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Summer has come, and with it it is time for flip-flops, sandals and flip-flops. Unfortunately, if we did not get interested in proper foot care during the winter, we may have an unpleasant surprise. We are talking about cracking skin on the heels – one of the most common foot ailments, which, if left untreated, can be dangerous to your health. Find out how to restore skin smoothness with proven methods.
Why do heels crack?
Although it may not seem obvious to everyone, the skin is the largest human organ. Even though it may appear homogeneous, it is in fact a specialized and complex mechanism. We cannot leave it alone, especially in high-risk places, such as those exposed to high loads on the feet.
Made up of nearly 60 specialized layers, the skin on the heels is almost twice as thick as on other parts of the body. Because the epidermis grows faster than it is able to exfoliate naturally, without additional peeling and care, it can start to keratinize and, consequently, crack. This is mainly because the heels, deprived of moisture, lose their elasticity.
A frequent cause of cracks is also improper, tight shoes, overweight and inadequate diet, poor in vitamin A. Contrary to appearances, it is not only an aesthetic problem or a trivial difficulty in walking.
Cracked heels – serious neglect
It sometimes happens that cracked heels are not so much the result of improper care as of a genetic predisposition. The ailment may then intensify, and the cracks may also affect the dermis. As bacteria and viruses enter the body through the injured epidermis, it is very easy to contract an infection. Of course, in this case, it will not be possible without the help of a specialist. When the heels start to bleed, we should go to a dermatologist and prepare for long-term treatment.
The treatment of this ailment is not complicated, but requires diligence. Before a doctor can prescribe a specific treatment, he or she must carefully inspect the feet and ask about any chronic diseases. Diabetes mellitus is particularly vulnerable to rupture. Diabetics have extremely sensitive skin on their feet and often due to impaired circulation and the blood vessels themselves, they do not feel pain, which can lead to chronic complications, e.g. in the form of diabetic foot syndrome.
Malnutrition or a poorly varied diet and insufficient fluid intake also affect the condition of the skin. It becomes very dry and susceptible to any damage. In the case of cracked heels, it is worth consulting a podiatrist at the beginning, who will advise you on what to do and how to fight the ailment.
Cracked heels – urea and vitamin A.
An unexpected ally – urea – can help us to care for the feet and get rid of cracks on the heels. Although it is used as a fertilizer and is present in the urine as a by-substance of protein metabolism, it perfectly softens the skin and regulates the process of epidermal keratosis.
It is true that urea does not have very good associations, but in fact this substance is colorless and odorless crystals that dissolve in water and alcohol. In cosmetology (mainly creams) it has been used for over 40 years, often in the composition of products using synonymous names, e.g. carbonyldiamide.
Urea as one of the components of the NMF (Natural Moisturizing Factor), i.e. the natural moisturizing factor of the skin, perfectly hydrates the horny layers of the epidermis. The substance obtained in the laboratory is hypoallergenic and, due to its hygroscopic effect, it retains water. In chemistry, such preparations are called humectants, and for our heels it means that a little urea added to the cream and rubbed into the heels, loosens the skin cells and allows water to penetrate into the tissue.
At Medonet Market you will find foot cream with urea and shea butter and cream with urea 35% for excessive drying and keratosis of the skin.
One of the earliest discovered vitamins, vitamin A, is as effective as urea. for the integrity of the cell membrane, it affects the proper functioning of epithelial tissue cells, regulates its growth and maintains the proper condition of the skin, hair and nails.
Pure vitamin A works best for cracked heels, which you can buy in any pharmacy in drops for about PLN 4. Before going to bed, after washing your feet and rubbing your heels with a special grater, gently massage the vitamin drops, then apply a greasy cream to your feet and put on cotton socks. An activity repeated regularly brings visible results after about a week.
Cracked heels – proven home remedies
If we cannot afford frequent visits to a beautician or we simply do not have time for it, a few proven home remedies will help us fight for smooth heels. Here they are:
- Soak your feet in warm water with the addition of table salt (you can also add a little soap and a tablespoon of olive oil). The bath should last about 20 minutes. Then remove calluses with a grater or pumice stone. The grater’s advantage is the fact that it is easier to keep clean, and the pumice stone quickly becomes a habitat for fungi. Finally, brush your feet with glycerin cream and put on cotton socks. This method can be modified by dissolving gray soap and a glass of powdered milk in water.
- Pour about two liters of boiling water in a bowl of a portion of flaxseed purchased from a pharmacy. When the infusion has cooled down, soak your feet in it for about 20 minutes. Do not rinse your feet, dry the remains of the infusion with a towel. Flax seeds are very oily, the mucus produced after infusing them with boiling water increases the skin’s moisture content, softens it and makes it more elastic.
In case of a recurring problem, they can also be helpful herbal infusions for soaking the feet. We prepare infusions from the following ingredients, easily available in herbal shops:
- yarrow herb, birch leaf, calendula basket – anti-inflammatory effect
- fenugreek seeds – softening effect
- melilot herb and comfrey root – contain allantoin with a soothing and healing effect
- plantain leaves and flax seeds – contain soothing mucus substances
Herbs can be combined in any composition, e.g. 2 tablespoons of linseed, 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds, 2 tablespoons of comfrey. For a nice scent, you can add mint leaves or essential oil.
First of all, remember that your feet need constant care, so each treatment should be repeated regularly throughout the year.