Cracked heels remedies and treatment
Overview
Broken heels are a common problem in the feet. One
study found that 20 percent of adults in the United States have cracked skin on
their feet. It can occur in both adults and children, and it appears to affect
women more often than men.
For most people, a broken heel is not so bad. It
can cause discomfort when walking barefoot. In some cases, cracks in the heels
may be very deep and cause pain. Read on to find out about the best home
remedies for treating and preventing heel spurs.
Home treatment for cracked heels
1. Heel cream
or thick moisturizers
The first line of treatment for cracked heels is
heel balm. These oils contain ingredients for moisturizing, moisturizing and
exfoliating dead skin. Note the following ingredients:
• urea (Flekitol heel balm)
• salicylic acid (Kerasal)
• alpha-hydroxy acids (Amlactin)
• saccharide source
You can find these heel balms at over-the-counter
pharmacies or online.
Tips for treating cracked heels
• apply heel balm in the morning to increase skin
elasticity before the start of the day
• Lubricate the heel two to three times a day
• Wear shoes that protect your heel
Some heel balms can cause minor biting or
irritation. That is normal. Talk to your doctor if fat still bothers you or
causes a severe reaction. Severe conditions of cracked heels may require a
physician balm or steroid cream to reduce inflammation and relieve itching.
2. Immerse and remove your feet
The skin around the cracked heels is usually
thicker and wetter than the rest of the skin. This skin is usually sore when
you apply pressure. Dipping and wetting your feet can help. Here are some tips.
Soaking the feet:
• Keep your feet in warm soapy water for 20
minutes.
• To remove hard and thick skin, use loofah, foot
scrub or peach stone.
• Slightly dry your feet.
• Apply heel oil or strong lubricants to the
affected area.
• Apply Vaseline to the feet to retain moisture.
Wear socks so you don't spread the oil around you.
Avoid scratching your feet when dry. This
increases the risk of skin damage.
You can also try soft heel sleeves. They have the
same effect on dipping the feet. The sleeves are like socks containing healing
oils and vitamins that help to treat dry skin. You can find them on Amazon here.
3. Liquid bandage
You can also apply a liquid bandage to the cracks
to seal the wound and prevent further infections or cracks. This product comes
in the form of a spray, which means you can pass the day without worrying that
the bandage will disappear. A liquid bandage is a good way to treat deep
fractured heels that can bleed.
Apply a liquid bandage on clean, dry skin. As the
cracks heal, the dressing is applied to the surface of the skin. You can buy
this product without a prescription at the pharmacy or online.
Some reported success using super glue to close
cracks in the skin. Another incident in 1999 learned how to spot ten people
using two to three drops of super glue in each crack. The crack is held
together for 60 seconds to close. About a week later, they reported that the
cracks were closed and painless. But commercial super glue can be dangerous,
depending on the type. Before trying this method discuss to your doctor.
4. Med
Honey is useful to act as a natural remedy for cracked heels. According to a 2012 review, honey has antibacterial properties. Studies show that honey
can help soothe and cleanse wounds and soothe skin. You can use honey as a
moisturizer after immersion in water or use it overnight as a foot mask.
5. Coconut oil
Coconut oil is often suggested for dry skin, eczema and
psoriasis. It can help your skin retain moisture. Applying coconut oil after soaking your feet can also be a
good option. Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties
that can break your heels if you are prone to bleeding or infections.
6. Other natural remedies
There are many other home remedies for cracked
heels, though none have been proven to treat cracks directly. Most of the
ingredients are intended to soften and soften the skin.
That includes:
• vinegar, soaking the feet
• Olive oil or vegetable, for lubrication
• shea butter, to soften
• banana puree, to soften
• Paraffin wax, to seal moisture
• oatmeal mixed with oil, refined
Learn more: How to soak your feet with vinegar
Be careful
Do not handle cracked heels on your own if they
are caused by a medical condition. Special treatment by a pediatrician
(podiatrist) may be required. Serious cases of fractured heels should also be
examined by a pediatrician, regardless of your medical history. Your doctor
will recommend the best treatment for your condition.
