Cracked heels are a condition in which the skin on the heel becomes dry, hard, rough, cracked and splits into sheets. If the cracks reach the inner skin, it may cause bleeding or pain. Cracked heels are a common occurrence, but they tend to occur during the cold. Dry winter months and are a real problem for many people.

Most cracked heels are not serious and can be treated by yourself. There are many ways to treat cracked heels at home, which are easy and not harmful to your health. However, you should study the precautions of each method to ensure your health is safe. สนใจสมัคร? คลิกที่นี่เพื่อเริ่มต้น However, if the cracked heel problem is more severe, medical treatment may also be necessary.

Causes of cracked heels

Cracked heels can occur for a number of reasons, such as: 

• Being in dry or cold climates
• Walking barefoot on hot or very hot surfaces
• Drinking too little water can lead to dehydration 
• Not applying moisturizer that helps moisturize the skin
• Bathing or soaking your feet in water that is too hot for too long or too frequently 
• Foot rubbing and wearing shoes that are not gentle on the feet. Or shoes that expose the surface of the feet too much
• Having certain health conditions, such as being overweight, obese, or having diabetes.

People who are obese or diabetic may easily develop cracked heels. This is because people who are obese and their weight increases the pressure on the soles of their feet. Which can lead to cracked heels. In diabetic patients, the nerves in the feet are damaged. By uncontrolled blood sugar levels , which can cause dry, cracked skin on the heels. If not treated properly, it can also lead to serious infections. 

How to treat cracked heels

There are methods for treating cracked heels, including simple self-care methods. That can be followed at home in cases where cracked heels are not severe, and medical treatment methods in cases where cracked heels are severe or result from other health conditions. Each method of treating cracked heels has different details as follows:

1. Using medications or products that moisturize the skin

It is the use of creams or medicines that have properties to specifically treat cracked skin in this manner, such as creams containing Dimethicone. The medicine will increase moisture to the skin, reduce thick and rough skin from dry skin, which  is a major factor causing cracked heels. 

There are also natural skin creams or oils such as coconut oil, olive oil, castor oil or sesame oil which have properties to help moisturize the skin and prevent dry and cracked skin. They can be applied to the heels to help reduce cracked heels, but they are most effective. When applied after showering while the skin is still damp.

2. Use of petroleum jelly

Petroleum jelly is a liquid gel that is applied to moisturize the skin. And helps restore dry, cracked skin on the heels. It should be applied before going to bed and then worn with socks so that the cracked skin on the heels can absorb the moisture from the gel throughout the night while you sleep.

3. Drinking enough clean water

Drinking too little water not only causes dry mouth and throat, affecting various systems in the body from dehydration, but it can also affect skin health, causing dry and cracked skin. Therefore, you should drink enough water to meet your body’s needs to help increase moisture to the skin and bring dry and cracked skin on your heels back to normal.

4. Choosing soap that has skin-nourishing properties

Using soap with strong chemical ingredients can dry out your skin. Therefore, you should choose a soap formula that is gentle on your skin to prevent skin allergies, irritation, or dry, cracked skin. In addition, you should choose to use soap that contains moisturizer  to nourish your skin and add moisture to your skin in another way.

5. Medical treatment for cracked heels

Medical treatment may be required if cracked heels are severe, such as swelling, redness. Severe pain in the cracked heel area. Or if there is pus and the symptoms do not improve despite trying various home remedies. 

There are many medical treatments for cracked heels, such as surgically removing some of the dry, cracked skin, prescribing pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medications, or creams containing urea or salicylic acid,  bandaging the wound to reduce the cracks in the skin, and adding insoles to reduce pressure on the heel.

Easy tips to prevent cracked heels

Cracked heels can be prevented if you follow these tips.

• Take a shower at the right temperature, do not take a shower that is too hot, and do not soak your feet in hot water for too long.
• If you live in dry or cold climates, you may not need to shower every day, or shower no more than once a day, and you should not shower for too long.
• Choose a soap that has moisturizing properties that does not dry out the skin, and always apply moisturizer to help replenish moisture to the skin.
• Avoid walking barefoot on hot surfaces, as this can dry out the skin on your feet.
• Avoid wearing flip-flops or shoes that are too tight and should be rotated. Not wearing the same pair of shoes every day.
• Check your feet regularly for any wounds, cracks, swelling or pain, and consult your doctor or specialist for proper treatment.

However, if the cracked heel is swollen, red, very painful, has pus. And the symptoms do not improve after using various self-treatment methods, you should see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and timely treatment to prevent other serious symptoms from occurring.