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Cracked heels and toes

25 Sep 18

Fingers crack: causes and treatment

Very often, women (and men too) are faced with such a problem as cracks on their fingers. You can sin for a number of reasons, but it is better to understand them and understand how to overcome the problem. So, your fingers are cracking. What to do about this and what could be the reasons for this phenomenon?

Causes of cracks in hands

If you notice that your skin has noticeably become rougher, followed by cracks, you should first find out why this happened. First, remember what you have been doing and what you have been in contact with recently, maybe there was a long period of work that involved water, household chemicals (for example, detergent for dishes, floors, washing powders, cleaning products, soap with a high alkali content etc.). There are a lot of different elements in water (and sometimes even the entire periodic table) that are harmful to the skin of your hands. And there’s no need to talk about household chemicals at all. A huge number of harmful substances and compounds are not just harmful, but detrimental to the skin. Therefore, you need to work with these substances only with rubber gloves, which housewives sometimes forget about or simply ignore.

The second most common cause is fungus. Different types of fungi can cause dry skin, causing your fingers to crack. In this case, drug treatment is desirable. By the way, this is the same reason why your toes, heels and feet crack. You can carry out small but very pleasant procedures in this case. Steam your feet and/or hands in a bowl of hot water and iodine. To enhance the effect, you can add salt and soda to the water. After steaming, you should clean the affected areas with a pumice stone, then wipe your feet dry with a towel and apply an antibacterial cream (or, for example, calendula ointment).

Dust, dirt, and sand can also cause your fingers to crack. When they get on your hands, they absorb moisture and irritate the skin. As a result, you get cracks. The same can happen if your immunity has dropped sharply, you consume little water or you lack vitamins.

And not the rarest reason is allergic reactions. Very often cosmetic products cause such unpleasant symptoms, and we are guilty of everything. So, we figured out why fingers crack. Now about ways to solve the problem.

Fingers are cracking: treatment

It is better, of course, to go to a dermatologist who will find out the cause of this phenomenon. But there are still universal methods for getting rid of cracks that can be recommended. The first thing to think about is rubber gloves when working with chemicals. Point number two is the consumption of vitamins if they are not enough. It won’t hurt to go through the above procedure with iodine, which will be a good prevention of fungus. And try changing your makeup. Refrain from visiting public places such as swimming pools, baths, saunas. If there is no improvement, be sure to consult a doctor, as the reasons may lie in more serious diseases. By the way, it is very useful to put cotton gloves or socks on your hands/feet after applying a rich cream for dry hands (a lot of use, I must say).

Why do heels crack?

Cracks in the heels are not only unsightly, they are painful and unsafe, as they can become a site of infection. The process begins almost imperceptibly, with small notches, which over time turn into deep cracks. They bleed, become infected and hurt. This is why it is so important to start treating your heels early.

To get rid of the problem, you need to understand why your heels crack. Most often, heels crack due to:

  • improper care
  • wearing uncomfortable shoes or shoes with synthetic insoles,
  • lack of vitamin A,
  • excess weight,
  • fungus,
  • diabetes
  • Care means not just washing your feet, but regularly removing rough skin and moisturizing the skin on your heels. Why shouldn't you wear synthetic shoes? Why is it better to wear socks made from natural materials? Uncomfortable shoes lead to minor mechanical damage to the feet; the heels peel, dry out and crack. Synthetic insoles, constant wearing of nylon tights and synthetic socks lead to the fact that the feet sweat, the skin becomes dry, microbes actively multiply and penetrate into small cracks in the feet. Due to the lack of vitamin A (retinol), the skin dries out, which leads to a loss of elasticity on the heels, causing it to crack. Why does vitamin A deficiency occur? It can be called:

  • lack of liver, eggs, yellow fruits and vegetables, carrots, herbs, etc. in food;
  • lack of vitamin E and zinc, which prevent retinol from oxidizing and help activate vitamin A;
  • diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and skin;
  • disruptions in the endocrine system, including menopause and pregnancy;
  • using mineral oils that dissolve vitamin A.
  • The extra twenty kilograms of weight for the heels becomes an unbearable burden, and due to the pathogenic fungus, the skin on the outside of the heels is damaged and cracks. Why does foot fungus occur? You can get a fungal infection in a bathhouse, swimming pool, or on the beach, and it most quickly affects people with weakened immunity and poor circulation. An experienced dermatologist will advise you to get tested for sugar, since diabetes causes hormonal imbalance and a possible decrease in blood circulation in the legs. Sometimes the skin on the heels cracks for several reasons at the same time. A doctor can help you find out why your heels are cracking. He will tell you what to do and what treatment to prescribe.

