How to get rid of cracked heels. How to remove cracked heels at home

Of course, vitamins are needed to restore the elasticity and firmness of epithelial cells. They speed up the healing process of wounds and improve skin regeneration. It is necessary to include fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, fish, and dairy products in your diet so that the body does not need any micro- and macroelements. Also, do not forget about water balance, so drink at least 2 liters of clean water daily.

In the presence of some diseases, the intake of a large volume of fluid leads to the formation of edema and other side effects, so consult your doctor first.

An affordable and effective remedy for cracked heels is honey. Its unique properties are used to treat various diseases and disorders in the functioning of internal systems and organs. To completely get rid of painful sensations, before going to bed, lubricate the affected areas with honey, wrap the top in a plastic bag and put on socks. In the morning, remove honey residues with a cloth or sponge soaked in warm water. After just a few procedures, your skin condition will improve significantly.

Vaseline will help cope with dry feet. Pre-steam your feet in water with the addition of boric acid (4 tsp of powder is required for 1 liter of water) for 10-15 minutes, then lubricate with Vaseline, secure with a band-aid and leave overnight. Repeat the procedure until the wounds are completely healed.

Oatmeal is an effective remedy for making heels soft and smooth. To do this, cook a small amount of oatmeal with the addition of 5 tbsp. vegetable oil. Place the resulting mass in 2 plastic bags and then put it on your feet. Wrap a warm bandage or scarf on top. After 2-3 hours, you need to remove the compress and rinse your feet in warm water. After 7-10 procedures, the cracks will heal, the skin will become elastic and healthy.

You can prepare a homemade tincture: mix 100 ml of vodka, 100 ml of table vinegar, 100 ml of glycerin. Take a linen cloth, soak it in the resulting solution and wrap it around your heels overnight. You need to secure the compress with polyethylene and a warm sock on top. In the morning, remove the bandage, wash your feet and lubricate them with nourishing cream. For small cracks, 2-3 procedures are sufficient.

Table vinegar can be replaced with 10% ammonia.

Regular potatoes are used for treatment. Pre-cook a few potatoes with their skins, drain the water, leaving only ¼ of the volume. Then grind until you get a paste and pour into a container with cool water with a small amount of baking soda added. Place your feet in the resulting mass for 5-10 minutes, and after the procedure, apply a rich foot cream to the heels.

An effective remedy is lotions based on coltsfoot. Boil a glass of milk, pour 2 tbsp. crushed leaves of the plant and place in a water bath for an hour. Cool the resulting mixture, place it on cotton cloth or gauze and apply to sore spots for half an hour. After the first time, the condition will improve, and the cracks will gradually begin to heal.

Cracked heels are an unpleasant problem that many people face; fortunately, they can be cured with folk remedies. Discomfort and inconvenience are caused not only by the unaesthetic appearance of the legs, but also by pain that intensifies when walking. At first, the cracks are barely noticeable, but over time they get worse and begin to become inflamed. The risk of secondary infections entering cracks can trigger the development of dermatitis.

Traditional medicine has many remedies for treating severely cracked heels.

In combination with treatment of the underlying disease that caused cracked heels and proper foot care, they give excellent results. Let's look at the most effective and affordable ones.

Treatment with laundry soap

Although laundry soap does not have medicinal properties, it softens dead skin well and has a disinfecting effect on it.

The easiest way to use laundry soap is to make a soap mask overnight. Feet should be washed well, dried with a towel and lubricated the soles of the feet with a piece of 72% laundry soap. Then they put thin socks on their feet and go to bed. In the morning, moisturizer is applied to washed feet. The procedure is performed daily until the cracks are completely eliminated.

To enhance the effectiveness of soap, use black tea. A linen or cotton napkin is soaked in tea leaves, soaped and applied to the heels. Cover the feet with plastic wrap and put on socks. The morning procedure is repeated as in the previous recipe.

Cracked heels are a very unpleasant and painful phenomenon that falls into the category dermatitis (skin diseases ). The crack is a partial breakdown of the integrity of the skin on the heel. They can be either an independent pathology, with the development of further complications, or a manifestation of any disease.

Cracked heels are a very common phenomenon. Women are most susceptible to this pathology, but it is also observed among men. It is generally accepted that cracked heels appear only with age. However, this is not true; they can appear even in young people. The incidence of this problem depends on the presence of concomitant pathologies. More than 90 percent of people suffering from diabetes or anemia are susceptible to this pathology. Banal hypovitaminosis causes cracked heels in every second person.

Cracked heels cause severe inconvenience, so some people are ready to take drastic measures. One such method is to repair cracks using construction adhesive ( super glue). Thus, some ordinary people recommend gluing cracks with super glue, claiming that this method is safe and effective.

The skin consists of epidermis and dermis. Due to its structural characteristics, the skin of the foot is also called thick skin. The difference between thick skin and thin skin ( all parts of the body except the feet and palms) is the thickness of the epidermis ( top layer of skin). The epidermis of the foot consists of five layers of skin, which equals 70 to 100 layers of cells.

Structure of the epidermis of the foot:

• basal layer;
• layer of spinous cells;
• granular layer;
• shiny or radiant layer;
• stratum corneum.

The main cells of the epidermis are called keratinocytes because they contain the protein keratin. Keratin, being the main protein of the skin, performs a protective function.

Basal layer

It is the innermost layer and performs the regeneration function ( skin restoration). New epidermal cells are formed in it as old cells from the surface layer gradually die off. The complete process of epidermis renewal occurs in 28 days. However, with age or certain diseases ( anemia) this process is slowing down. The epidermis is not renewed with new and high-quality cells, and the skin of the feet, taking on the greatest load, is damaged.

Spine cell layer

This layer consists of 10 layers of cells. In this layer, some stages of growth of keratinocytes migrating from the basal layer occur. These layers are connected using certain structures ( desmosomes), which look like spikes ( hence the name).

Granular layer

Consists of 4 - 5 layers of keratinocytes in which proteins are synthesized ( keratin, filaggrin). Keratinocytes are connected to each other by a kind of cementing substance, thus creating a waterproof barrier in the epidermis. This barrier further prevents the skin from drying out. As this layer thins, the skin dries out and cracks form.
In this layer, a complex substance is formed - keratohyalin, which under a microscope looks like granules or grains ( which is how it got its name). This substance is a precursor to keratin and performs skin protective functions.

Shiny layer

Consists of 3 - 5 layers of flat keratinocytes. In this layer, keratohyalin granules merge and form a light-refracting mass. This mass, essentially consisting of keratin and hyaline, is found only in the epidermis of the feet and palms.

Stratum corneum

It is the most superficial and thickest layer. Its thickness on the foot is more than 600 microns. Consists of keratinocytes that have completed differentiation, which are called horny scales. These scales are connected to each other by a cementing substance that is rich in fat. Thanks to these fats, the scales form a dense, normally waterproof layer.

However, thanks to certain enzymes, this layer is split in the superficial layers. As a result, the horny scales begin to be rejected. Thus, there is a constant renewal of the epidermis, which consists in the rejection of superficial horny scales and the formation of new ones.

