12 ways to treat cracked heels in winter

(Baonghean.vn) - Cracked heels are very common in winter due to dry weather and changes in our diet. This is a fairly common disease, although not dangerous, it causes pain, loss of aesthetics and difficulty in daily activities. Meanwhile, each person's constitution is different, so the symptoms, causes and treatments are also different.

Expression

Symptoms include peeling and cracked heels, itching and bleeding from cracks that allow bacteria, fungi or viruses to enter. Cracked heels not only cause aesthetic loss for the patient but also cause pain and discomfort, affecting walking and daily activities. Especially when the heel area cracks a lot, bleeds, creating deep grooves that are easily infected, which can lead to complications of foot necrosis if not treated promptly. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent and treat cracked heels properly and effectively.

Reason

The causes of cracked heels are very diverse, but in general there are 3 conditions that contribute to the progression of cracked heels: dry skin due to loss of moisture, excessive pressure on the heels for a long time and disease.

Specifically, as we age, our skin becomes thinner and drier. Due to the cold and dry winter weather, the skin becomes dry and dehydrated. The heels often lose their natural moisture due to: Not moisturizing the feet regularly, the body is dehydrated or does not drink enough water, using soaps with strong detergents, bathing water that is too hot, soaking feet in hot water for too long or too often, using high temperatures to dry the feet... causing the outer layer of the skin on the feet to thicken and easily dry and crack.

Meanwhile, excessive pressure on the heel comes from: walking or standing for long periods of time, especially on hard floors. Obesity or pregnancy increases the pressure on the normal fat pad under the heel, causing it to “shove” to the sides, then if the skin is not elastic and flexible, the pressure can cause cracks. Shoes that do not have cushioning to support the heel… make the heel very susceptible to cracking.

People with certain disorders or diseases such as hypothyroidism, psoriasis, eczema, atopic dermatitis, especially diabetes… can also lead to cracked heels. People taking antihistamines and diuretics are also considered to have dry heels. Excluding the cause of aging due to decreased activity of sweat glands in the feet, young people who lack essential vitamins and minerals can also cause cracked heels.

In addition, environmental factors such as exposure to very cold or hot outdoor temperatures, while the indoor environment is too dry can also cause cracked heels. Some other causes are women wearing open-heeled sandals every day or not caring for and maintaining proper foot hygiene, which also creates a thick, calloused layer of heel skin, which is very susceptible to cracking when exposed to dry weather.

12 effective ways to treat cracked heels

1. Massage:

Take 10 minutes every day to massage and moisturize your feet to help your skin become softer and smoother.

2. Use coconut oil

Coconut oil is very popular nowadays because it has many beauty uses. You can also make your own coconut oil to treat cracked heels. For best results, you should clean your feet and apply coconut oil to your heels, put on a pair of clean socks and go to bed, when you wake up in the morning, wash your feet with warm water.

3. Use honey

Honey has great moisturizing and antibacterial properties, so it is a great herbal remedy for cracked heels. Mix a cup of honey into a basin of warm water. Gently scrub your feet for 10 minutes.

4. Use mustard

Apply mustard on your feet and massage gently, wear socks to bed and your feet will be softer the next morning.

5. Use banana or papaya

These two fruits contain a lot of vitamins and are a miracle cure for cracked heels, it has the effect of moisturizing your heels. The method is also very simple. You take a ripe banana, preferably one with freckles or spots on the skin, or a piece of very ripe papaya, and mash it very well. Apply the papaya or mashed banana on your cracked heels, wait for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Do this every day, your heels will become soft and no longer cracked.

6. Use rice bran

Rice bran contains a lot of vitamin B, and is a natural herb that helps exfoliate dead skin cells. You just need to add a little coconut oil and honey to thicken the mixture. Apply this mixture to the cracked heels and leave it for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Do this every day, your heels will become soft, no longer cracked. This is a simple and cost-effective way to treat cracked heels, used by many rural women.

7. Use rose water

Mix rose water with glycerin and apply it on your heels for 20 minutes. Then wash your feet with normal water. If you do this regularly every day, you will have soft and smooth heels in just one month.

8. Use lemon

The acidity in lemons will remove dead skin and regenerate new skin. You just need to mix lemon juice with a basin of warm water and soak your feet for about 15 minutes, then rinse with clean water. The amount of vitamin C in lemons helps brighten the skin and is an excellent moisturizer.

9. Use olive oil

Apply olive oil to your heels before going to bed and wear thin socks to let the oil soak in. If you don’t like creams and special medications for cracked heels, you can use natural products to get soft heels. Olive oil is a perfect choice because it has a very good moisturizing and softening effect on the skin.

10. Use warm salt water

Salt has the effect of softening the skin and killing bacteria. Soak your hands and feet in a basin of warm salt water to relax and soften the skin, exfoliate, and avoid the risk of dry, cracked, and peeling skin in cold and dry weather.

11. Use creams to treat cracked heels.

There are many products on the market to treat cracked heels. To be effective, you need to combine skin care with using specialized creams to treat cracked heels. A good product must first of all reduce the symptoms quickly, with results visible within 5 days of use. The product must simultaneously have 3 effects: exfoliate, soften and moisturize the skin by forming a protective layer to significantly reduce the symptoms of thickened and cracked skin. Absolutely do not use scissors or razors to shave the thick skin layer, as this will make the skin susceptible to infection and the cracking condition will not improve.

12. Do not let the wound come into contact with water:

“The key is to avoid water at all costs,” says dermatologist Dr. Joseph. “Think of water as an acid that destroys your hands (and feet). When you wash your feet, the protective oils are also washed away. So your skin becomes dehydrated very quickly, making your hands and feet even drier.”

How to prevent cracked heels in winter

- Keep your feet clean:

+ Every time you come home from outside, you should take off your shoes and wash your feet to remove dirt.

+ Always keep your feet dry and clean at home.

+ Do not walk barefoot on floors or surfaces with rough, uneven surfaces.

- Wear shoes that fit your feet.

- Scientific diet, should supplement foods containing zinc and Omega 3.

- Do not soak your feet in hot water, only soak your feet in warm salt water for 15 minutes every day. Each time you wash your feet, use a small piece of pumice to scrub your heels.

– Do not overuse soap and dry your feet.

- Especially in winter, you should drink enough water to ensure that your body is not dehydrated. You should drink 2 - 4 liters/day.

For those who have followed the proper skin care regimen as above but still have cracked, peeling skin, you should see a dermatologist for timely diagnosis and treatment because you may have atopic dermatitis.

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