    At the initial stage of the process, when the skin has just begun to crack, it is possible to treat it at home using folk remedies. First of all, it’s worth taking care of your heels. The skin on the heels is steamed, the heels are polished with pumice, dried, and lubricated with a rich cream. Purchase shoes made from natural materials that do not pinch or splatter. If your heels are peeling and cracking, you should lie down while resting with a cushion under your feet. Due to a lack of vitamin A, the skin dries out, which is why you should eat foods rich in vitamin A: cottage cheese, tomatoes, asparagus, green onions, cheese, liver, carrots, dairy products, spinach, lettuce, legumes. Folk remedies that provide treatment for cracked heels, proven by many years of practice, recommend:

  • Place slightly crushed burdock leaves in socks under the heels;
  • make a compress of oatmeal without salt with linseed oil;
  • make a honey compress at night;
  • make daily baths with nettle, plantain or celandine;
  • make compresses from grated apple;
  • make a decoction of potatoes in their jackets, crush the potatoes in it, pour the liquid into a basin, add a tablespoon of soda, steam the legs, peel with pumice, wipe and apply a rich cream;
  • treat heels with a mixture of lanolin and aloe juice;
  • lubricate the heels with a 1:1 solution of vinegar and glycerin;
  • make hot compresses with steamed elecampane roots;
  • treat with a vodka compress at night, lubricate the heels with cream in the morning;
  • treat with foot baths with the addition of sea salt and two drops of essential oil, after which the heels are cleaned with pumice and lubricated with cream;
  • use Vaseline to soften and moisturize the skin;
  • treat with a compress of grated onion for several days in a row.
  • Drug treatment

    If home remedies don't help and your skin continues to crack, you should see a dermatologist to find out why your heels are cracking and what kind of treatment needs to be done. Qualified treatment takes into account which cause must be eliminated in order to cure heels once and for all. If your heels peel or crack, doctors prescribe:

  • Balsamed ointment containing vitamins A, F, B5, glycerin, urea and essential oils;
  • Radevit ointment has regenerating, anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effects);
  • bio astin antifungal cream containing vitamins C and B, amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, micro- and macroelements;
  • pine cream or allga san, including pine oil, allatonin, turpentine, chamomile extract;
  • creams containing bee propolis or vitamins A and F;
  • treating heels with a mixture of equal parts of salicylic acid, paraffin and beeswax, which is applied warm in layers for a day.
  • Why is it more effective to treat heels with medications prescribed by a doctor? Because the dermatologist takes into account what is the underlying cause of the disease. If the skin is deeply cracked, antibiotics are used or anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed for internal use. If the heels crack, and the cracks become inflamed, swollen, or pustules form around them, antibacterial treatment is urgently needed. All medications and folk remedies are applied to heels that have been steamed and treated with pumice. It is useless to treat untreated legs.

    If your heels are cracking or peeling due to poor circulation, foot massage can help with:

  • petroleum jelly or petroleum jelly;
  • a mixture of a bottle of glycerin with a teaspoon of 6% vinegar or a few drops of ammonia;
  • cocoa butter;
  • coconut oil;
  • sesame oil;
  • castor oil;
  • any vegetable oil;
  • contents of vitamin A and E capsules;
  • any fatty cream with vitamin E and aloe;
  • creams “Burenka” or “Zorka” from a veterinary pharmacy.
  • Regular massage will not only help get rid of cracked heels, but also improve your overall well-being. When treatment is being carried out, you should not wear flip-flops, walk barefoot, or dig in the garden with bare feet. If your heels do not crack, to prevent the occurrence of cracked heels, you should take care of them daily by lubricating your heels with cream.

    Why the heels of women burst: causes and treatment with folk remedies

    Cracked heels are not just a cosmetic defect, but a source of pain and discomfort. To correct this condition, you need to know why cracked heels appear.

    More details about the problem

    When a crack forms, the skin first appears as an area of ​​excessively hard, dry skin. Then this area of ​​the foot begins to peel off, and over time it bursts and cracks. Due to the high stress placed on the heel area, the problem gets worse very quickly. At first, the heels simply dry out and crack, and then infection and inflammation develop, which causes severe pain.

    The occurrence of cracked heels is more common on hot days of summer, but this condition can also appear at other times of the year. Cracked skin on the foot prevents you from performing your usual activities - running, walking, even a small load on the affected heels provokes severe pain.

    Causes of cracked heels

    To understand how to properly fix the problem, you should find out why women's heels crack. Indeed, under normal conditions, with a healthy body, the skin on the legs is smooth, elastic and durable. So, the reasons for the appearance of cracked heels may be as follows:

  • Excessive load on the heel area. Because of this, elasticity is lost, microdamages occur, which over time turn into rough cracks.
  • Dry skin during the hot season due to wearing open shoes or walking barefoot. After the upper layers of the skin dry out, the stratum corneum cracks.
  • Wearing ill-fitting, tight shoes. Cracks form if the shoes are not the right size, have a high heel, or, conversely, the sole is too flat.
  • Incorrect foot skin care. Pedicure is an important and irreplaceable procedure; even at home, it can be done according to all the rules and with benefits for the skin of the feet.
  • Insufficient content of tocopherol (vitamin E), carotene (vitamin A) in food.
  • Some skin pathologies (psoriasis, ichthyosis).
  • Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Pathologies of the endocrine system.
  • If you find out why the skin on your heels is cracking, you can eliminate the problem by correcting its trigger.