Changes in skin cells on the heels while walking

While walking, the foot, and along with it the skin, takes on the entire load of the body. The skin is subject to pressure and friction while walking. At the same time, skin cells constantly change their shape - they stretch and contract. The cells at the edges of the foot are subject to the greatest changes. When you place your feet on the ground, they stretch, and when you lift them, they compress.


At the same time, in order to increase the area of ​​the foot and evenly distribute the load along its edges, the cells of the superficial stratum corneum begin to grow rapidly. This phenomenon is called hyperkeratosis and often underlies the formation of cracks. Because the thicker the stratum corneum, the less elastic it is, which means that when walking, those cells of the foot that are constantly stretched will be injured and destroyed.

Normally, the process of formation of new cells and removal of old ones is in balance and controlled by the body. However, for certain reasons, epidermal cells may be more vulnerable and damaged more quickly.

There are the following reasons for the formation of cracked heels:

• diabetes;
• Iron-deficiency anemia;
• hypovitaminosis, in particular vitamins A and E;
• fungal infection;
• dermatitis.

Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is one of the main pathologies accompanied by cracked heels. The difference between cracked feet in diabetes is that they are not accompanied by a feeling of pain or discomfort.

The cause of the development of cracks is diabetic angiopathy ( vascular damage). In this case, a person’s blood circulation in the vessels is disrupted and, first of all, the vessels of the legs are affected. Blood, as you know, is a source of not only oxygen, but also nutrients for tissues. Therefore, trophic changes occur in tissues where blood circulation is impaired. Elasticity is lost, and most importantly, the skin of the feet ( and whole body) becomes dehydrated. The lack of moisture in the stratum corneum causes a violation of the integrity of its structure, that is, the formation of cracks.

In diabetes mellitus, a complicating factor is diabetic polyneuropathy ( peripheral nerve damage). It is the reason for the absence of pain. This seemingly relieving factor provokes the deepening of cracks and their expansion. Since a person does not feel pain, the cracks increase and become infected.

Iron-deficiency anemia

The cause of cracked heels is sideropenic syndrome due to iron deficiency anemia. This syndrome is caused by iron deficiency in tissues and, as a consequence, degenerative changes in the skin. Since iron in tissues is used for the synthesis of various proteins and enzymes, its deficiency or absence leads to disruption of the structure and division of cells.
Iron deficiency is most acutely felt in epithelial cells and epidermal cells, since these are the most rapidly renewing tissues of the body.

Iron deficiency in the epidermis is manifested by the following symptoms:

• dry skin;
• peeling of the skin;
• formation of cracks.

Hypovitaminosis

A lack of vitamins A and E in the body leads to various dystrophic and inflammatory changes in the skin. Vitamin E is also called a skin protector because it protects cell membranes from damage. Even a slight decrease in it leads to dehydration of skin cells. Along with water, the elasticity of the skin is also lost. Dry and inelastic skin of the feet cannot withstand the load that is placed on it. Under the load of weight, the skin bursts and cracks form in it.

Vitamin A, in turn, takes part in skin renewal processes. It synthesizes enzymes that prevent premature keratinization of the epidermis. However, with hypovitaminosis A, the process of keratinization ceases to be under control, and increased keratinization of the skin, that is, hyperkeratosis, is observed. The skin is dry and rough. The inelastic skin of the feet is injured and cracks form in it.

Fungal infection

Cracks in the heels can not only become an entry point for fungal penetration, but also be a consequence of a fungal infection. The most common source of cracks in the legs are fungal infections such as rubrophytosis and epidermophytosis. These are the most common lesions of the skin of the feet. The fungus, developing on the surface of the foot, stimulates an enhanced process of keratinization. As a result, the skin becomes thickened due to multiple keratinized layers. As is already known, the thicker the stratum corneum, the less elastic it is. Inelastic epidermal cells are more easily injured when walking.

A fungal infection disrupts the integrity of the layers of the epidermis, as a result of which the surface layer of the skin becomes permeable to moisture and the penetration of a secondary infection. This further complicates the crack situation.

Dermatitis

Foot dermatitis can also cause cracked heels. The reason for this is the same loss of elasticity and dry skin. With dermatitis, the skin becomes dry, irritated, and more susceptible to injury. Due to the presence of the inflammatory process, the skin becomes very susceptible to the slightest injury. A minor abrasion or scratch on the foot leads to the development of microcracks, which eventually turn into cracks. The cracks are constantly inflamed, painful and become a gateway for numerous infections.

Factors such as standing for long periods of time, obesity, and poor hygiene are risk factors for the development of cracked heels. People who are overweight are at greatest risk, since the feet bear the entire burden, and along with them the skin. If you add to this a long stay on your feet, then cracked heels will not take long to appear.
Neglect of hygiene rules, tight and uncomfortable shoes are factors that, together with the main reasons, contribute to the formation of cracks in the feet.

How to get rid of cracked heels?

Eliminating the causes of skin disorders

Cracked heels are rarely an independent pathology. Basically, they indicate the presence of immune, metabolic or endocrine disorders in the body. Therefore, the treatment of cracked heels begins with eliminating the causes that led to their appearance. To find out the cause, you need to see your family doctor and undergo some tests.


Laboratory and instrumental studies to identify the causes of cracked heels:

• glucose tolerance test;
• Dopplerography of the vessels of the lower limb;
• microscopy of tissue from the lesion.

General blood analysis
A complete blood count can detect one of the most common causes of cracked heels - anemia.

Iron deficiency anemia is characterized by:

• a decrease in hemoglobin concentration of less than 120 grams per liter;
• decrease in the number of red blood cells less than 3.5 x 9 12
• color index is less than 0.9;
• red blood cells of various sizes are observed ( anisocytosis), red blood cells of smaller diameter ( microcytosis).

A hematologist can confirm or rule out anemia. For a more detailed picture, he may ask some questions, a positive answer to which will indicate in favor of anemia.

For example:

• “Has the patient developed unusual food cravings? For example, an irresistible desire to eat chalk, soil, clay?
• “Do you have any preferences for salty, spicy foods?”
• “Does he have any significant weakness?”
• “Does the patient have rapid heartbeats or shortness of breath when walking?”

Iron deficiency anemia is also characterized by weakness, rapid heartbeat and sometimes perverted taste preferences ( to chalk, earth).

Iron deficiency anemia is treated with iron supplements. The duration of taking these medications depends on the degree of anemia and the individual characteristics of each organism. The dose also depends on the degree of hemoglobin reduction and is selected individually.

List of the most common iron supplements:

• totem;
• sorbifer;
• ferrum lek;
• hemopher.

Biochemical blood test and glucose tolerance test
A biochemical blood test can reveal different stages of diabetes. As a rule, the test is taken on an empty stomach.

Indicators of biochemical blood analysis for diabetes mellitus:

• fasting glucose more than 5.5 mmol per liter;
• after eating, the glucose level is more than 8.0 mmol per liter.

After a biochemical analysis, an endocrinologist may recommend a sugar load test or a glucose tolerance test. The essence of the test is that after taking a biochemical blood test on an empty stomach, the patient is given a glass of water with 75 grams of dissolved sugar to drink. After this, the patient's glucose level is determined every half hour.

