Have you often encountered such a problem as cracked heels? The causes and treatment (at home inclusive) of this phenomenon are the first points that you need to familiarize yourself with in order to get on the path to recovery. In this publication, we will examine in detail the symptomatology of the problem, identify all its causes and get acquainted with detailed instructions and treatment recommendations. Here we will discuss all forethought measures.
Clarification of circumstances
Cracks in the heels are a common problem, resulting in constant pain and discomfort. This painful phenomenon is classified as dermatitis (skin disease). Mostly women suffer from this problem, because they have to walk every day in high heels and platforms, proudly demonstrating their beauty and grace in front of a strong floor.
Men are no exception. Hard workers and hard workers know this like no other. Cracks in the heels can occur for various reasons, because we all have to make any sacrifices in everyday life. First of all, this is a job where we leave most of our strength. Next, we pay attention to our family or friends — we go somewhere, meet with someone, stay somewhere, and so on. Thoughts slip through my head that it’s time to relax already, lounging in front of the TV at home, but we sacrifice ourselves further.
The difficulties that we need to overcome are not only painful, but also aesthetic. The bulk of people accept the position that cracks in the skin of the heels occur exclusively in adulthood and old age, but this is not at all the case. Cracks in the heels can occur due to existing diseases that accompany this. People with diabetes, anemia and hypovitaminosis are more likely to develop pathologies.
The degree of skin damage on the heels can reach a state in which we simply can’t put on our shoes and go outside. Cracks in the heels occur gradually, so many people do not attach much importance at the initial stage of the development of the problem. Any unnatural behavior of the skin with a visible consequence is already a symptom. First, hard skin forms on the heels, which over time can begin to peel off and form many small incisions. Cracks in the heels are barely noticeable at first, but then they can thicken, both in depth and in breadth. Deep cracks can become inflamed, and then completely become infected. In such a situation, a person hardly overcomes every step, experiencing sharp and cutting pain in the heels.
The main prerequisites for the appearance of cracks on the surface of the heels
Every day you are in constant motion. All your physical mass puts pressure on your heels while walking. The skin on the heels must withstand all these loads, so it must be healthy, that is, elastic, soft and thick. For various reasons, these properties can lose their strength, as a result of which we suffer from cracks in the heels. Such a skin disease often appears due to improper shoes and physical stress in everyday life. When you wear the wrong size shoes, the skin cells on your feet often feel uncomfortable. Each step you take leads to the fact that they change their shape - permanently contracting and stretching. In this case, the cells begin to grow at an increased rate so that the foot area increases and an imitation of the correct load distribution along its edges occurs.
If the stratum corneum becomes denser, then it loses its elasticity, which when walking leads to deformation and destruction of epidermal cells. This phenomenon is called hyperkeratosis, which is why deep cracks appear on the heels. Excessive physical exertion and overwork also entail swelling of the legs and impaired blood circulation, so the skin on the heels is deformed.
Areas of dry skin are most often formed in the summer, however, the problem can remind of itself in other seasons. In summer, you wear open shoes, and sometimes even walk barefoot on the ground and hot sand. Under such conditions, the skin dries quickly and loses elasticity. When the skin comes into contact with adverse areas of the environment, problems arise - a keratinized layer appears on the heels and the surface of the skin begins to crack. Cracked heel skin can occur due to a lack of vitamins, or an excess of them. In rare cases, the cause of a cracked heel can be an incorrect metabolism.
The causes of cracking are also malnutrition. In winter and spring, the body has the greatest risk of not getting enough vitamins A, E and F, which are responsible for healthy skin conditions.
The most serious causes of cracked heels are fungal diseases and gastrointestinal problems. In the presence of such pathologies, one cannot self-medicate. You should visit a dermatological clinic where you will find specialized treatment.
Why do cracks appear on the heels? Reasons and treatment
So, the reasons are:
- Open shoes or lack thereof in the warm season.
- Deficiency or excess of vitamins (A, E, F) in the body.
- Wrong, tight shoes.
- Fungal diseases, foot mycosis.
- Impaired metabolism.
- Diabetes mellitus, anemia, hypovitaminosis, dermatitis.
- Physical overwork.
- Disruption of the endocrine system.
- Gastrointestinal problems.
In most cases, cracks in the heels appear due to improper functioning of the immune system, metabolism and functional failure of the endocrine system. Therefore, the treatment of cracks should begin with finding and eliminating the causes of their appearance. In order to determine the nature and cause of the complication, you should go to the hospital to see a dermatologist and undergo a series of diagnostic measures.
What tests should be taken? The following laboratory tests are required to start treating cracked heels:
- Blood test (diagnosis for anemia).
- Biochemical study of blood (diagnosis of diabetes).
- Glucose tolerance test (diagnosis of the endocrine system).
- Ultrasound of the vessels of the lower extremities (diagnosis of arthritis, arthrosis, etc.).
- Microscopy of the tissues of the source of the lesion (study of the affected areas under a microscope).
First aid: what to do?
How to treat cracked heels? If you are sure that the cause is not related to diseases of the endocrine system, internal organs, and other previously mentioned pathologies, then home self-medication can help you. There are many tips on how to fix cracked heels at home.
Home treatment. Types of compresses
Treatment of cracked heels at home is mainly based on compresses. Here are the most effective and popular:
Honey-cabbage compress (done at night):
- Squeeze the cabbage leaf so that the juice begins to stand out.
- Steam your feet in hot water with baking soda (10-15 grams of soda).
- Pour the cabbage leaf with honey, and then sprinkle with flour. Wait until the flour is completely absorbed into the honey.