    Where to start treating cracks

    When a girl discovers that she has cracking heels, she should try to find out what external factor could have triggered the cracking, causing the skin of her feet to become prone to such a problem? A crack can form due to uncomfortable shoes - in this case, you should choose more comfortable ones, buy orthopedic insoles - that is, take care of your own comfort. If you are prone to cracking of the skin of your feet, you should avoid shoes with open heels; it is also recommended to wear special silicone heel pads.

    Foot skin care should be proper, but not excessive. If you carry out peeling or scrubbing procedures too often, the skin will not have time to renew itself and will become too thin and vulnerable. Therefore, you need to correctly draw up a foot care schedule and use various products to moisturize, nourish, and disinfect the skin of the feet. Wound healing ointments and gels can eliminate cracks in a short time.

    It is also important to adjust your diet, including a sufficient amount of vitamins in your usual menu. You should drink about 1.5-2 liters of water per day - this will keep your skin moisturized at an acceptable level.

    When cracks appear, it is necessary to limit the load on the heel area - you should walk less, stand less, and give your feet more rest. Excessive load can also be caused by excess weight - so you should decide to reduce it.

    First aid for cracked heels

    When cracked heels appear, it is important to take care of removing the stratum corneum and nourishing the deeper layers of the epidermis. To do this, you should very carefully clean the stratum corneum of the skin of the heels using a pedicure grater or pumice, and then lubricate the feet with creams containing keratolytic substances (salicylic, glycolic, lactic acid).

    After such procedures, moisturizing and nourishing products should be applied. At night after applying the cream, you can wear socks to make the effect more noticeable. If you do such procedures regularly for a month, you can notice a positive result.

    Seeing a doctor is necessary if the problem is not corrected, and the condition of the skin of the heels only worsens. A consultation with a dermatologist will help find out the cause of the formation of cracks: the specialist will refer you for examination to a gastroenterologist or endocrinologist to determine the factor causing the problem.

    After the main cause of the pathology is identified, the doctor prescribes the optimal treatment regimen that will restore health to the skin of the feet. Complex therapy may include the following:

    These drugs are highly effective and can get rid of the problem of cracked heels in a short time.

    Traditional methods for correcting cracked heels

    For the treatment of cracked heels, a variety of traditional medicine formulations are provided. Any of them should be used after consulting with your doctor. Among all the recipes, the most effective ones need to be highlighted:

  • Elecampane decoction. In order to prepare such a remedy, you need to brew two tablespoons of elecampane root with a liter of boiled hot water, boil, and leave for 12 hours. Then you need to apply compresses to the area of ​​​​the feet - daily such procedures help to quickly improve the condition of the affected areas of the skin.
  • Baths based on nettle infusion. To prepare the infusion, add two tablespoons of nettle leaves with hot water (liter), then leave until it cools. Strain the solution and use it to prepare foot baths. You need to take them for 20 minutes. Afterwards, it is recommended to wipe your feet and lubricate your feet with ointment with 2% salicylic acid. Then lubricate your feet with nourishing cream and massage.
  • Baths with starch. Add two tablespoons of starch powder to a liter of water at a comfortable temperature, keep your feet in this bath for 15 minutes, then rinse them with water and rub them with a pumice stone. Dry your feet with a towel, apply cream and put on socks to make the procedure more effective.
  • Oil compress. After washing your feet, you should lubricate the skin using linseed, sea buckthorn or olive oil. Then you need to wrap your feet in cling film and bandage them. Leave the compress on until you wake up in the morning.
  • Ointment with essential oils. To prepare it, mix a tablespoon of Vaseline or rich cream with drops of lavender and chamomile essential oils. You can also add tea tree oil to the product - it also has an excellent healing effect.
  • Mechanical methods for treating cracks

    Correction of cracks using mechanical methods involves getting rid of the stratum corneum of the skin using special products. Cleansing includes the following stages:

  • steaming;
  • elimination of the stratum corneum;
  • crack treatment;
  • procedures for nutrition and hydration.
  • To soften the skin, you should prepare various baths, recipes for some of them are given above. Peeling involves the use of scrubbing agents, a pedicure grater and pumice stone. As a scrub, you can use home remedies made with ground coffee or coarse sea salt.

    After the procedure for removing rough skin, it is recommended to wipe the feet with special disinfectants. Hydrogen peroxide is suitable for this. Then you need to lubricate your heels with a cream with a keratolytic effect - it should contain glycolic, lactic or salicylic acid. Afterwards, you need to wrap the skin with cloth or bandage it, and then put on socks.

    To nourish and moisturize the skin of the feet, it is recommended to use products containing components such as: vitamin A, lanolin, vitamin B5, vitamin E. This heals the skin, makes it more elastic and prevents damage.