Blood glucose levels two hours after a glucose load:

• less than 7 mmol/liter - regarded as normal;
• from 7 to 11 mmol/liter - regarded as prediabetes;
• more than 11 mmol/liter - diabetes mellitus.

To clarify the diagnosis, the endocrinologist may ask some questions.

For example:

• “Does the patient feel constantly thirsty?”
• “Is your skin dry?”
• “Does he urinate frequently?”

If a person often feels thirsty, and the skin is dry and irritated, then he may have diabetes.

For diabetes mellitus, hypoglycemic agents are prescribed that inhibit the formation of glucose in the liver, thereby reducing its level in tissues and blood. As a rule, drugs are prescribed before meals or during the meal itself. The dose of drugs is selected based on glucose levels and the presence of diabetes complications ( damage to the kidneys and blood vessels of the eye).

Hypoglycemic agents for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

• metformin;
• glibenclamide ( synonym - Maninil);
• glipizide.

Also a mandatory element in the treatment of diabetes is following a diet, which consists of limited consumption of carbohydrates ( white bread, baking, sugar).

Dopplerography of the vessels of the lower limb
If the doctor suspects that the cause of the cracks is poor blood supply to the lower extremities, then he may direct the patient to undergo Doppler ultrasound of the vessels of the legs. This diagnostic method evaluates the condition of the vessels of the lower extremities and also determines the speed of blood flow in these vessels.
With angiopathy, a decrease in blood flow is observed, the walls of the vessels may be thickened, narrowed, or the blood supply in them may be completely disrupted. Treatment for poor circulation depends on the cause of the disease.

Drugs that improve blood circulation in blood vessels:

• venoruton;
• beat.

Microscopy method
The microscopy method is a publicly available study of fungal infections. Scales from the lesion are treated with a special solution and then examined under a microscope. If a fungus was found in the test material, the dermatologist recommends antifungal treatment.

Antifungals used in the treatment of fungal foot infections:

• terbizil cream;
• mycoterbine cream;
• Nizoral cream.

How to take care of your feet to avoid complications?

Ointments for the treatment of cracks

A drug	Mechanism of action	Method of use
ointment Balzamed (contains provitamin B5, vitamin E, vitamin A, glycerin and lactic acid)	The ointment has a moisturizing and nourishing effect on the skin of the feet, preventing the formation of cracks, redness, and irritation. Vitamins A and E increase skin resistance to infections and damage	The ointment is applied effortlessly to the area of ​​cracks using massaging movements. The drug should be used daily, after water procedures
ointment Radevit (containsvitamin E, vitamin A, vitaminD2, emulsion wax and glycerin)	The cream stimulates skin regeneration and has an anti-inflammatory and disinfectant effect. Vitamins E, A and D2 promote rapid restoration of damaged tissues	Radevit is applied in a thin layer twice a day. Before using the ointment, the skin should be treated with an antiseptic
Lamisil cream	The cream fights infection, prevents and destroys fungus. Promotes rapid healing of cracks and restoration of affected tissues	Apply a small amount of cream to problem areas once a day. Before using the cream, feet should be washed with warm water and dried with a towel.
BioAstin antifungal cream (contains flax oil, sage extract, mint extract, clove essential oil, tea tree essential oil, urea and allantoin)	The cream has an antifungal effect, fights infections, protects the skin from pathogenic microflora. The oils contained in the cream have a softening effect. Extracts and extracts from plants promote rapid healing of cracks	Apply the ointment to the cleansed skin of the heels with massaging movements.
gel Zazhivin (includestea tree essential oil, milk thistle oil; vitaminFand sage extract)	The gel promotes rapid healing of cracked heels, has a wound-healing and bactericidal effect	The cream should be applied before bedtime with massaging movements on pre-washed feet.
foot cream for cracked heels Ambulance (contains petroleum jelly, wax, glycerin, allantoin, olive oil, vitaminsFAndE)	The cream has a healing and bactericidal effect. The herbal extracts included in the composition accelerate the healing of cracks. Oils and wax soften and nourish the skin of the feet. Vitamins activate the restoration of damaged skin	The cream is applied to the affected areas. Before applying the cream, the skin of the feet should be steamed and treated with pumice. Secure the crack on top with adhesive tape, tightening its edges. Wear cotton socks
Dardia Lipo Balm (contains urea, microcrystalline wax, paraffin, petrolatum and corn starch)	Urea in the cream combats dryness, effectively softening rough skin. Wax and paraffin normalize the water balance of the skin. The cream has a restorative effect, promotes the rapid healing of cracks	Apply with circular massaging movements. Use as a nourishing cream twice daily

Traditional methods for treating cracked heels

To treat cracked heels, traditional medicine suggests:

• compresses;
• baths;
• ointments.

Compresses
Compresses for the treatment of cracked heels moisturize and nourish the skin of the feet. The composition prepared in accordance with the recipe is applied to the affected areas, after which the feet are wrapped in plastic wrap. To enhance the effect, you should wear warm socks, and after removing the product, lubricate your heels with a rich cream.

The following compresses are used in the treatment of cracked heels:

• onion compress;
• compress of apples and milk;
• potato compress;
• aloe compress;
• oil compresses.

Onion compress
A compress based on onions has excellent bactericidal properties. The procedure should be repeated at least three times.

To prepare the compress you will need:

• two medium-sized onions;
• one teaspoon of soda;
• two liters of warm water;
• cling film;
• clean cloth;
• bandage.

Before applying the compress, your feet should be steamed by holding them in warm water with soda. Next, the onion pulp wrapped in cloth should be applied to the heels, wrapped in film and bandaged. Leave the mixture overnight and wash off in the morning with warm soapy water. After removing the onion, the feet should be treated with pumice and lubricated with rich cream.

Apple and milk compress
The vitamins and microelements contained in milk and apples nourish the skin of the feet and promote the speedy healing of cracks.

In order to prepare an apple-milk compress, you should prepare:

• apples - two medium-sized pieces;
• milk - 200 grams of low fat content;
• baking soda - one teaspoon;
• Wheat flour ( of necessity).

Cut the apples into small cubes along with the peel, add milk and soda and place on low heat in an enamel bowl. Cook for 10 - 15 minutes until it becomes a paste. If the mass turns out to be too liquid, you should add one to two teaspoons of wheat flour. After cooling the composition slightly, apply it in a thick layer ( 0.6 - 1 cm) on the heels, placing a gauze bandage on top. You should keep it until the compress is warm. You can extend the effect of the procedure by wrapping the gauze on top with cling film or parchment. You should make an apple-lactine compress at least once a week until a positive result occurs.

Potato compress
Potato compresses have a wound-healing antibacterial effect on cracked heels. The procedure should be carried out daily for ten days.
To prepare the composition, take three raw potatoes. The vegetable should be grated on a fine grater and the paste should be applied to the affected areas. You need to keep the compress for one and a half to two hours, then rinse off the composition, treat the heels with pumice and lubricate with nourishing cream.