- Apply the cabbage leaf to the affected area of the skin and fix it all with a bandage.
- After waking up, remove the cabbage leaf and wash the foot. Clean coarsened skin with pumice.
- Moisturize your feet with some cream.
How to treat heel cracks with paraffin? Paraffin is used to eliminate dry and dead skin. Therefore, for the treatment of cracks in the heels, it is also suitable. How to use paraffin?
- Preheat (you can use the microwave or in a water bath).
- Add coconut oil (15-20 ml) to paraffin to enhance the medicinal effect.
- Apply the resulting warm mixture to the affected area for 5 minutes. Then put on your socks.
- Remain in socks until awakening.
- Repeat this operation every day and after a couple of weeks the skin will become smooth, healthy and supple.
Onion compress
To prepare a compress, one peeled onion is required, which should be crushed to gruel. The resulting consistency must be applied to the feet and wrapped with compression paper or polyethylene. Wear warm socks from above until the next morning. After waking up, remove the paper and rinse the texture with warm water. After all, you should smear your heels with a nourishing healing cream. The procedure can be repeated every three days.
Interior Pork Fat Compress
Before going to bed, apply fat on the heels in several layers. After thoroughly lubricating, wrap the foot in polyethylene and put on cotton socks. Go to bed in the same position. In the morning, rinse off the fat under warm water, apply the cream. The procedure must be repeated for two to three weeks. Then take a break of one month and repeat all the above recommendations. Such a procedure can be carried out until a positive result is visible.
Compress based on apples and milk
Take one more or two medium apples, cut them into small cubes. Next, boil the apples in milk (250-300 ml) until gruel is formed. After preparing the medicinal thick, wait for it to cool - 15-20 minutes. After that, you should apply a consistency on the heels with a thick layer and wrap the foot with a gauze bandage (or linen cloth). After half an hour, remove the compress and rinse under running water. If desired, you can apply a cream for the skin. The procedure can be repeated every day.
Cracks in the skin of the heels. How to get rid?
Treatment of cracked heels at home involves the preparation of various ointments, creams and compresses. We’ll talk about this all now. Popular folk recipes:
- Cream for the feet from cracks on the heels of egg yolk. The recipe is very simple. You will need only one yolk, 15 ml of vegetable oil and 5 ml of vinegar. All these three components should be mixed well. And basically done! Before applying the cream, you must first take a foot bath. Then you can use the yolk cream. Apply the product on the affected areas and wrap the legs with a plastic bag and put on socks to give the treatment a more convincing effect. The procedure is best done before bedtime. In the morning, wash off the remnants of the ointment and clean the heel with a pumice stone. You will need 1-2 days to achieve the desired result.
- Tetracycline ointment with apple cider vinegar. This remedy for cracking on the heels also copes well with corns and calluses. First you need to steam your feet in a soda bath, and then thoroughly clean the heels with a pumice stone. After these simple procedures, apply the ointment. Wrap your feet in a plastic bag and put on your socks. The next day, change the bandage by soaking it in apple cider vinegar, then hide your legs back in cellophane and socks. After each such session, the rough skin is well removed. Often you should not use this method, because it is harmful. Tetracycline ointment with apple cider vinegar is allowed to be applied to the heels no more than 2 times a month. It will be quite enough for the skin to recover.
- Cream for cracks on the heels onion base. The recipe does not require mediocrity, you will need 200 ml of sunflower oil, preferably unrefined, one medium-sized onion and beeswax. What do we have to do? Heat the oil in a frying pan and add finely chopped onions, all this is fried until the onions are ready. After all these steps, beeswax should be added to the hot oil. All this is thoroughly mixed and sent to the refrigerator. Every time you go out after a shower or bath - apply a cream from cracks on the heels of the onion base. Beautiful heels are provided to you!
Cream "Healer": reviews
Cream "Healer" - a popular tool for the treatment of cracks in the heels, corns and corns. As they say, how many people, so many opinions. There are many comments in favor and in contrast to the drug. Therefore, everyone decides for himself everything, whether to buy or not, to use or throw away.
Cream "Healer" from cracks in the skin of the heels. Benefit Reviews
- It perfectly moisturizes and softens rough skin on the heels.
- Heals wounds.
- Quickly and effectively relieves fatigue.
- It heals not only cracks in the heels, but also corns and corns.
- Nice smell.
Cream "Healer". Deficiency Reviews
- A small tube.
- Bad smell.
- Doubtfully “natural” composition.
- It is absorbed into the skin for a long time.
- High price.
These are the most basic pros and cons of the Lekar cream. As you can see, the smell is acceptable for someone, but not for someone, so this item is purely individual. The smell of the drug can be both a virtue and a disadvantage for you.
Preventative measures
In order for your heels to be healthy, soft and elastic, adhere to certain rules for the care of them. They are easy to remember and implement:
- Wear only comfortable shoes. Carefully choose the size, never buy shoes with the hope that it is carried.
- After a hard day's work, when the legs “ache” do moisturizing baths.
- Get a moisturizing foot cream that you can apply before bedtime every day. So your heels will remain forever young.
- Create a diet rich in vitamins A, E, and F.
Which doctor should I go to?
If cracks occur on the surface of the heels, you should contact a dermatologist or cosmetologist. In rare cases, an examination by a physician may be necessary to identify diseases of the internal organs. After a thorough examination and identification of the primary problems of the complication, it will become known which doctor to undergo further examination. If necessary, you need to visit an endocrinologist, gastroenterologist or nutritionist.