    Prevention of crack formation

    In order to prevent cracking of the skin of the heel area, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

  • do not neglect the rules of personal hygiene;
  • get pedicures regularly;
  • promptly treat pathologies that may cause the problem;
  • include healthy foods containing vitamins A, E, B5 and others in your diet;
  • do not overload the feet;
  • choose comfortable shoes that fit, avoiding high heels and flat soles.
  • If you follow these simple rules, you can prevent the appearance of cracked heels. If the problem does make itself felt, you must immediately consult a doctor to identify the cause of the pathology and prescribe the most effective treatment. Paying attention to your health will help you avoid many troubles.

    Why do women's heels crack?

    Beautiful and well-groomed legs are the pride of any woman. To achieve such a result, you need to pay attention to all the components of a whole and healthy image. Soft and pink heels on your feet are one of these subtle but important components.

    Unfortunately, over time, the skin on the feet begins to become dry and crack on the heels and toes. And, probably, more than once you have asked the question “Why do your heels crack?”, because previously there was such delicate skin on your feet.

    Naturally, before starting treatment for the skin of the feet, it is necessary to determine the reasons why the skin on the heels is cracking.

  • If it’s summer, you often go to the beach, where you walk barefoot on sand and rocks, expose your feet to constant contact with sea water, wear sandals that are not very comfortable, then the reasons for the deterioration of the skin on your heels are quite understandable and do not require special intervention. After the beach season ends, everything should return to normal.
  • Avitaminosis. It happens that the body is critically short of vitamins. This factor can manifest itself in different ways, one of them is dryness and cracking of the skin of the heels. Usually the body lacks vitamins A and E; they are responsible for the normal functioning of the body.
  • There are no sebaceous glands or hairs on the inside of the foot, but there are a large number of sweat glands. But it happens that the sweat produced is not enough, and the skin begins to dry out and crack. This may occur due to decreased blood circulation and impaired nutrition of individual tissues.
  • Fungal diseases. If you visit public showers, swimming pools or other similar places, you can easily catch such an unpleasant disease.
  • After the skin becomes dry and begins to crack, if you do not start treating the problem, you can move on to the next condition - thick and dense horny layers on the feet. In more severe cases, dry and keratinized heels can also bleed, cause terrible pain and constant discomfort when putting on shoes.
  • If the reason why the skin on your heels is cracking turns out to be some kind of disease (vitaminosis, fungal infections, excess vitamin, etc.), then you need to start treating it. Once you are done with this, you will be able to see the results on your heels immediately. If you simply try to heal the cracks without solving the problem, then this unpleasant state will return to you again and again.
  • First of all, you will need to visit a dermatologist. If necessary, he will prescribe tests and special treatment for you. After your skin is free from fungal infections, if there were any, then you can proceed to the next steps.

    Next, you need to reorganize your nutrition plan. Add fruits and vegetables, berries and freshly squeezed juices to your daily menu. In no case should we forget that you need to drink 1.5-2 liters of water every day to avoid dry skin. Water not only moisturizes the skin, but also participates in the metabolism of the body as a whole. Do not forget that soups, broths, juices and teas are not included in this norm.

    In order to stop wondering why your heels dry and crack, you need to accustom yourself to visiting a specialist who will give you a professional pedicure once a month. Using a special machine, the master can easily remove the top rough and cracked layer of skin. A visit to a professional technician is especially important during the summer season.

    1. Your feet will be very grateful if you are not lazy to give them contrasting baths. This procedure is especially useful after a hard day at work. The principle is simple - fill two basins, one with hot water (37-40°), the other with cold (17-20°).
    2. Alternately lower your feet into one bath, then into another, you need to keep your feet in each for 2-3 minutes. This procedure helps improve blood circulation and relieve fatigue.
    3. Another effective method is soda-soap baths. Dissolve a tablespoon of baking soda and half a teaspoon of mineral soap in 2 liters of warm water. Keep your feet in this bath for 10 minutes, then wipe them with a soft towel and apply rich cream. After this, it is advisable to lie down until the cream is completely absorbed.

    A very effective remedy for cracked heels is potato decoction or baths with potato starch. You need to steam your feet in it before going to bed for 5-7 days.

    You can also combat dryness and cracks with baths that contain decoctions of various herbs - calendula, St. John's wort, thyme, linden blossom, chamomile and others. Extracts of oak bark and pine needles are also useful. The duration of such baths should not exceed 5-7 minutes; if the surface of the foot is particularly sweaty, three minutes will be sufficient.

    To prevent and treat dry and cracked skin on the feet, regular heel massages are a good idea. When taking a shower, it will be sufficient to wash your feet with soap and a washcloth, and then rub them with a pumice stone and a stiff foot brush. This improves blood circulation in the feet and throughout the body.

  • It will be useful after such a massage to do a couple of simple exercises for the feet.
  • Rolling from toes to heels.
  • Lifting onto your toes, lifting onto your heels.
  • We lift small objects from the floor with our toes.
  • We squeeze and unclench our toes.
  • We do each exercise only 8-10 times, which proves that there is no need to spend a large amount of time on massage and exercises.