Aloe compress
Aloe compresses have a softening effect and promote rapid restoration of cracked heels. Take a few stems of this plant, chop it finely and then soften it to a paste. Using plastic film and a bandage, the mixture should be fixed on the heels, socks should be put on top and the compress should be left overnight.

Oil compresses
Oils have a moisturizing and nourishing effect, therefore they are widely used in the fight against cracked heels. You should take cotton socks and soak them in heated oil. Put socks on pre-steamed feet and cover with cling film on top.

The following types of oils can be used as a base for a compress:

• olive;
• castor;
• almond;
• corn;
• sunflower.

Glycerin added to any of the above oils will help soften the skin and have an antimicrobial effect. When preparing an oil-glycerin mixture, the ratio should be 2:1. A few drops of fir or eucalyptus essential oil increases the effectiveness of oil compresses. They have a wound healing effect and also improve blood circulation in tissues.

Baths
Daily baths are an effective remedy for treating cracked heels. The key to the success of using this folk method is the systematic implementation of procedures.

The main ingredients for baths can be used:

• herbal infusions;
• starch;
• sea ​​salt;
• White wine.

Herbal infusions for foot baths
Herbal baths have a positive effect on cracked heels due to their anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. To carry out the procedure, you need to prepare a decoction. One tablespoon of dry plants should be poured into a liter of water, brought to a boil and kept on low heat for half an hour. Dilute the broth with water to an acceptable temperature and keep your feet in it for thirty to forty minutes. After the bath, pat your feet dry with a towel, give a light massage and lubricate with nourishing cream.

The following plants are used in the treatment of cracked heels:

• sage;
• St. John's wort;
• elecampane;
• series;
• chamomile;
• calendula;
• Oak bark.

You need to use dry herbs purchased at the pharmacy.

Bath with starch
In order to prepare a bath with starch for the feet, you will need a liter of warm water and one tablespoon of potato starch. After combining starch with water, immerse your feet in the resulting mixture for half an hour. As the composition cools, you should gradually add hot water. Next, wash your feet with warm water without soap, lubricate with nourishing cream and put on socks.
Starch baths soften rough skin on the heels and accelerate the healing of cracks. You can enhance the effect of the procedure by adding a few drops of rosemary essential oil, which has an antibacterial effect. Baths should be taken daily for eight to ten days. For deep, non-healing cracks, replace water with a decoction of herbs such as calendula, chamomile, St. John's wort ( 5 grams of each plant in dry form per liter of water).

You can supplement the starch bath by applying a special mixture to the affected areas. Take equal parts of aloe and onion juice. Combine with fish oil and enough flour to make a paste similar in consistency to yeast dough. Form the mixture into cakes and apply to the cracks, securing on top with wax paper or cling film. Wrap your feet in a bandage and put on warm socks on top. The compress should be left overnight. In the morning, rinse with warm water and treat the cracks with a strong decoction of calendula or oak bark.

Sea salt baths
The microelements contained in sea salt help improve blood circulation and restore affected areas on the feet. Baths with sea salt also have a softening and exfoliating effect. Add one hundred grams of sea salt and one tablespoon of soda to warm water. Soak your feet in the solution for fifteen minutes. Dry with a towel and wipe with a slice of lemon. Afterwards, lubricate your heels with olive or any other oil and put on warm socks.

Wine baths
Wine baths with the addition of linden have a softening effect on rough skin of the heels and promote rapid healing of cracks. To carry out this procedure, you should take two hundred milliliters of dry white wine and one tablespoon of dried linden flowers. Place the mixture on the fire and bring to a boil. Combine a liter of warm water and the resulting decoction and dip your feet in the resulting solution. After ten minutes, rub your feet with a washcloth and return them back to the water. Repeat these steps several times. After the water and wine have cooled, blot your feet and apply nourishing cream or vegetable oil.

Ointments
Ointments prepared according to folk recipes to combat cracked heels should be applied before bed, leaving overnight. To enhance the effect, wrap your feet in plastic wrap and wear warm socks. After washing off the composition, you need to treat problem areas with pumice, then apply vegetable oil, Vaseline or emollient cream.

The following products can serve as the basis for ointments:

• pork fat;
• badger fat;
• petrolatum.

Carrot and pork fat ointment
Take fresh medium-sized carrots and grate them on a fine grater. Melt one hundred grams of pork fat in a water bath. After adding carrots to the melted fat, leave the mixture on the fire for fifteen minutes. Next, strain the mixture through cheesecloth into a glass jar and cool to room temperature. The prepared ointment can be used either independently or as an additional element of care after baths and compresses. Fat softens the skin of the heels well, and the beneficial elements contained in carrots nourish the skin. The ointment should be stored in the refrigerator.

Herbal ointment based on badger fat
The badger fat contained in this ointment will make the skin of the heels more elastic and firm, thanks to the vitamins A and E that are included in its composition. Herbs have a bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effect, preventing the development of infection in cracked heels.

To prepare the ointment, you need the following ingredients:

• badger fat - fifty milliliters;
• dried calendula flowers - one teaspoon;
• dried celandine flowers - one teaspoon.

Badger fat and plants should be purchased at the pharmacy.
Pour boiling water over the dry herbs and keep them in the water for one minute. Place the fat in a water bath and after ten minutes add calendula flowers and celandine herbs. Keep the mixture in a water bath for thirty minutes, stirring thoroughly and avoiding boiling. Next, the hot fat needs to be strained through a sieve and poured into a glass container. The ointment should be stored in the refrigerator and heated in a water bath before use.

Vaseline-based ointment
Plantain ointment prepared with Vaseline has excellent bactericidal and wound-healing properties. Dry leaves of the plant should be ground into fine dust and mixed with a few drops of vegetable, olive or almond oil. Next, combine the composition with Vaseline in a ratio of 1:9.
You can also prepare calendula ointment using Vaseline. One tablespoon of crushed dried flowers of this plant should be mixed with four tablespoons of Vaseline. Calendula ointment stimulates tissue repair, prevents inflammatory processes and has antibacterial properties.

Mechanical treatments for cracked heels

Mechanical treatment of cracked heels consists of removing rough skin on the affected areas and further treating the wounds with special means.

Cleaning includes the following steps:

• steaming the skin;
• peeling;
• crack treatment;
• nutrition and hydration.

Steaming the skin

In order to steam the skin on the feet, you should prepare a soda-soap solution. You can prepare various baths with herbs and glycerin.

To prepare a soda-soap solution you will need:

• one litre ( four glasses) water - temperature 40 - 50 degrees Celsius;
• soda - 30 grams ( one tablespoon);
• liquid soap.

Combine all the components in a container designed for foot baths and lower your feet there. As the water cools, add boiling water. The duration of the procedure should be at least thirty minutes.

Bath with glycerin
To prepare a glycerin foot bath, combine five grams ( one teaspoon) glycerin and two liters of warm water ( 45 - 50 degrees Celsius). Place your feet in the water and keep them there for half an hour. You can enhance the effect by adding two tablespoons of 9 percent table vinegar to the solution.

Chamomile bath
Take six tablespoons of dry chamomile and pour half a liter ( two glasses) boiling water. Leave for ten minutes for the solution to infuse. Next, mix the steamed chamomile with three liters of water at room temperature. Place your feet in the water and hold them for ten to fifteen minutes.

