What to Do When You Have Cracked Heels

Everyone wants to have attractive looking feet, but more than that, we should aim to have healthy feet since we use them quite a lot.

One of the common problems that our feet could experience is cracked heels or heel fissures. It can be painful and unattractive. If this condition is left unattended, the cracked areas can get infected.

What Causes Cracked Heels?

Individuals who are on their feet for long periods tend to get a build-up of callused areas on their heels, and these split to create fissures. For others, the skin of their feet have become dry because they don’t allot time for foot care or they just happen to have naturally dry skin. With regular walking, the dry areas will eventually split open.

There are a lot of reasons for cracked heels.

Many people like to walk barefoot and as a result, the feet toughen up, become callused, and develop cracks.

Some individuals have to stand on hard floors for a long time because of the nature of their work, resulting in cracked heels as well.

Individuals who are overweight often suffer from this problem.

Not drinking enough fluids or not staying hydrated makes the skin dry.

When walking, some individuals put more pressure on their heels, which causes them to crack.

People suffering from peripheral vascular disease do not have a good blood supply to their feet, which leads to the cracking of the skin.

Simple factors like changes in the weather can be another culprit and so can some skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema.

There are also some medications that individuals take that contribute to the problem.

How to Treat Cracked Heels

The best treatment is prevention by giving your feet some tender loving care. However, if the problem has already occurred, it is always good to know how to address it properly:

• Get a pedicure. It will definitely help, as a pedicurist often uses a pumice stone to reduce the thickness that has built up on the heels
• Wear good-fitting and comfortable shoes
• Apply a moisturiser that is specifically made for the feet. This will help treat or prevent the problem

If the cracks have become deep and are bleeding, it is a wise move to go to a Podiatrist. This specialist will be able to assess the cause of the problem and give advice as to the best possible treatments for cracked heels and how you to prevent the condition from recurring.