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Causes And Cure Of Heel Fissures. by Jeksman: 11:08pm On Sep 12, 2015 |
Cracked Heels:
Cracked heels are a sign of lack of attention to foot
care rather than just overexposure or lack of
moisturizing. Medically, cracked heels are also
known as heel fissures. Fissures are regular linear
cut wounds and mostly affect the surface level
which comprises of the epidermis. Sometimes it may
get deep into the dermis and become painful.
Excessive pressure on the feet pads make the feet
want to expand sideways. As the skin, surrounding
the sides of the feet are dry they crack and cause
cracked heels. Appearances of dry cracked heels
also indicate zinc and omega-3 fatty acid deficiency.
Though cracks in the skin may arise anywhere in the
body the most common is area is the rim of the heel
and web of toes, which happen to be the most
frequently or constantly used parts of our body. Dry
skin or xerosis is one of the most common causes
that lead to cracked heels .The other key reason
being thick or callus skin around the rim of the heel.
Most of the foot problems arise due to neglect and
oversight with regard to feet care. Cracked feet,
corns and other common feet ailments can be
attended to and are easily avoidable.
Cracked heels are not a harmful in anyway except
when the fissures or cracks are deep, and tend to
become painful and the skin begins to bleed. This
could lead to infection and is an avoidable situation
mostly for those already suffering from chronic
ailments such as diabetes or lowering immune
system due to age or illness which may retard the
treatment of cracked heels.
Cracked heels are a common occurrence for senior
citizens or people who are constantly on their feet
thus exerting pressure on the feet pad. In addition to
this, sebum production decreases with age and so
seniors tend to suffer from dry and cracked heels.
Excessively dry skin, peeling skin, and dry and
cracked skin on the heels are some of the most
common skin problems that seniors face. Dry skin
on the heels is often a recurrent problem. It can
affect either both the heels or one of the heel. But
most commonly, cracked heels affect both the feet.
Symptoms for Cracked Heels
Most Common Symptoms of Dry, Cracked Heels and
Feet
Signs and symptoms that surface on the skin are
simple indicators of a faulty internal activity or an
external abuse. If one observes the body and its
manifestations minutely one can avoid disease and
disorders by treating them before they take on a
destructive path. Similarly, feet care calls for a little
attention and when the feet finds it lacking they
indicate the following signs to show the feet could
do well with some care.
• Red or Flaky Patches: This is often one of the first
symptoms of dry cracked heels and if it is ignored,
the condition may worsen in time. Dry skin is also
vulnerable to dry skin infections and so it is
important to treat the condition right away.
• Peeling and Cracked Skin: This symptom generally
follows the first symptom of red or flaky skin.
Peeling and cracked skin is a definite sign of dry
cracked heels and immediate measures must be
taken to remedy the condition. Make sure that you
do not try to pull off the pieces of dry skin as this
could damage the skin it is attached to. If you need
to get rid of a long piece of dead sin you can use a
small pair of scissors to slowly and carefully clip
away the dead skin.
• Itchy Skin: Itchy skin is caused by the abnormal
shrinking of the upper layers of dry skin. This
excessive shrinking causes the stretching of the skin
below and around the affected areas and this results
in general discomfort and itchiness. You will have to
get rid of the upper layers of dead skin before you
start any type of treatment for dry cracked heels.
•Bleeding or Discharge from Cracks: Bleeding or
discharge from cracks in your heels is a very serious
problem as it indicates that the cracks not only
affect the upper layers of the skin but also the lower
layers of tissue. Deep cracks in the heels will also
increase an individual’s risk of suffering from a skin
infection in this area. Wearing closed shoes without
socks while you have dry and cracked heels will
only serve to further increase one’s risk of suffering
from a dry and cracked heels fungus infection as
closed shoes provide fungus and yeast infections
with the perfect habitat to reproduce.
Causes for Cracked Heels
Cracked Heels Symptoms, Causes, Remedy and Diet
Most Common Causes that Lead to Cracked Heels
Here is a compilation of the most common causes
that lead to cracked heels:
• Naturally dry skin or thick dry skin (callus) around
the heel that is more likely to crack is often due to
excessive feet activity.