Does Listerine Foot Juices Work?
Question: I read about Listerine cups on cracked heels. Does this treatment work
and how do I try?
Answer:
Listerine mouthwash or any antiseptic mouthwash
mixed with warm water is used as a foot wash. Many people mix it with vinegar.
Ingredients in the leaves include denatured alcohol, menthol, thymol,
eucalyptol and methyl salicylate, as well as many other chemicals. Mouthwash
can kill germs and drain water from dry skin.
Prepare this once a day (usually at night) for a
few weeks. Follow the immersion in water by peeling and moisturizing to get the
best results. Like other home remedies, it takes time and care for cracked
heels to improve.
Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, RN, CNE, COIA responsible
represent the views of our medical professionals. All content is robust and
should not be construed as medical advice.
What causes cracked heels?
The first sign of cracked heels is the formation of
dry, firm skin, called blisters, around the heel edge. As you walk, the fat pad
under your heel increases. This causes your clouds to explode.
Additional factors that can cause cracked heels include:
• Standing for long hours
• You walk barefoot or with sandals on your back
• A long, hot shower
• use strong soaps that can remove natural oils
• shoes that do not fit well or that do not
support the heels
• Dry skin due to the weather, such as low
temperatures or low humidity
If you do not wet your feet regularly, they can
dry quickly.
Causes of treatment
High blood sugar and blood disorders due to
diabetes are common causes of dry skin. Emotional damage can prevent you from
getting your feet dry, cracked and painful.
Other conditions that can lead to dry skin and
cracked heels include:
• Lack of vitamins
• Fungal Infection
• hypothyroidism
• atopic dermatitis
• teenage plantar dermatitis
• psoriasis
• palm plantar keratoderma, which causes abnormal
skin thickness on the soles and palms
• obesity
• pregnancy
• aging
What other symptoms might be associated with a
broken heel?
With cracked heels, you can find:
• Soft skin
• itching
• pain, perhaps strong
• bleeding
• red, burning skin
• ulcers
In extreme cases, you can develop complications
with a broken heel, especially if it is caused by a medical condition. Problems
may include:
• loss of feeling in the heel
• cellulites, infection
• Diabetic foot ulcers
Symptoms of infection include pain, fever, redness
and swelling. If you think you may have the disease, call your doctor right
away.
How to prevent cracked heels
Your shoes are important. If you have a habit of
breaking heels, try to find shoes that fit and support your heels. Whenever
possible, wear shoes that are stiff, wide, and that support the heel.
Avoid
• slippers and sandals, which can increase the
risk of dry feet
• open back shoes, usually do not provide enough
heel support
• High-heeled, leather shoes, which allow the heel
to stretch to the side
• very strong shoes
Other ways to prevent cracked heels:
• Avoid standing or sitting cross-legged.
• At night, apply a thick cream on your feet, and
cover your feet with socks to retain moisture.
• Check your feet daily, especially if you have
diabetes or any other condition that causes dry skin.
• Wear custom shoe accessories (or those) to
strengthen the heel and spread the weight.
• Wear high quality or clinically tested socks.
• Use
silicone heel cups to maintain heel flow and prevent heel pads from spreading.
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay clean.
• After bathing, use mushrooms several times a
week to avoid thickening of the skin. But avoid getting bumps if you have
diabetes or neuropathy. You can create an ulcer unintentionally and increase
the risk of infection.
Food to take home with you
In many cases, cracked heels are not a cause for worry. You can alleviate this condition with
over-the-counter medications. Consult a physician if you have a serious case of
heel fractures or medical conditions such as diabetes. It is important to seek
medical help to prevent complications that could be worse.
Although the skin may show signs of improvement
after the initial treatment, it may take a few days or weeks to cool the
cracks. During and after that, wear comfortable shoes and use proper foot care
to prevent new cracks in the heel.