Bath with tar soap
One hundred grams of tar soap ( half a block) grind with a grater and mix with two to three liters of warm water. To neutralize the strong odor, you can add a few drops of citrus essential oil to the solution ( lemon, orange, grapefruit). The duration of the procedure is twenty minutes. After the bath, rinse your feet with warm water and wipe dry.

Peeling

Peeling is the process of removing the surface layers of skin. You should know that activities to clean your heels of dead skin should be carried out no more than once a week.

The following products can be used for heel cleaning procedures:

• pumice;
• pedicure grater;
• scrub.

Pumice
Pumice for treating cracked heels should have medium-sized pores. Preference should be given to products of natural origin. Take a pumice stone and move in a circular motion over the rough areas, avoiding areas with healthy skin. If painful sensations occur, the procedure should be stopped.

Pedicure grater
You should start working on your heels using a pedicure sanding float from the center of the foot to the heel. During the procedure, the heels should be moistened with a damp towel.

Scrub
You can remove rough skin from your heels using a special product with abrasive particles. You can buy a scrub at a pharmacy, specialty store, or prepare it yourself.

The following products can be used as the main ingredient for the scrub:

• ground natural coffee;
• fine sea salt;
• corn flour.

Mix two tablespoons of any of the above products with liquid soap to a paste. Apply the mixture to your feet and rub into problem areas in a circular motion. The duration of the procedure is five minutes. Rinse your feet with warm water and dry with a clean towel.

Crack Treatment

Once the dead skin on your heels has been removed, you should treat the cracks with a disinfectant. Pour 3% hydrogen peroxide into the wounds. Blot the surface of the crack with a cotton pad. Next, treat the problem area with a cream that contains salicylic, glycolic or lactic acid. These products should be purchased at a pharmacy. After treatment, you should bandage your feet and put on cotton socks.

Nutrition and hydration

To nourish and moisturize dry skin on the feet, you should use creams containing the following ingredients:

• lanolin - softens the skin ( GEHWOLmed, ointment for cracks);
• Vitamin A - fights infections ( homemade foot cream recipes);
• Vitamin E - prevents skin damage ( healer cream with urea);
• vitamin B5 - promotes wound healing ( cream balsamed);

Vitamin F - makes the skin elastic ( first aid cream for cracks).

Prevention of cracked heels

What should you do to prevent cracked heels?

To prevent the formation of cracked heels, you should :

• observe the rules of personal hygiene;
• wear the right shoes;
• Provide your feet with proper care.
• Maintain a balanced diet and drinking regime.

Personal hygiene
In order to prevent the occurrence of cracked heels, you should follow the rules of personal hygiene.

Personal hygiene rules to prevent cracked heels:

• When visiting a swimming pool, bathhouse, gym, or beach, you must wear closed rubber shoes. Also, during regular visits to these institutions, it is recommended to use antifungal drugs.
• Socks, stockings and tights should be changed every day, giving preference to products made from natural fabrics. Synthetics promote increased sweating and the accumulation of sebaceous products.
• Avoid wearing other people's shoes and don't even let family members wear your shoes. Pedicures should be done only with your own tools, and when visiting specialized salons, make sure they are sterile.
• You should avoid porous rugs in the bathroom, as they provide a fertile environment for the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.

The right shoes
To prevent cracked heels, special attention should be paid to the choice of shoes. Shoes should be comfortable, well ventilated, with medium heels. It is important to select shoes according to your foot size. Tight, uncomfortable high-heeled shoes place increased stress on the skin of the feet, resulting in cracks.

During warmer months, avoid flip-flops and flip-flops. Due to the impact of the foot on the sole, microcracks appear on the skin of the heels. When exposed to dry air and dust, small injuries can grow into deep cracks. To protect the skin of your feet from the effects of negative environmental factors, when wearing open shoes you need to use heels or thin socks. Shoes made from low-quality synthetic materials cause increased sweating and impaired heat exchange. Artificial, non-breathable materials cause damage and skin diseases, including cracked heels.

Feet care
Proper care begins with daily cleansing of your feet. You should not neglect taking care of your heels, but at the same time, you should not abuse detergents or abrasives.

Rules for daily foot toilet:

• The water should not be too hot as it can cause dry skin.
• For washing you need to use fatty soap.
• If your feet sweat excessively, you need to wash them with bactericidal agents.
• Finish washing your feet by rinsing with cold water.
• After water procedures, feet should be wiped dry with a separate towel.
• After washing, apply nourishing cream or any vegetable oil to your feet.
• several times a week, using a special washcloth or products with abrasive particles, it is necessary to clean the skin of the feet from dying skin cells.

A deeper cleaning of your feet should be done weekly. Steam your feet by soaking them in warm soapy water for thirty minutes. To enhance the effect, you can add baking soda to the solution at the rate of one tablespoon per liter of water. After this, the softened layer must be removed with a pumice stone or a special pedicure tool.

You should refrain from using the blade, as it can injure the skin. Water for steaming can be replaced with a decoction of herbs such as calendula, chamomile, St. John's wort. Steam two tablespoons of dry plants with a glass of boiling water and leave the decoction for half an hour to infuse. Such baths, in addition to the steaming effect, have a bactericidal effect and prevent the occurrence of infections.

For excessively dry feet, it is useful to make nourishing masks to prevent cracked heels. The product should be applied to problem areas and provide a thermal effect by wrapping the feet with polyethylene film. You need to wear warm socks over the film. You can purchase these masks in specialized stores, pharmacies, or prepare them yourself. When choosing cosmetics, preference should be given to brands that contain natural oils.

Ultraviolet rays have a negative effect on the skin of the feet. Therefore, before exposure to the sun, special protective agents should be applied to the feet, and after sunbathing, the skin should be moisturized. Sea water and hot sand also negatively affect the condition of the feet, after which the skin becomes dry and cracks. Special beach shoes and nourishing foot care products will help prevent cracks.

Diet and water regime
In order to prevent cracked heels, a person must receive a sufficient amount of vitamin A and other elements from food that are responsible for skin restoration.

Diet to prevent the development of cracked heels:

• beef and chicken liver, fish oil, cod liver - a source of retinol.
• wheat germ oil, sea buckthorn and soybean oil, almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts - contain a large amount of tocopherol.
• carrots, sea buckthorn, sorrel, rose hips, spinach, celery, wild garlic are suppliers of carotene.

Dry skin and, as a consequence, the appearance of cracks can be caused by the predominance of low-fat foods in the diet.
Proper water regime will help prevent the occurrence of cracked heels. For good skin health, a person needs to drink at least two liters of water a day. Preference should be given to still or mineralized water, reducing the consumption of coffee and tea. A sufficient amount of moisture also improves metabolism and helps normalize weight. Extra pounds create additional stress on the skin of the feet, causing the formation of cracks.

What should you avoid to prevent cracked heels?

In order to prevent cracked heels, you need to exclude some negative factors from your lifestyle.