    In order to never again ask the question “Why do your heels dry and crack?”, you must follow the above recommendations, as well as give up synthetic socks and tights, and stop wearing unnatural and uncomfortable shoes. The skin of the feet should not sweat excessively, it should constantly breathe, which can only be achieved by shoes made from natural materials.

    The heel is not the most sensitive part of the foot, but when a person hits it or steps on an object, he begins to understand that there are many nerve endings there that are carefully protected and are not felt when walking. It happens that when you step on your foot, the heel behaves strangely, it burns, it seems that a small electrical voltage is passing through - this is how numbness of the heel manifests itself. The feeling is unpleasant, indicating serious illness.

  • Tingling in the foot. It is felt in any position of the body, at rest or when putting pressure on the legs.
  • Feeling cold in the heel.
  • Pain in the heels when bending the foot, walking, running, cycling. Walking in heels becomes difficult, sometimes impossible.
  • Tingling.
  • Heel and foot cramps.
  • The manifestation of symptoms is insignificant, gradually increasing if caused by illness. If the cause is injury or infection, then the symptoms are vivid and rapidly developing. There may be one factor indicating numbness, sometimes several. The causes of numbness are varied, the consequences are unpleasant and irreversible.

    Reasons why your heel goes numb

    • Damage to the nerve root as it exits the spine. Occur due to hernias, tumors, diseases affecting the bone tissue of the spine, when discs are displaced.
    • Damage to the medial or lateral plantar nerve. When they are close to the bone that forms the heel. With a strong impact, jump, constant load on the heel (wearing heels, uncomfortable shoes, incorrect gait), the nerves are affected or pinched, and the sensitivity of the part of the leg for which they are responsible is lost.
    • Ingestion of a foreign body, such as a splinter. It causes inflammatory processes, manifested in the form of pain and a hot surface of the heel. There is death of some tissue due to the lesion and numbness.
    • Foot paresis is a disease the causes of which lie in damage to certain parts of the brain. It manifests itself as a weakening of the muscles, leading to difficulties in bending the foot and lifting its front part up. The load on the heel increases and causes loss of sensitivity.
    • A heel spur is a growth on the heel bone that causes incredible pain when walking. The spur affects the tissues and nerves of the foot so much that it causes numbness in the heel.
    • These are the main reasons for heel numbness. But they are enough to sound the alarm and begin treatment.

      Why is heel numbness dangerous?

      It’s not that the heel goes numb that’s dangerous, it’s the diseases that cause it that are dangerous. Loss of sensitivity is fraught with:

    • damage to the tissues of the foot due to the fact that the pain is not felt or is felt much weaker, you may not calculate the force of the impact when jumping, running, or bumping into a sharp object;
    • deterioration of gait, inability to bend the foot or raise it to the required height;
    • inflammatory processes spreading to other tissues, dead skin and muscles are an ideal place for the proliferation of pathogens.
    • The danger comes from untreated diseases that cause heel numbness:

    • Damage to the nerves and their pinching between the spinal discs can cause disability. Depends on which nerve is affected and by how much.

    The consequences of diseases that cause numbness in the foot are dangerous to health and life. It is important to undergo a full examination at the first unpleasant symptoms and get rid of the root cause and symptoms of heel numbness.

    To prevent your heels from going numb, you need to keep your feet and your entire body in a healthy state, not expose them to negative external factors, and take care of your health. Let's look at the main ways to avoid numbness:

  • if a person has a sedentary job, it is necessary to change the position of the body and legs from time to time so as not to cause stagnation of blood in them, swelling, which is fraught with the death of tissues and the occurrence of infection in them. It is best to take breaks between work and walk a little, preferably in the fresh air, or do exercises. If this is not possible, then you can exercise your feet while sitting straight at the table, performing any available movements;
  • engage in sports that do not put too much stress on the feet or injure them;
  • do not expose yourself to stress and anxiety, they disrupt the functioning of the heart and other organs that are responsible for metabolic processes, supplying tissues with nutrients and oxygen;
  • eat right, include the required amount of vitamins and minerals in your diet, avoid junk food and alcoholic beverages;
  • stop smoking, avoid places where it happens. Tobacco smoke affects blood vessels, destroys their walls, and causes spasms;
  • visit a massage therapist periodically. During the massage, blood flow improves, all muscles and tissues are involved in the work - this is beneficial for the whole body, not just the legs;
  • use special foot care products: scrubs that cleanse the skin and exfoliate its keratinized particles; creams - to soften, improve metabolism, moisturize;
  • If any bacterial or fungal infections occur, you should consult a doctor for treatment. At the same time, it is important to follow all its instructions and monitor foot hygiene;
  • Shoes play a significant role. It is necessary to select it very carefully so that it matches the size of the foot, does not squeeze it and, conversely, does not dangle. Shoes should have small heels with good instep support, which performs a shock-absorbing function. It is important that it is made of genuine leather or fabric - this will allow your skin to breathe. In addition, too rough artificial material causes injury to the foot and calluses;
  • In case of cuts or bruises, you need to properly treat the damaged area. If the wound is open, it is necessary to rinse and lubricate it with an antiseptic: peroxide, brilliant green, iodine. If the bruise is severe, you should apply a compress, for example, from grated potatoes, to your leg and go to the hospital as soon as possible. There they will conduct a diagnosis to determine if there is a fracture or dislocation.
  • Avoiding a disease is much easier and less expensive (in terms of money, time and nerves) than treating it. This is important to remember for everyone who wants to live and enjoy life.

