to unload the foot so that the heel does not become even more injured. If possible, it is better to walk as little as possible during the treatment period. Once the wounds heal, you can continue your active lifestyle without daily suffering.
In this article we will take a closer look at which ointment for cracked heels is the most effective, why these cracks form and what home and pharmacy remedies can be used to combat them.
Almost every person knows what cracked heels are.
Dry, rough skin bursts and creates not only aesthetic, but also quite noticeable physical inconvenience.
If measures are not taken in time, the development of events may be unexpected.
The cracks begin to bleed, cause severe pain, make movement difficult, and at the very least dangerous.
Through open wounds, an infection can enter the body, which can cause many serious diseases.
Let's take a closer look at how to cure cracked heels using pharmaceuticals and traditional medicine, as well as how to prevent this problem from occurring in the future.
Cracked heels can be cured in a fairly short time, but if the root cause is not removed, they will continue to appear in the future, and each time the situation will only get worse.
Most often this problem occurs in the following cases:
These are the main reasons. Try to identify the cause of the heel problems in your case and rule it out.
The shelves of modern cosmetics stores are overflowing. Entire departments are dedicated to foot care products.
Creams, scrubs, lotions, deodorants, scrubbers, bases for baths, special moisturizing socks... you can’t find anything.
However, we said above that excessive care can also cause the formation of cracks in the heels, and inappropriate cosmetics provoke their appearance.
Run your hand over your palm. The skin here is the same as it should normally be on the feet. Only in these parts of the body is it thick and consists of as many as 80-100 layers of cells, which in turn are divided into groups, each of which plays its own role.
The most important one is the epidermis, all the others serve to protect it, retaining moisture, protecting from the negative effects of the environment, etc., and if even one fails, problems cannot be avoided.
What is this for? The fact is that the use of cosmetics affects only the very top layer of cells, and if cracks appear on the heels, the problem is much deeper. Do not rush to buy expensive creams and ointments in cosmetic stores.
Cracked heels are a disease that can only be overcome with the help of special pharmaceutical drugs.
In most cases, these are ointments and creams that have a complex effect, moisturizing, nourishing, exfoliating dead cells and stimulating normal regeneration processes.
Before use, you should carefully read the instructions, but in principle the method of application is the same:
It is advisable to do the procedure at night and do not forget to carefully read the instructions not only for the method of use, but also to familiarize yourself with the storage features and pay attention to the expiration date of the drug.
Yes, and do not rush to buy an advertised product, acting on the principle - expensive means good.
Consult with your doctor or pharmacist, because most of these drugs are very inexpensive.
The main thing is that the principle of action is chosen correctly, because if the cause of cracks is a fungus, an ointment for healing wounds caused by hormonal disorders will not help.
Let's look at the most popular and effective pharmaceutical drugs.
This ointment is indispensable when cracked heels are caused by a lack of vitamins. It moisturizes, nourishes, starts regeneration processes, and has an antipruritic effect.
Carefully read the instructions for the drug. It is prohibited for use by pregnant and lactating women. Elderly people should use it only under constant medical supervision.
It is not recommended to use the product for severe inflammation, so as not to provoke an increase in symptoms.
Natural components promote rapid healing of wounds, have an antibacterial effect, relieve inflammation, relieve pain and itching. Designed not only for heels, but also for any surface of the skin. Suitable for combating and protecting against fungus.
It has no contraindications, except for individual intolerance to the components of the drug.
The most common Vaseline can overcome even very deep cracks. It is enough to apply it to damaged skin several times a day and leave until completely dry. Literally after the first application, elasticity will appear. Patients note immediate hydration, disappearance of pain and burning.
No contraindications have been identified.
In most cases, the use of ointment is well tolerated by patients, it is even used to treat diaper rash caused by diapers in small children, but it can also cause a negative reaction. If burning, itching, rashes, redness, etc. occur. you must stop using the drug immediately.
20% salicylic ointment can heal cracked heels in a matter of times. There are several ways to use it to combat this problem. You can apply it to the damp skin of your feet and leave it to absorb, or you can make a compress by spreading the product on cellophane and wrapping it tightly to the sore area with a bandage made of natural fabric.