To prevent cracked heels, you should not:

• ignore personal hygiene rules;
• not following foot care procedures;
• ignore the use of protective and nourishing products for the feet;
• use a blade and other people's pedicure tools;
• wear tight shoes;
• give preference to synthetic socks;
• wearing high-heeled shoes for a long time;
• wear shoes made of artificial materials;
• abuse low-calorie diets;
• not providing the body with sufficient amounts of vitamins A and E;
• Drink less than two liters of fluid per day.

Cracked heels are a widespread problem. This happens more often to older people, but young people are no exception. Cracked, dry skin gives feet an unkempt appearance. When walking, unpleasant sensations arise; it is necessary to select softer shoes.

Cracked skin on the feet looks ugly and hurts. Sometimes this is a consequence of internal disorders and the development of diseases. To find out the reasons, you should consult a doctor, but we will try to figure out how to treat cracked heels at home and what to pay attention to so that the problem does not return.

What causes the skin on the heels to crack?– main factors

Coarsening of tissues leads to disruption of the cover and the appearance of tears. If cracks have formed due to problems in the body, then getting rid of them is not easy. To do this, you will have to undergo an examination, identify and eliminate the cause:

• Fungus. A fungal infection causes the skin to lose its elasticity. The spores penetrate the blood, so it is unlikely to be limited to applications alone. A visit to a dermatologist or mycologist will speed up recovery. If necessary, the doctor will prescribe medications. If you follow the instructions carefully, deep cracks in your heels will soon disappear.
• Disturbances in the endocrine system. Abnormalities in the thyroid gland or diabetes are often accompanied by roughening of the feet and other parts of the body. The diseases are accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, hair loss, dryness, swelling, but the diagnosis should be carried out by an endocrinologist.
• Anemia. Iron is involved in the synthesis of hormones, enzymes and amino acids. Its deficiency negatively affects the condition of epidermal cells, complexion, and tone. It is not difficult to diagnose; just visit the nearest laboratory and donate blood for analysis.
• Dermatitis. The problem is dealt with by a dermatologist who prescribes comprehensive treatment. Schedule a visit if your soles are cracking and are accompanied by itching, redness, and peeling.
• Digestive diseases. Disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract impair the absorption of nutrients. This provokes many problems, including aesthetic ones.
• Avitaminosis. The elasticity of the skin is affected by vitamins A, E, and ascorbic acid. Their deficiency leads to vulnerability and susceptibility to defects. For medicinal purposes, pharmaceutical drugs are taken as prescribed by a doctor after laboratory tests.

Uncontrolled use of medications can aggravate the problem, causing a deterioration in well-being.

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All this increases dryness and provokes the formation of corns. The area that has lost its elasticity cannot withstand the pressure that occurs when walking and bursts. In addition, cracking can be caused by excess weight, as well as hormonal imbalance as a result of pregnancy.

Competent treatment of underlying diseases in combination with appropriate care will help cope with foot injuries, giving them an attractive appearance.

Why cracked heels - cause and treatment at home

The main factor in the formation of cracks is the loss of elasticity of the skin. If we exclude internal problems, then the main points that contribute to this are the following:

1. Failure to comply with hygiene standards.
2. Wrong shoes.
3. Excessively intense peeling.

Before running to the salon, objectively assess your condition. Remember the expression: “The best is the enemy of the good?” This is exactly the case. Too thorough removal of keratinized tissue thins the top layer. It cannot withstand the weight of the body and bursts under pressure.

Perhaps this is the only situation when “you need to wait and the problem will solve itself.”

In addition, cracking is often observed among those who like to walk barefoot. For example, I sometimes see followers of the teachings of Porfiry Ivanov and involuntarily pay attention to the condition of their feet. It leaves much to be desired, but here everyone sets their own priorities.

The best remedy for cracked heels is a comprehensive approach: hygiene, balanced nutrition, comprehensive health care. Click on vegetables, porridge, beef liver, sea fish. Lose excess weight if you have it, get examined, undergo a medical examination. Lead an active lifestyle: spend more time in the fresh air, get enough sleep, and do not overwork.

Cracked heels: available healing

Traditional medicine should be used on a clean, steamed foot. From all the recommendations, choose what helps you with cracked heels. Monitor your body's reaction and notice positive changes.

If the affected areas are not treated immediately, then over time they become rougher and begin to cause discomfort not only when moving, but also at rest.

First aid

A softening bath is a basic procedure with which care begins. The composition may differ, but the order remains the same:

• feet are washed;
• immerse in warm water with a decoction of chamomile, string, sage, soda solution or other ingredients;
• steam for 15 minutes;
• take out, wipe, clean with pumice or file;
• lubricate with a moisturizing emulsion.

Medicinal herbs soothe, relieve inflammation, and heal ruptures. Regular care reliably protects against coarsening and penetration of pathogenic microorganisms.

Ointment for cracked heels

For a tablespoon of thick cream, take two drops of vitamin A and 0.5 tsp. calendula tinctures. The components are thoroughly mixed and stored in the refrigerator. They will stay there for about a week. Apply once a day before bedtime. To enhance the effect, wear tight footwear.

Oatmealfor cracked heels

Simple, cheap and effective method, one of my favorites. It is better to do the procedure at night or if you have free time. It will take 3-4 hours, no less.

Take natural or Hercules. Boil the porridge in water, cool, apply to napkins made of natural material, and wrap them around your feet. Place plastic bags and socks on top. In the morning, we remove everything, rinse it, clean off the softened layer, and lubricate the surface.

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St. John's wort decoction

If the skin on the heels is very cracked, then pour 15 grams of dried water into 3 cups of boiling water, wait an hour, strain, pour into a basin. Add 2 tbsp. l. natural apple cider vinegar.

Prepare a warm bath every evening before bed. After 15 min. dry your feet with a terry towel, lubricate with cosmetic milk, put on clean cotton footwear.

Cracked heels - what to do, folk remedies

If your feet have lost their attractiveness, pay attention to how you feel and reconsider the principles of caring for your appearance. If cracking is caused by external factors, then it is quite possible to use simple and affordable techniques.

Application for cracked heels

You will need mashed potatoes, heavy cream and honey:

• boil and mash one potato,
• put 30 g of cream,
• add a spoonful of honey,
• cool to a comfortable temperature,
• apply on a cotton napkin,
• wrap the problem area,
• wait an hour,
• wash it off.

Honey and oil nourish, soften, and potatoes restore damage, preventing the appearance of new wounds.

Onion compress for cracked heels

Onion juice or gruel is used for deep ruptures accompanied by pain. The mass is distributed over the pre-steamed area and secured with a bandage. Here is a miracle recipe:

1. Chop a medium-sized onion. A meat grinder, grater or blender will do.
2. Place the resulting pulp on gauze napkins. Apply them to the problem area, cover with a piece of polyethylene, and secure with an elastic bandage.
3. Leave for 3 hours or overnight, remove, wash, lubricate with nourishing milk.

Don’t let the pungent smell stop you, onions do their job with a bang. The wounds usually heal after 3-5 procedures.

A more complex composition includes honey and mustard oil (unrefined). They are taken in equal proportions, the compress is prepared in the same way as the previous one. Onions can be replaced with green onions.