• Prolonged standing at work or home .Hard floors
may also cause cracks in the feet.
• Being overweight may increase the pressure on the
normal fat pad under the heel, causing it to expand
sideways and if the skin lacks flexibility the
pressure on the feet lead to cracked heels.
• Back-open sandals or shoes allow the fat under the
heel to expand sideways and increases the
possibility of cracks on the heels.
• Disease and Disorders-Athlete’s foot, Psoriasis,
Eczema, Thyroid disease, Diabetes and some other
skin conditions may also cause cracked heels.
• Continuous exposure to water- Water, especially
running water, can rob the skin of its natural oils and
this can leave the skin dry and rough. Standing for
prolonged periods in a damp area such as a
bathroom can cause dry and cracked heels.
Here is a list of some other reasons that may lead to
cracked heels:
• Age - Thick dry scaly skin lose elasticity with age
and thus cracks have higher incidence with age.
• Ill fitting shoes, standing for a long time or change
in walking posture.
• Unhygienic circumstances or conditions
• Unhealthy, dry scaly skin due to climate or
diseases
• Deficiency of vitamins, minerals and zinc
Remedies for Cracked Heels
Natural Cures to Care for your Feet and Heels
Feet care is not a disorder one can be clueless
about. This is also one of the reasons why people
almost always neglect it. Primarily, feet care begins
with some care. One may seek help to cure their dry
cracked heels and feet by using relief measures that
include home remedy treatment options which help
treat fungus – one of the main causes of dry cracked
heels. Home remedies have some of the best cost
effective and result oriented solutions one can try
and experiment with. But it is important to note that
when home remedies do not cure cracked heels it is
wise to take an appointment with your general
physician. You can also consult him/her for further
information on dry cracked heels causes, treatment,
and prevention.
Here is a compilation of the best known remedies to
treat cracked heels:
• Apply any shortening or hydrogenated vegetable oil
after washing the feet clean on dry and cracked
areas of the feet. After applying a thick coat of
shortening on the feet, wear a pair of thick socks.
Leaving this application overnight can surely
provide positive results in few days.
• Apply the pulp of a ripe banana on the dry or
cracked area of the heel. Leave it on for 10 minutes
and rinse it clean. This is a simple dry cracked heels
home remedy and it can be used on a daily basis to
prevent and treat dry and cracked heels. You can
also add half an avocado or the flesh of half a
coconut to a blender along with the banana to form
a thick and creamy paste. Avocados and coconuts
are rich in several essential oils and fat soluble
vitamins. This paste will help to provide your skin
with the vitamins and oils it requires to stay soft
and well moisturized. This paste can be used to
treat as well as prevent dry cracked heels.
• Soak the feet in lemon juice for about 10minutes.
Follow this therapy on a weekly basis until one finds
a change. Lemon juice is a very mild natural acid
and helps to dissolve dead and dry skin son that it
can be easily removed. It is best to soak your feet in
a lemon juice solution and then lightly scrub it with
a loofa or soft foot brush to gently exfoliate the top
layers of dead skin that cause dry cracked heels.
• A daily regime of cleaning and moisturizing is a
good cure for dry or cracked heels. At the end of the
day soak the feet in warm soapy water for about 15
minutes. Rinse feet and pat dry. Make a healing
mixture comprising of: one teaspoon Vaseline and
the juice of one lemon. Rub this mixture onto the
cracked heels and other required areas of the feet till
it is thoroughly absorbed. This can be done daily
until visible results are obtained. It is best to apply
this mixture to your feet right before you go to bed.
You can then pull on a pair of thick woolen socks to
protect your linen from getting stained. Furthermore,
the woolen socks will help to trap your body heat
and this will increase the effectiveness of the
mixture as more of it will be absorbed by your skin.
You can exfoliate your skin before and after you use
this mixture. The oils in this mixture will help to
soften dry and cracked heels and this will allow you
to easily slough off the dead skin the next morning.
