Sport Good natural care and home remedies that ensure deep hydration and avoid infections are key to preventing and curing cracks in the heels.
A few days ago we told you about the importance of caring for and training our feet, as the fundamental basis of our body posture. In this video by Noe Todea he gives you the essential guide:
But we must not forget about the heels, which are also an important part of the body and are the essential axis of movement. Its anatomical structure as part of the foot is wonderful. However, many people do not take care of their feet. In fact, some only remember that they have feet and heels when summer arrives and they want to look good in sandals. But when cracks appear on the heels, things change… and we want to take care of ourselves.
Some cracked heels denote dryness, possible infection or deterioration of the skin, cause pain, itching, bleeding and even difficulty walking or sleeping.
Sport Why do heels crack?
Experience shows that many people do not take care of their feet. They do not take care of them either well or badly, they do not take care of them directly, and they have had hardness in the heels and other parts of the foot for so long that, when the first cracks appear in the heels, they are not aware of having them until they hurt, itch or prevent walking.
- The skin of the heelsmainly due to contact with footwear, hardens to protect the calcaneus, which is the bone that forms the heel.
- But this hardening implies that the skin thickens over time, dries out and can later “crack”: it breaks. And that’s when cracks form.
- Cracked heels hurt, ache, itch, and sting. Cracks can bleed and can easily become infected by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.
- Footwear: The footwear we use is one of the most common causes, either because it is very tight or because it is too big for us and the heel moves when we walk. The inner fabric of the shoe may be damaging the heel and irritating the skin, so that the skin defends itself with inflammation, later with thickening and hence the formation of cracks.
- Walking barefoot without proper foot care: Walking barefoot on sand, dirt, or simply at home has many benefits, but keep in mind that the skin on our heels hardens to protect itself and us. If we do not take care of it, cracks can occur.
- Inadequate habits at home: I have seen many cases of people who, when it is hot, clean the floors at home barefoot and expose their feet to cleaning products, which is a risk, since they can irritate and damage not only the heels, but also the general skin of the feet
- Dry Skin: Dry skin, in general, has an easier time “breaking” and forming cracks or erosions. Skin can become dry and damaged from extreme cold and/or lack of regular care.
- Continuous humidity: Although it may seem counterintuitive, having your feet in water for a long time or continuously can remove the natural protection of the skin, which can cause irritation and cracks.
- Foot sweat: If the sweat is kept for too long by closed shoes or fabrics such as tights or socks that do not perspire… the skin becomes inflamed, and cracks may appear on the heels.
- skin conditions: There may be dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis and allergy to dyes or shoe and clothing fabrics in contact with the feet as an underlying cause.
- Overweight: Since the feet, and the heels in particular, support the weight of our body, cracks can appear as a result of being overweight.
- Aging: The skin ages and in the elderly it may be easier to suffer from cracked heels.
- Carelessness: Many people do not take care of their feet due to lack of habit or ignorance, but there is also a part of the population that lives alone and/or due to their physical conditions, they cannot reach the soles of their feet and do not take care of them. Attending to this need is important, on the part of the caregivers and/or requesting professional help.
Sport Home care for heel care
1º Hydration of the heels
If you already have cracked heels, use a moisturizing cream or ointment on this area of the foot 3-4 times a day, especially after bathing or soaking your feet, remembering the importance of drying them well with a soft, natural tissue. When you no longer have cracked heels, remember to moisturize and soften the skin on your heels and the entire foot before going to sleep.
Use products that contain emollient ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, calendula or chamomile oil, or vegetable glycerin. All of them soften and help keep the skin soft and hydrated. Calendula and chamomile also have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
2º Soften and exfoliate hard cracks
- If the cracks or heels are very hard, you can do foot baths for about 15 minutes with warm water, which is not annoying.
- You can add sea salt, a little vinegar, a few drops of calendula oil, lavender, tea tree or one or two bags of chamomile, for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
- After the foot bath, the hardened part will be softer and can be gently removed (exfoliated) with a special foot file that you can disinfect.
- Apply the moisturizing and protective cream afterwards. If you have discomfort, you can apply the cream and put on a gauze pad and then a cotton sock: in this way, the protective product stays in contact with the skin for longer
3º Exfoliate the heels
- This is a care that can be done when you are taking a shower, since the water already softens the skin of the heels, whether you have cracks or not.
- If you don’t have cracked heels, exfoliating once or twice a week will suffice and should be gentle.
- If you have cracks, do it as we have discussed above. After exfoliating, apply ointment or protective ointment.
- To heal deep cracks, very hard or that bleed or ooze, or if you feel pain, stings or simply can’t take care of your feet well, seek professional help. Don’t let it.
Some people use petroleum jelly or glycerin to prevent foot cracks or for when the cracks are mild and there is no bleeding or infection. It is a very common remedy for cracked heels and has been used for a long time, also preventively when you know you are going to walk or run a lot, to protect the foot. Vaseline or glycerin is applied to the heels and then the sock and shoe are properly positioned.
- So much Vaseline like glycerin They can be found alone or as a base for protective ointments or ointments to prevent irritation. Now, they are different compounds and it is convenient to know the differences.
- Vaseline is a mixture of hydrocarbons that comes from petroleum. Today it is purified and is one of the most used products to protect the skin, not only on the feet but also on other areas, such as the lips, that may be exposed to dryness or extreme weather.
- Vaseline isolates and prevents the loss of hydration or moisture from the skin. Some people prefer not to use it due to its origin.
Glycerin it is a fat (vaseline is not a fat) and is usually of animal origin, although vegetable glycerin also exists. It has emollient and softening properties, so it protects and relieves the discomfort of cracked heels.
- Vegetable-based glycerin is often labeled as glycerol and comes mainly from coconut oil or palm oil fats.
5º Pumice stone
The pumice stone is widely used to exfoliate the skin of the feet and especially the heels, but you must apply it gently and after having soaked the feet, not dry. If you push too hard, it can damage and irritate you.
- Remember to wash the stone very well, at least with soap and water once used, both to remove dead skin and to disinfect it.
Take care of both the skin of your feet and the rest of the body. When you put cream on your body after the shower, don’t forget your wonderful feet, the back, soles, fingers and heels.