How to get rid of cracked heels quickly at home - an easy recipe

This is my favorite method that I use regularly. Even my pedicurist noted positive changes. It's very simple. Not the most elegant, but working. Wool socks! They not only maintain warmth, but also prevent overdrying.

Everything ingenious is simple. To get rid of cracked heels, you first need to steam them, lubricate them with a nourishing cream, and then put on socks.

I noticed that most often roughness appears in the summer, when I run around the apartment barefoot. This causes the feet to become rough, and the next stage is the appearance of cracks. Once I switched to wearing wool socks instead of slippers year-round, the problem went away.

The most effective folk remedies for cracked heels with a healing effect

There are a number of methods that have received a huge number of positive reviews. They use ready-made ingredients, but this does not make them any less effective.

Best castfor cracked heels - glycerin and vinegar

Glycerin is based on trihydric alcohol, which has a high water-holding capacity. It softens well, and apple cider vinegar kills fungus. The two substances complement each other perfectly. To make a healing mixture, you need:

• take 3 tablespoons of pharmaceutical glycerin,
• pour 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar,
• mix,
• lubricate the affected areas,
• cover with film
• put on tight knee socks,
• leave overnight.

The mixture will help even with advanced calluses, corns, and cracks. It is better to use it every other day. The course consists of several procedures.

Vodka and aspirin for heels - recipe

I warn you right away that I haven’t used this myself, so I can’t say anything. Judging by the reviews, this lineup is weaker than the previous one. But it relieves inflammation and heals small wounds. Required components:

• glass of vodka,
• 5 aspirin tablets.

Crush acetylsalicylic acid tablets, pour into vodka, mix thoroughly until maximum dissolution. The liquid can be used for baths, simply poured into a basin, or applied externally twice a day.

Hydrogen peroxide and glycerin for heels - recipe

These two components must be in your first aid kit. When used correctly, they quickly make even the roughest feet pink and tender, like a baby’s. The mixture copes with stubborn dirt, softens and heals wounds.

Hydrogen peroxide and glycerin for corns have many positive reviews . The combination cares for the affected area and heals damage. Preparing a bath is easy. To do this, you need to take a small bowl, pour 2 liters of warm water into it, measure out 15 g of H 2 O 2 (three percent) and the same amount of glycerin.

For noticeable results, 10-25 minutes are usually enough. Then the feet should be rinsed, carefully clean the dead layer, lubricate with cream.

Treatment of cracked heels with hydrogen peroxide at home should be carried out in the absence of contraindications: signs of intolerance, allergic reactions, redness, irritation.

Professional approach

Cracks on the feet and peeling are a serious reason to contact an experienced podiatrist. The specialist will do the right pedicure and tell you what to do next.

The technician will treat problem areas and eliminate the defect. This is about the question of how to cure cracked heels quickly without the use of pharmaceutical drugs.

There is a special technique - “opening the crack”, when its edges are removed with sharp tongs or attachments for hardware pedicure. After this, the crack heals. To prevent it from forming again, you must periodically visit the pedicure room and follow the recommendations of a specialist.

Cracked heels: prevention measures

After successful healing, it’s time to start prevention. To protect yourself from problems in the future, follow a number of rules:

• Wash your feet regularly and clean with a low-abrasive pumice stone rather than a metal file.
• Wear comfortable shoes made from natural materials.
• When visiting a bathhouse, water park or swimming pool, use rubber slippers.
• Eat healthy food, do not forget about the balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and a sufficient supply of microelements.
• Control your body weight.
• Strictly adhere to the pedicure schedule (every three weeks).
• Use moisturizer daily.

Many people experience cracked heels. Untidy feet can spoil the impression of a person. You can clean them not only in the salon, but also at home. This does not require expensive ingredients or complex equipment. Independent manipulations will not replace doctor’s consultations, but will serve as an effective addition. Simple techniques will help you achieve beauty and health.

Cracked heels are a well-known cosmetic problem among women and men all over the planet. They not only look untidy, but also cause severe discomfort, as they cause severe pain, and deep cracks can cause serious infection and fester if they are not treated in a timely manner.
Typically, the disease begins with dryness and flaking, which gradually worsen and develop into small cracks. Every month things get worse and worse, because the feet undergo enormous loads every day. What causes cracks in the heel and how to cure them, you need to know at the first signs of the disease, so as not to delay, but to act immediately.

There are many reasons for the appearance of cracked heels in women and men, here are the main ones:

• Vitamin deficiency, unbalanced diet;
• Obesity and gastrointestinal disorders;
• Hormonal disorders;
• Skin diseases;
• Uncomfortable shoes made from low-quality materials;
• Dry feet in the summer.

With poor nutrition, the body lacks beneficial vitamins, causing the skin to become less elastic and more susceptible to the adverse effects of the external environment. The skin on the heels is always under pressure, so it must be quite dense and elastic. The skin of the feet is usually affected by a lack of vitamins E, F, A.
Excess weight can also cause injury to the feet, because they are not designed to carry 30-40 or more kg of excess fat. As a result, the skin of the feet cannot withstand it, becomes thinner and cracks appear on the heels. The same thing happens when the gastrointestinal tract is disrupted, the necessary substances are poorly absorbed and their deficiency occurs.
Skin diseases such as psoriasis or ichthyosis can cause cracked heels. It is important to note that foot fungus is not the cause, but the diseases can occur together, then in addition to unpleasant wounds on the feet, itching and peeling also appear.
The problem is often caused by uncomfortable shoes in winter and dry skin in summer. In summer, the skin of the feet is very vulnerable, because people wear open-toed shoes. In addition to the pressure when walking, the skin is exposed to the sun, it becomes chapped and dirty, the feet constantly have to be washed with soap. In winter, the heels suffer from tight shoes. And, if the shoes are made of unnatural materials, and are even too tight, then the skin of the feet does not breathe, becomes thinner and flakes.

First aid

As a rule, it is easiest to get rid of cracked heels at the initial stage of the disease, when the skin just begins to peel off. In this case, it is enough just to identify the causes of the problem and eliminate them, then the skin will stop suffering and quickly recover.


How to treat heels in the initial stages of the disease:

• First of all, you need to think about how comfortable and high-quality your shoes are. If shoes or boots are made of leather. deputy, then you should think about buying a new pair. Leather products are more expensive, but feet breathe in them, and shoes made from natural materials are much more comfortable and will last many times longer. If the problem appears exclusively in the summer, then it is better to purchase sandals with a closed heel so that the external environment does not affect the skin. Also, you should not walk barefoot on the ground or sand in this case.
• To soften the skin and remove peeling, you need to purchase a moisturizer, and if small cracks appear, they need to be treated with a chlorhexidine solution and lubricated with a wound-healing ointment. You must repeat the procedure every evening before bed, on clean feet. By the way, you should not use regular soap to wash your feet if cracks appear, as it dries the skin too much; moisturizing gels with a neutral ph are best.
• Often the cause of the problem is excessive care. You should not rub your heels with a scrub or pumice every day; the peeling procedure should be carried out no more than 2 times a week, you need to give the skin time to recover, otherwise it will become very thin.
• Proper nutrition and drinking regimen play a very important role in the health of the skin; you need to drink at least 2 liters of clean water per day. Nutrition should be healthy and balanced; for healthy feet, it is necessary to regularly include in the diet foods containing vitamins E, F, A, which are found in fresh herbs, vegetables, liver, fish, butter and other healthy foods. You can also take a vitamin complex to replenish vitamins, but before use it is better to consult a therapist.
• During the treatment period, it is very important to relieve the sore feet, spend less time on your feet and in tight shoes, and at home it is better to walk barefoot so that the skin can breathe. You should also think about losing weight if you are overweight, since obesity causes not only cracked heels, but also a number of other, more serious diseases.