• A regular application of a mixture of glycerin and
rosewater is known to soothe and cure cracked
heels.
• Another result oriented solution is to melt paraffin
wax and mix it well with little mustard oil. Apply on
the dry or cracked area of the heels. Rinse it off in
the morning. A continuous application for 10 to15
days can achieve desirable results.
• To get rid of the dry skin on your heels, you should
exfoliate your feet on a regular basis. Avoid harsh
cosmetic exfoliating scrubs and instead you can
make your own gentle and natural scrub with honey,
apple cider vinegar, and rice flour. You will fist have
to grind a handful of rice until your get a fine but
coarse flour. After that, add a few spoons of raw
honey to the mixture along with enough apple cider
vinegar to obtain a thick paste. If the cracks are very
deep, you can add a spoon of olive oil or sweet
almond oil to the paste. Soak your feet for 20
minutes and then gently massage them with this
paste. The vinegar in this cracked heel treatment will
help to dissolve the thickened layers of dead skin
while the rice flour will gently abrade the top layer of
dead skin. Honey and olive oil act as natural
moisturizers and will help to keep the skin on your
feet soft and moisturized and this will prevent
further cracking.
• Many cracked heel repair creams that are avoidable
in the market today contain chemicals that can
aggravate your skin and increase discomfort. You
can make your own moisturizing cracked heel cream
by mixing together a spoon of olive oil along with a
few drops of lemon oil or lavender oil. Pour this
blend of oils into a small bottle and add an equal
amount of water to it. Shake the contents thoroughly
so that the water and oil form a thick milky solution.
Use this homemade remedy for dry cracked heels as
and when it is needed. Make sure that you shake the
solution before you use it.
Consume a Diet Rich in Calcium, Iron, Zinc and
Omega-3 Fats
Cracked heels are caused by deficiency of vitamins,
minerals, zinc and omega 3 fatty acids. Therefore it
is essential to have a diet rich in vitamins, minerals
and zinc. Omega-3 fatty acids are not naturally
produced by the body, therefore it has to be
ingested from food or supplements.
Here is list of essential foods that one can include
in a regular meal and help curb deficiencies that
may cause cracked heels:
• Vitamins (Vitamin E) rich foods include: vegetable
oils, green vegetables, cereals, wheat germ, whole-
grain products and nuts.
• Minerals (Calcium and Iron) rich foods include :
1. Calcium: Milk, cheese, yogurt, goat’s milk,
fortified soya milk, mineral water, ice cream, tinned
fish, juices, cereals and broccoli are excellent
sources of calcium. Dairy products such as milk and
yogurt are also considered as one of the best
sources of calcium.
2. Iron: Meat, chicken and fish are good sources of
iron. Iron is also available in cereals, eggs,
vegetables and beans; however it is not as easily
absorbed into the body as the iron from meat,
chicken and fish.
3. Zinc Rich Foods Include: Oysters, chicken, crab,
kidney beans, yogurt, brown rice, spaghetti.
4. Omega-3 Fatty Acids are Largely Found In:
Purslane herb, cold water fish, and flaxseed oil or
flax seeds.
Here are some simple suggestions towards caring
for the feet effortlessly:
• Keep feet clean and dirt free
• Exercise the feet regularly
• Alternate hot and cold water for a feet bath to
soothe the feet
• Moisturize and exfoliate the feet whenever possible
• Avoid walking bare feet as much as possible
• Avoid spending prolonged periods in a wet or
damp area. When washing clothes, make sure that
your feet are well protected. If you are hand washing
any items of clothing, make sure that the soapy
water does not splash onto your feet. Detergents are
meant to break down oils and so this will leave the
skin on your heels dry and cracked.
• Soak your feet in warm water at least once a week
as this will help to increase blood circulation to your
feet. You can add a spoon of fresh mint leaf juice to
the water for relief from dry cracked heels.
• After a shower, apply a little moisturizer to your
heels as this will help to seal in moisture and
prevent cracking.
Besides using natural methods and the best creams
available in the market one could also use shoes
that are specially designed for treatment and repair
of dry cracked heels.
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