    Are your heels cracking? We'll tell you how to treat - folk remedies.

    If you discover such an unpleasant phenomenon as cracked heels, the first thing you should do is find out the cause of their occurrence. After all, cracks in the skin of the feet are not just a cosmetic defect. They can serve as a signal of serious disorders in the body.

    Main causes and treatment

    The main reasons for their occurrence may be:

  • disorders of the endocrine system (for example, diabetes mellitus );
  • fungal diseases of the skin of the feet;
  • metabolic disorders in the body;
  • wearing uncomfortable or ill-fitting shoes ;
  • errors in nutrition and vitamin deficiency;
  • lack or, conversely, too frequent and aggressive foot skin care.

The skin of the heels is designed to withstand the stress of walking and therefore has a special structure. According to its properties, it should be quite dense, but at the same time elastic.

As a result of improper care or the mentioned diseases, the skin can become dry and rough, after which cracks appear. They spoil the appearance, cause pain when walking, and most importantly, serve as an open gate for infection to enter the body .

If your health is not satisfactory , you should analyze your diet - whether your diet is varied enough and whether your body receives enough fats and vitamins. It is important to take into account that with vitamin deficiency, the entire skin of the body and mucous membranes will suffer, and not just the heels.

The next step is to inspect your shoes. It should be comfortable, clean and dry. Socks and shoes made of synthetic materials contribute to the appearance of cracks. In summer, additional provoking factors appear - in open shoes, the skin suffers more from dryness. Also, due to uncomfortable shoes, blood circulation in the legs is impaired and swelling appears.

Next, you need to pay attention to your foot care. To prevent drying and roughening of the skin, you need to exfoliate dead skin weekly. Use mild soap to wash your feet daily. After water treatments, it is good to do an active foot massage with a rich cream.

But an excess of care, especially frequent rough peeling of the skin of the heels will lead to the opposite effect . In such cases, the skin of the feet simply does not have time to recover between procedures and begins to become rougher even faster - this is how it reacts to injury. Therefore, measure is very important here.

In some cases, it is enough to eliminate the cause of the cracks for them to disappear. If this does not happen, you should start treatment with home remedies, special ointments, or go to a beauty salon .

Professional skin care – treatment of cracked heels.

If you want to trust professionals, beauty salons and cosmetology centers now offer medical hardware pedicure services.

To completely get your heels in order, you will need at least 2-3 sessions . The specialist will assess the condition of your skin, determine how many layers can be removed and carefully treat the cracks with special grinding attachments. This procedure is bloodless, safe and painless. After it, the master will give you a massage with a special ointment with healing properties and select home care for you.

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For care, you can also use special medications sold in pharmacies. Usually these are vaseline-based ointments containing extracts of medicinal plants (calendula, chamomile, plantain, etc.)

Folk remedies to help get rid of cracks

effective procedures at home to help cope with this problem. Here are some of the most effective recipes:

  1. honey compresses. Apply a small amount of honey to a cotton cloth, apply it to the cracks, secure with a bandage and leave overnight. In the morning, remove the compress, wash your feet with warm water;
  2. bath with starch. Dilute a tablespoon of starch in one liter of warm water. The bath should be done 30 minutes before bedtime for two weeks;
  3. compresses made from warm vegetable oil. Soak cotton socks in heated oil, put them on and cover the top with plastic wrap. Keep the compress for 4 hours, repeat once a week;
  4. contrast baths or showers. The exposure time to hot water should be 2 minutes, cold water - about 10 seconds, the duration of the procedure itself is 10-15 minutes;
  5. mixture of herbs. Take equal parts and chop celandine, mint, sage, chamomile, and nettle. Pour a pinch of the resulting powder into socks and walk in them all day. At night, be sure to wash off and lubricate your feet with a nourishing cream;
  6. paraffin-based compresses. Mix paraffin, salicylic acid and natural beeswax in equal doses. Warm up and apply this mixture to the heels and secure with a bandage. After a few hours, steam your feet (along with the bandage) in a soap-soda solution and treat your feet with pumice;
  7. honey cakes. Make a mixture of two spoons of wheat flour and one spoon of honey, divide the resulting mass into two parts and form into flat cakes. Place them on the steamed heels, secure with film and bandage, and put on socks on top. Repeat the procedure daily for a week.
  8. These simple methods can significantly improve the condition of the skin on your heels and achieve success in treating cracks. You just need to remember that care, whether professional or home, must be systematic.

    Video about the fight against cracked heels

    What to do if your heels are very dry, cracking and peeling: the main reasons and important tips

    What to do to prevent cracked heels!