The maximum treatment period is 10 days, but this applies to deep bleeding cracks; they are usually cured faster.
This product was originally developed for the full care of cows, or more precisely, the udders of dairy animals, but thanks to its surprisingly balanced composition, people also use it quite successfully. Psoriasis, dermatitis and even cracked heels cannot resist such exposure. The work of the cream is explained by the content of an extract from the mycelium of mushrooms.
Note: this particular cream received the title of “Golden Quality Mark” of the 21st century.
Sometimes dermatologists recommend using special medical glue BF-6 to heal cracks. To do this, you must first wash your feet, dry them with a towel, apply glue and wait until dry.
Then do not touch the damaged area for a week, and after 7 days the glue must be carefully removed, and then regularly take baths to soften and gradually remove the stratum corneum.
Using creams with salicylic or lactic acid helps.
Cracked heels are not a new phenomenon.
Our ancestors were also familiar with this problem, so traditional medicine has a whole arsenal of means to combat it; all that remains is to choose the most suitable option for yourself.
The use of fats in the preparation of homemade ointments is mandatory, because one of the main tasks in the fight against cracked skin is to restore its elasticity and firmness.
However, badger and pork fats are also useful in themselves, they have antibacterial properties, accelerate wound healing, so you can lubricate damaged skin with them only, or you can enhance the effect with medicinal herbs.
It is best to use calendula and celandine.
The cooking method is simple. The fat must be melted in a water bath, mixed in a 2:1:1 ratio with calendula and celandine, and boil for half an hour.
You need to carefully monitor the mixture so that it does not boil. Afterwards, while the ointment is still hot, you need to strain it through a fine sieve to remove any remaining herbs. Keep refrigerated.
Use once a day, applying to clean, slightly steamed skin (preferably before bed).
For the ointment, you can use both fresh and dried herbs, only in the second option they must first be filled with hot water so that they soften a little.
Various herbs can be used to treat cracked heels.
In addition to celandine and calendula, burdock leaf and root, plantain, calendula, and chamomile heal wounds well. These herbs can be used individually or as a mixture.
To obtain an ointment, they must be mixed with fats.
This could be badger and pork fat, which we talked about earlier, it could be melted wax, vegetable oil, as well as pharmaceutical Vaseline and the most common baby cream. The proportions are always 1:1.
Chicken or duck yolk has a positive effect on the condition of the heels.
It should be mixed with a tablespoon of natural sunflower oil and a teaspoon of 9% vinegar, applied to pre-washed and thoroughly steamed feet, wrapped in cellophane and wearing warm socks.
Leave for 2-3 hours, or better yet overnight.
Note. The presence of vinegar can cause discomfort, especially if the wounds are deep and bleeding. In these cases, shorten the procedure time, or choose another option.
Beeswax is famous for its healing abilities. To combat cracked heels, this is one of the best remedies.
There are several recipes for preparing ointments based on it:
Ointments prepared on the basis of beeswax perfectly nourish the skin, increase its elasticity and can be used to moisturize lips, elbows, knees, heels and other dry and rough areas of the skin.
If you don’t have time to prepare the ointment, you can use other methods that also work well in the fight against rough skin:
There are a lot of options for making a healing product with your own hands. Choose any one, but remember that the treatment should not cause discomfort.
If during the procedure you feel itching, burning, or if the skin of your feet turns red, stop using the method and use another one that is more suitable for you.
How to prepare a good ointment for cracked heels, watch this video.
So, let's summarize.
If you have cracked heels:
Prevention is better than cure. Cracked heels do not appear overnight.
To avoid them, you need to follow the rules of personal hygiene, use the most suitable cosmetics, monitor your health, take vitamins, and undergo regular medical examinations.
We hope that with the help of our article you will be able to answer your question, which ointment for cracked heels is the best and completely get rid of this problem.