Shoes

Incorrectly chosen shoes most often become the cause of various foot diseases, including cracked heels. When buying a new pair of boots, you need to pay attention to the following signs:

• Shoes should be made of natural and high-quality material. Natural shoes cannot be too cheap, since preparing natural leather costs money. Externally, the material should appear to be of high quality, without wrinkles, tears or cuts, have a uniform shade around the entire perimeter and even seams. If you run a damp white napkin over the fabric, there should be no paint left on it, but if the napkin is stained, then the material used is not of high quality.
• The sole must be flexible, otherwise it will be uncomfortable to walk in such shoes, the heel will constantly endure excessive load and cracks will appear. In addition, shoes with hard soles will last less.
• High-quality shoes can be recognized by their even seams; there should be no threads sticking out of them. If you try on shoes, nothing should press.
• Good shoes should not have a strong chemical paint smell.

Deep

It is best if the disease is treated under the supervision of a dermatologist, but there are situations when the problem takes you by surprise with severe pain. In this case, you can alleviate the condition in the following ways:

• If the cracks are deep and constantly increasing in size, you can seal them with medical glue, which is sold at the pharmacy. It will prevent the wound from growing and will have an antimicrobial effect. Before using the glue, you need to wash your foot well and dry it with a towel. You can use this method several times before visiting a doctor; you cannot treat it this way all the time.
• If you cannot visit a doctor, then you should not carry out treatment for a week after applying the glue. If the procedure was carried out correctly, the wound under the glue should be actively healing. After a week, you can soak your feet in herbal baths and slowly peel off the dried glue along with the rough skin. Don't rub your heels too vigorously and try to remove the glue in one go. It is also necessary to apply moisturizer to the problem area throughout the day.
• If the cracks are small but cause inconvenience, it is necessary to wash them with chlorhexidine and lubricate them with levomekol. Repeat the procedure 2 times a day and soon the painful wounds will heal.
• Paraffin ointment is very effective for deep cracks. It is necessary to mix paraffin, beeswax and salicylic ointment, preheating. Apply the resulting mixture every day to deep cracks with a cotton pad at night, and put on clean socks on top. In the morning, the product must be washed off with water and soap.

Treatment

To get rid of the problem quickly, it is best to immediately contact a specialist who will quickly determine the problem of the disease and, if necessary, prescribe tests, as well as visit such specialized specialists as an endocrinologist and nutritionist. A dermatologist usually deals with the treatment of skin diseases, so first of all you need to contact to him.
If the cause of cracked heels is skin diseases, for example, foot fungus, then the doctor will prescribe special drug treatment aimed at eliminating the true cause of the problem. If the disease is associated with poor nutrition, a nutritionist will select the necessary diet. In case of hormonal disorders, it will be necessary to undergo a course of treatment with hormonal and other drugs.
In each individual case, the doctor selects treatment according to the patient’s condition, so it is impossible to create a general treatment plan. If the cause of the cracks is external factors, and not internal disorders in the body, then local antiseptics and healing agents will be prescribed as treatment.

Folk remedies

You can heal cracked heels using folk remedies, these can be various baths, healing lotions and compresses. You should not be treated with folk remedies if the wound has festered or is accompanied by severe pain, in which case you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

What to make a compress with

Ointments

• With essential oils. It is necessary to add 2-3 drops of chamomile and lavender essential oils to the baby cream and mix well. This cream should be applied to painful areas 3-4 times a day.
• From an egg. It is necessary to whisk the egg yolk, vinegar and vegetable oil until a homogeneous cream is obtained. This product should be applied to steamed heels before going to bed, wrap your feet with cling film on top and go to bed. In the morning, wash off the ointment with warm water.
• Curdled milk and butter. It is necessary to beat yogurt and butter in a blender in a 1:1 ratio, apply the resulting ointment to a steamed foot three times a day to speed up the healing of wounds.
• Regular Vaseline is very helpful in treating cracks. It is necessary to steam your feet, lubricate the cracks with Vaseline and seal them with a band-aid.

Baths

• With nettles. You need to take a 2 liter glass jar and pour 4 tbsp into it. crushed nettle leaves and pour boiling water over it. Close the jar with a lid and wrap it with a warm towel, leave until it cools completely. Before use, the infusion must be strained and heated, then poured into a basin and place the feet in it for 25 minutes. After the procedure, wipe your feet and apply salicylic acid ointment to painful areas, repeat the procedure every day before bed.
• With chamomile, calendula, string. It is necessary to mix all the herbs in equal proportions. 2 tbsp. Place the crushed mixture in a saucepan and add boiling water, simmer over low heat for 15 minutes, then set aside, cover and leave until completely cool. The broth should be strained and poured into a basin, diluted a little with warm water and placed in the foot bath for 15 minutes. Repeat the procedure every day for quick healing of cracks.
• With starch. Take 1 tbsp per liter of water. potato starch. In the resulting liquid, you need to steam your feet well and lightly rub them with a pumice stone. The duration of the procedure should be no more than 15 minutes, after which you need to lubricate your feet with a rich moisturizing cream, put clean cotton socks on your feet, and go to bed.
• With soda and soap. It is necessary to dissolve a tablespoon of soda and a tablespoon of natural soap in two liters of hot water. A bath with this solution should be done for 15-20 minutes; at the end of the procedure, the heels should be rubbed with a fine brush. The procedure must be repeated in a course of 10 days, a second course can be carried out after a month.

It is better to heal cracks using one recipe of baths and ointments or lotions. You should not use everything at once. Each recipe must be applied comprehensively for 10 days, steaming and moisturizing your feet, but you should not rub them with a pumice stone every day. If after a course of treatment with folk remedies there is no improvement, you need to consult a doctor to identify the exact cause of the problem.

Prevention

Prevention of the disease consists of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. First of all, you need to adjust your diet; it should contain a sufficient amount of fruits, vegetables and meat to cover the body’s needs for vitamins. Properly selected shoes also play an important role; uncomfortable shoes can not only provoke skin defects, but also such serious diseases as clubfoot and flat feet, especially in children.
If the patient is overweight, it would be a good idea to go in for sports to lose it, then the load on the feet will decrease and cracks will stop appearing. And if there is a tendency for problems to appear in the summer, you need to moisturize your skin daily and use gentle gels to wash your feet.
To quickly cure cracked heels, it is necessary to unload the foot so that the heel does not become even more injured. If possible, it is better to walk as little as possible during the treatment period. Once the wounds heal, you can continue your active lifestyle without daily suffering.