    Every woman strives for the ideal, and legs are no exception. After all, everyone wants to try on new sandals with an open back and, in addition to a fashionable pedicure, show off their well-groomed pink heels. But what to do if this part of the foot dries out, peels, and the skin cracks? Let's figure out how to solve this problem.

    Why do heels crack: the main reasons

    One of the main reasons that lead to cracked heels is a lack of skin care on the feet. Initially, small notches appear, which over time develop into deep crack grooves. But the lack of integrity of the skin on the heel is not always a lack of care; in some cases, such a problem will appear, perhaps due to:

    Fungal infections. The spores of the microorganism grow deep into the skin, leading to its destruction, this causes the formation of cracks.

    Diabetes mellitus. With this pathology, any cuts, wounds, etc. heal with great difficulty, so cracked heels are a common “companion” of diabetics.

    Lack of vitamin A. In the absence of this vitamin in the required quantities on the skin, not only on the feet, dry skin occurs.

    Wrong shoes. Wearing uncomfortable, tight shoes leads to microtraumas of the heel, corns and cracks appear.

    Failures in the functioning of the thyroid gland, which lead to problems in the functioning of the fatty and sweat glands, leading to cracked heels.

    Excess weight. Since excess body weight puts a lot of stress on the feet, this leads to cracking of the heels.

    The first cracks in the heels are small, and by taking the necessary steps in treatment, you can get rid of the problem quite quickly, but if you do not take appropriate measures, the situation will worsen, dust and dirt will get into the wounds, which will lead to deepening of the cracks, discomfort and pain when walking.

    Cracked heels due to diabetes

    As mentioned above, people with diabetes almost always have cracks in their heels, since it is very difficult to get rid of this unpleasant symptom. The fact is that in the blood of a diabetic patient there is an increased level of glucose and because of this, the healing and regeneration process is much more difficult than in a healthy person.

    If you have a pathology such as diabetes, the following factors can lead to the appearance of cracks in your legs:

    dehydration, when the body does not receive enough moisture;

    increased sugar levels, since this condition is considered favorable for the proliferation of microorganisms;

    dysfunction of the nervous system, causing constant dryness of the skin and heels.

    What to do if the cause of cracked heels is a fungus?

    Cracked heels are not a symptom of a fungal infection, so if you “catch” a fungus, the cracks can become a concomitant disease. How to detect the presence of mycosis on the legs? Let's look at its symptoms:

    the skin between the fingers loses its natural appearance;

    the lesion may be visible on the nails and be accompanied by an unpleasant odor;

    there is coarsening of the skin of the foot;

    the stratum corneum thickens;

    an allergic reaction is possible;

    presence of itching and discomfort.

    Initially, a person infected with a fungus notices subtle peeling and microcracks in the interdigital area. Afterwards, without appropriate therapy, the fungus “makes its way” further, affecting large areas of the foot.

    Depending on the type of fungus, its development follows:

    With the intertriginous form, which is the most common, there is slight irritation, redness, peeling, and eventually cracking of the skin.

    If a dyshidrotic form of the fungus is present, then water bubbles will be characteristic, erosions that can become infected when opened. With this form, relapses are quite common.

    The squamous form has one symptom in the form of peeling skin.

    As the squamous-hyperkeratic form progresses, calluses appear in areas of peeling, and the skin of the foot turns purple.

    In case of fungal infection, treatment is carried out by a dermatologist. If mycosis parasitizes only on the skin of the foot, then local antimycotics are prescribed. For complex lesions of the foot and nails, general medications are used.

    What to do if your heels crack during pregnancy?

    Although pregnancy is a special condition, during pregnancy all the reasons described above can cause cracked heels to appear. Quite often, under the influence of a hormonal surge, pregnant women are very worried and worried about cracked heels. And everything is quite simple, the main reason for the appearance of cracks in an interesting situation is iron deficiency in the body. It’s not without reason that doctors often prescribe iron supplements and other vitamins to pregnant women.

    To avoid the problem of cracked heels, a pregnant woman needs to reconsider her diet and eat more of the following:

    greens of different types;

    other foods rich in iron.

    Other pathologies can also cause cracks in the heels of a pregnant woman, so it is necessary to visit an antenatal clinic and take all the necessary tests on time.

    The skin on the fingers and heels cracks until it bleeds

    If the skin on the heels cracks until it bleeds, then you need to visit a podiatrist. Initially, he will direct a scraping to rule out a fungal infection. If it is present, antifungal treatment will be prescribed, and the patient will be referred to a dermatologist.

    If mycosis is excluded, the patient will be sent for testing:

    blood sugar levels;

    Perhaps the cause of deep cracking is vitamin deficiency or wearing uncomfortable shoes, then it will be much easier to deal with the problem. For local treatment of severe cracks in the absence of purulent inflammation, it is recommended to use grease ointment. The course of its use is 10 days. Also pay attention to the traditional treatment recipes and traditional medicine tips described below.