Cracked heels are not only a cosmetic problem, but also a source of constant discomfort and pain. Initially, a patch of dry and hard skin forms on the heel, which over time begins to peel off and become covered with small cracks. This part of the body is constantly under stress and, at first, small damage becomes deeper and larger. Over time, the cracks become inflamed and can become infected, constantly reminding of themselves with cutting and stabbing pains.
This problem most often makes itself felt in the summer, but it is possible that it may appear in other seasons as well. After the appearance of deep and inflamed cracks in the heels, a person finds it difficult to take every step, and wearing shoes can become simply unbearable. Our article will help you solve this problem and get rid of debilitating pain, in which we will talk about the causes and methods of treating cracked heels.
The skin on the heels should be smooth, elastic, strong and thick - it bears the main load of all our weight when walking. Loss of elasticity leads to the appearance of microdamages, which, under the influence of stress, dirt, infection and sweat, increase in size and turn into cracks.
The loss of strength and elasticity of the skin in this area of the body is caused by overdrying of the skin (for example, in the summer a person walks barefoot on hot sand or wears open shoes).
Under the influence of external or internal factors, the upper layers of the skin dry out, and the rough and thick layer of keratinized skin cracks under stress.
The following internal and external factors can contribute to drying and roughening of the skin on the heels, and hence their cracking:
Fungal foot infections do not cause cracked heels, but the two problems can occur simultaneously. Such a neighborhood may be indicated by:
If you identify such signs, you should not self-medicate - contacting a dermatologist will help you cope with this problem more quickly and prevent relapse of the disease.
When you notice cracks in your heels, you should think about what external cause could have caused them. Eliminating it can save you from this problem.
At the first cracks in the heel, you can take a number of measures to treat them yourself:
Within 2-3 weeks you will be able to notice the positive effect of such activities.
But you can do without glue and use specialized products that also have a film effect. But in addition to this important function, they contain components aimed at restoring cracked skin. For example, Hilfix, made in Switzerland. This is a special thick paste-like product. Apply pointwise to cracked skin, instantly fills the crack and covers it with a thin protective film. It not only protects the damaged area from additional irritating factors, but also, due to its fixation on the skin, ensures long-term contact of the active components of the composition. The balanced, unique formula is aimed at filling the skin with substances necessary for recovery, nourishing it, moisturizing it and helping to relieve inflammation.
Taken together, the listed properties of HilFix lead to the fact that the restoration of cracked heel skin occurs in a short time: the duration of use, as a rule, is 2-3 days. Video clip on composition and application:
If all the methods described above do not help you, then you need to seek help from a specialist. A dermatologist will help determine the cause of cracked heels and prescribe appropriate treatment. If necessary, he can refer you for a consultation with an endocrinologist or gastroenterologist.
If a number of skin or fungal diseases are detected, the dermatologist will be able to prescribe a course of special treatment and give recommendations for caring for the skin of the feet. In some cases, with particularly deep cracks, which can form due to diabetes mellitus and other serious diseases, antibiotic ointments are recommended to the patient.
Various traditional medicine recipes can be used to treat cracked heels. These remedies are also recommended by many dermatologists, but only in cases where this problem is not aggravated by complications (severe inflammation or suppuration).
Traditional medicine offers many recipes for treating cracked heels:
Lotions with elecampane decoction - add 2 tablespoons of crushed roots to a liter of water and bring to a boil, pour the decoction into a thermos and leave overnight. Apply warm lotions or compresses daily - the cracks will heal very quickly.
Baths in nettle infusion - pour 2 tablespoons of the herb with a liter of boiling water and cover the container with a warm towel. Wait for the infusion to cool, strain and use the warm infusion for baths, which should be performed for 15–20 minutes. Dry your feet and apply 2% salicylic acid ointment to the cracks. Apply rich cream to the skin of your feet and massage. Such daily procedures will delight you with results within a week.
Potato starch baths - add 2 tablespoons of starch to a liter of warm water and stir. Before going to bed, steam your feet in this solution, rinse with clean water and rub with a pumice stone. Dry your feet with a towel, apply a rich cream and put on cotton socks at night. Do the baths every day – the results will be noticeable within a week.