    Heels crack and dry: what to do at home?

    To help yourself at home, firstly, you need to properly care for your heels, and secondly, if there is a pathology that provokes the appearance of cracks, treat the root cause.

    At home it is recommended:

    make contrast baths;

    baths of soap and soda to soften the skin;

    use Vaseline-based ointments;

    antibiotic ointments (as prescribed by a doctor);

    Please note that if there is inflammation in the cracks (redness, suppuration), you need to seek help from a specialist.

    Remedies for cracked heels

    To combat cracked feet, you can use the following traditional medicine:

    for internal use, vitamins for vitamin deficiency. Particular attention should be paid to preparations with a high content of iron, vitamin E, carotene;

    for external use medical and cosmetic creams and ointments.

    Traditional medicine suggests using the following as remedies for cracked heels:

    An overview of medical (cosmetic) products and traditional treatment recipes can be found below.

    The best ointments for cracked heels

    We suggest making ointments for cracks with your own hands. Such remedies will help get rid of the problem for a long time.

    To prepare it, prepare:

    100 g – olive oil;

    1 tbsp – beeswax;

    1 tsp – glycerin;

    1 tsp – sea buckthorn oil.

    Heat olive oil to 40 degrees. Dissolve the wax in it and add the remaining ingredients. Stir until smooth, transfer to a small container and store in the refrigerator. This ointment is used after steaming and removing the stratum corneum, at night.

    Prepare the ingredients for cooking:

    50 ml – badger fat;

    1 tsp – calendula (crushed flowers);

    1 tsp – chopped celandine herb.

    Melt the badger fat in a steam bath. Cover the herbs with boiling water and leave for 1 minute to steam. Place the swollen mass in melted fat and cook for 30 minutes. Do not allow the mixture to boil. Store the resulting ointment in the refrigerator and use overnight.

    How to cure cracked heels with cream: product ratings

    Let's look at creams that help heal cracked heels:

    moisturizing and nourishing products;

    Treatments and baths at home for cracked heels

    To combat cracked heels, traditional medicine has the following recipes:

    Bath with lemon juice and salt. Add 1 tablespoon each of lemon juice and sea salt to 3 liters of hot water. Keep your feet in this water for 20 minutes, after which you can lubricate them with a nourishing pharmacy or homemade cream.

    Herbal decoction. Pour 3 tablespoons of calendula flowers and nettle leaves into a container. Pour all 3 liters of boiling water and let it boil. When the broth has cooled to an acceptable temperature, lower your feet into it and hold for 20 minutes. Finally, apply a rich cream to dry heels. Do such procedures 3 times a week.

    Application of oils. If the cause of dry heels is increased dryness of the skin, then coconut or sesame oil will help. It should be used regularly in the evening before bed.

    Onion compress. Blend two small onions with a blender, add 1 tablespoon each of honey and vegetable oil. Bring the mixture to a homogeneous consistency. Make a tampon from gauze or a bandage, apply the mixture to it and apply it to the heels, wrap it with cling film on top and put on a sock. Keep this compress for 40–60 minutes, then wash off with warm water.

    How to care for your heels if they are cracking?

    For rough heels that crack over time, you need to have an abrasive heel file, pumice stone and a good loofah in your arsenal.

    Initially, treat the heel with a heel file “dry” without steaming. All the skin may not be removed the first time, so the procedure can be carried out 2-3 days in a row. If the “dry” procedure is too painful, then remove the stratum corneum by first steaming it with a pumice stone.

    Afterwards, wash your feet with a shower using a washcloth and hygiene products. Finally, generously lubricate the treated areas with a nourishing cream containing vitamins A or F. After such procedures, it is necessary to discard Vaseline, as it dries the skin, thereby aggravating the problem.

    Dry and cracked heels: what is the body missing?

    When there is a lack of vitamin A in the body, the heels are the first to suffer. After all, it is retinol that ensures the health and beauty of the skin. Vitamin A is called fat-soluble, since it regulates the synthesis of protein compounds in the human body, and also takes an active part in the regeneration of new cells and strengthens their subcellular membranes. In the absence of retinol in the body in sufficient quantities, the epidermis dries out and loses its elasticity.

    A lack of vitamin A can be blamed on:

    minimal consumption of products containing retinol. This group includes: eggs, carrots, liver, etc.;

    lack of vitamin E, because of this, retinol is not absorbed in the volume in which it enters the body;

    certain pathologies lead to vitamin A deficiency (gastritis, dermatitis, kidney disease, diabetes, vitamin deficiency);

    problems with the endocrine system, this group should include natural changes that occur during pregnancy, puberty, and menopause.

    What to do to prevent cracked heels: preventive measures

    Prevention of cracked heels is as follows:

    Removing the stratum corneum from the heels twice a week.

    At night, apply moisturizer to your heels.

    Eat foods rich in vitamin A.

    If you visit public places (swimming pool, sauna), use an antifungal agent for 2–5 days.

    Proper care of your heels will help avoid problems such as cracks.

    Categories : Prevention

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