Oil moisturizing compress - after a foot bath, which you perform before bed, apply olive, sea buckthorn or linseed oil to the skin of your feet. Wrap your feet in cling film and bandage them. Leave the compress until the morning. In the morning, do another foot bath and rub your heels with a pumice stone (or do another exfoliation).
Compress of oatmeal and flaxseed oil - boil oatmeal or flakes in water, add a large portion of flaxseed oil to the porridge, mix, divide into two parts and place in plastic bags. Put them on your feet and insulate them with a warm cloth. After 2 hours, remove, wash your feet in warm water, dry and apply a rich cream. To noticeably improve the condition of the skin of the heels and feet, it is necessary to carry out 3-5 such procedures.
Compress of honey and cabbage - before going to bed, steam the skin of your feet in a bath and dry with a towel, rub honey into the cracks and apply a cabbage leaf to your heels. Secure with a bandage and put on socks. In the morning, remove the compress and rinse off the remaining honey with warm water. Repeat the procedure until the cracks disappear.
Compress of milk and coltsfoot leaves - boil a glass of milk and add 2 tablespoons of finely chopped herb leaves. Place the container in a water bath and leave for about an hour. Cool the coltsfoot pulp, apply it in a thin layer on gauze and apply to the crack for half an hour. Repeat daily until the skin heals.
Ointment with essential oils of chamomile and lavender for healing cracks - add 2 drops of essential oils to a tablespoon of baby cream or Vaseline and mix. The ointment should be stored in a tightly closed container. Apply to cracks three times daily until cracks heal.
Rubbing from yogurt and butter - beat softened butter in a bowl, add half a glass of yogurt to it and mix everything until smooth. Steam your feet and apply the mixture with light circular massaging movements to the cracks. You can repeat the procedure 2-3 times a day. Use this remedy until the cracks heal.
Egg yolk ointment - whisk the yolk, a tablespoon of vegetable oil and a teaspoon of vinegar. Before going to bed, steam your feet in a warm bath and lubricate your heels and cracks with ointment. Wrap your feet in cling film and put on socks. In the morning, wash off any remaining ointment and gently rub your heels with a pumice stone.
Use these folk recipes regularly - the results from their use will please you. If after a week of using this or that product you do not notice any improvement or the skin on your heels is red, suppurating and very painful, do not delay your visit to a dermatologist and follow all his recommendations for treatment.
Cracks in the heels can cause a lot of trouble for their owner and become a gateway for infection. Be sure to fix this problem! After getting rid of cracks, do not forget that the best measure to prevent their reappearance will be measures to constantly care for the skin of your feet. Warm foot baths, regular exfoliation, moisturizing and nourishing creams, wearing comfortable shoes - all this will help you forget about the unpleasant sensations from cracked heels that you experienced earlier.
If cracks appear in your heels, you should consult a dermatologist or cosmetologist. At the same time, you need to be examined by a therapist to rule out diseases of the internal organs, and if necessary, visit an endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, or nutritionist.
Cracks in the heels are not aesthetically pleasing and cause discomfort when walking. If the problem is not eliminated, the situation worsens: the cracks begin to become inflamed, and it hurts to stand on your heel while walking.
How to treat cracked heels? Effective folk methods are used to treat the skin. In response, the heels will become smooth, velvety, even and healthy.
In summer, the skin on the heels becomes dry due to hot weather. Cracks can be deep and long or short and superficial, like notches. Cracked heels have an unsightly appearance, as if they were forgotten to wash. But it’s not a matter of hygiene; deep cracks in the heels have other reasons:
Leather that is not taken care of becomes clogged:
As a result, an inflammatory process occurs, causing discomfort.
To prevent the occurrence of cut marks on the feet, you need to scrape them with a pumice stone or a nail file, and apply ointment after baths.
In other cases, you need to use traditional methods.
If the cause of cracked heels was not a disease of the endocrine system or a disease of the internal organs, then home methods in the form of oils, creams, foot baths with soda and salt are suitable to get rid of the problem. Daily skin care for your heels will make it soft, smooth and velvety.
How to get rid of cracked heels? You need to choose a home remedy individually and be patient. A technique that helps one skin type may not work for another. It is important to keep your heels clean and prevent dirt and bacteria from getting into the cracks. If folk remedies do not help, then most likely the person has a skin disease and needs to see a doctor.
To apply this method, you first need to thoroughly wash your feet with soap or gel, and then put your feet in the bath for fifteen minutes. You can choose one of the listed baths, or you can alternate them for greater efficiency.
After taking a bath, it is recommended to clean the skin of the heels with a file, wipe the heels dry, lubricating the feet with a nourishing cream or oil with vitamins, propolis or beeswax.
A herbal bath heals wounds and eliminates inflammation. The following herbs are suitable for it:
You need to pour four tablespoons of the herb into a bath and fill it with two liters of hot water. Leave the broth for half an hour in a cool place. The mixture should be expressed into a basin, and then your feet should be placed in it for half an hour.
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Soda baths eliminate rough, keratinized skin, prevent the appearance of bacterial formations, and remove odor.
To make a soda bath, just dilute two tablespoons of soda in two liters of water, dip your heels in the water for 15 minutes, then clean them with a brush or nail file. After completing the procedure, feet should be rinsed and a nourishing cream applied.
To prepare, you need to dilute a spoonful of potato starch per liter of boiling water, place the resulting mixture in a bowl, and immerse your feet in it to soak for half an hour. If the water cools, you need to add boiling water. This technique is repeated during the night period. Upon completion, you need to cover the cracks with pharmaceutical oil and wrap your feet in a warm cloth. Repeat the procedure for several weeks.
After washing your feet and treating them with a pumice stone or nail file, it is recommended to lubricate the skin of your feet with ointment. It is best to do this at night, after putting socks on your feet. You can buy ready-made cream with calendula, wheat germ or beeswax, or you can make the cream yourself.
You need to take olive oil, in which the onions have been thoroughly fried, and then add beeswax, propolis and peas to a glass of the mixture. Boil all ingredients until the wax melts. After boiling for two minutes, strain into a jar and cool. The resulting mixture is very useful for lubricating cracked heels.
Melt a pinch of beeswax with a spoonful of cocoa butter in a saucepan. Cool the melted mixture and add a teaspoon of any liquid oil (sea buckthorn, calendula, rose hips). Pour everything into a jar and place in a cool place. This ointment is good for lubricating dry areas of the skin.
At night, after taking a foot bath, it is useful to lubricate your heels with calendula ointment, which is sold in any pharmacy, put socks on your feet and go to bed. After 5 days of this procedure, the legs look soft and smooth, and the cracks disappear.
The simplest and most economical remedy to cover your feet while you sleep. At the end of the bath, rub your feet with oil and go to bed.
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There are several grandmother's tips:
The following is a medical video - a reference book from which you can learn several more recipes and remedies for treating cracked heels:
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Oh, this is so unpleasant. I've encountered something similar myself. I think it's all because of the wrong shoes. Now, of course, I have found a solution for myself. This is Urelia 50 balm. I apply it to cracks. I lie down for about 20 minutes, then put on my socks and go to sleep. The effect is almost immediately noticeable. No, the rubber bands do not heal overnight, but you can walk and there is no pain. Soft heels become in a week.
The cracks turned out to be very difficult to treat, I have already used a ton of creams, they write on them that they are “for cracks,” but in fact they do not treat cracks. Recently I just tested a new product, Hilfix, it needs to be applied under the patch, and I did it twice a day, and for three days my heels were unrecognizable, you can safely wear sandals, it’s only a pity that it’s winter))
What kind of remedy is this? This is the first time I’ve heard this, although I’ve tried a lot to get rid of cracked heels
Victoria, Hilfix is an innovative cream (although, in my opinion, it looks more like a paste), which is why we haven’t heard of it before - it’s just appearing on sale. I myself have been suffering from these cracks for a long time, I tried everything I could to cure them, but only Hilfix helped - and practically instantly: literally before my eyes, with its use, the cracks healed, my heels became smooth