Sometimes, cracked heels are caused by a medical condition, such as diabetes. If your dry, cracked heels are severe or do not improve after following these tips, talk to a board-certified dermatologist.
my feet are cracked and dry
You can get rid of thick, dead skin on the feet by using a foot peel. This product involves wearing a pair of plastic socks for one hour; the exfoliating chemicals within the socks will soak into the feet and allow dead skin to peel away over the course of multiple days. Some people may have a sensitivity to the exfoliating chemicals, so be sure to read the product ingredient list beforehand. Foot peels are available online and at many drug stores.
You can heal cracked feet using a daily foot cream containing an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) such as glycolic acid or lactic acid. Lanolin-based products are also a popular choice for retaining moisture in the feet. If foot creams or lotions do not help heal cracked feet, it may be a good idea to visit a dermatologist.
The bottoms of your feet could be peeling due to sunburn, eczema, dry weather, athlete's foot, psoriasis, genetics, dehydration, or even reactive arthritis. The best way to remedy the peeling is by treating the underlying reason for it. If athlete's foot or eczema are the cause of foot peeling, a podiatrist can offer specialized treatment such as medicated creams for dry feet.
Cracked heels, also known as fissures, can be a nuisance but can occasionally lead to more serious problems if left untreated. Treat them by giving your feet a little more attention, beginning with moisturizing them at least twice a day. Look for thick moisturizers (Eucerin, Cetaphil, others). Some moisturizers contain skin-softening agents, such as urea, salicylic acid or alpha hydroxy acid, which may help remove dead skin. They may cause slight stinging or irritation.
Give your heels extra attention before going to bed: Soak your feet for about 10 minutes in plain or soapy water and pat dry. Then gently rub your heels with a loofah or foot scrubber to help remove dead skin. Apply a heavier, oil-based cream or petroleum jelly (Vaseline, Aquaphor Healing Ointment, others), then slip on a pair of thin cotton socks at bedtime to help the moisturizer work.
Don't ignore dry, cracked heels, as over time you may develop deeper fissures, which increases your risk of infection. If self-care measures don't help, talk with your doctor about other treatment options.
Heels can crack when the skin around the rim of your heel becomes dry and thick, and increased pressure on the fat pad under the heel causes the skin to split. A number of factors can raise the risk of developing cracked heels, including obesity, wearing open-heel footwear such as sandals, and having cold, dry skin. Friction from the back of your shoes can make heel dryness and cracking worse. Wearing supportive, properly fitting, closed shoes with socks may ease symptoms. Losing excess weight also can relieve pressure on your heels and reduce cracking.
To combat dry skin, moisturize your feet often. Moisturizers provide a seal over your skin to keep water from escaping and your skin from drying out. Products that contain lanolin, petroleum jelly, glycerin, ceramides, lactic acid, alpha hydroxyl acid or salicylic acid usually help. Moisturize as frequently as you can, especially before you go to bed. Then put on a pair of socks to lock in the moisture overnight.
Cracked heels are a common foot problem. One survey found that 20 percent of adults in the United States experience cracked skin on their feet. This can occur in both adults and children, and seems to affect women more often than men.
Some heel balms may cause minor stinging or irritation. This is normal. Consult your doctor if the balm continues to bother you or causes severe reactions. Severe cases of cracked heels may require a prescription-strength balm or steroid cream to help reduce inflammation and relieve itching.
The skin around cracked heels is often thicker and drier than the rest of your skin. This skin tends to split when you apply pressure. Soaking and moisturizing your feet can help with this. Here are some tips.
Honey may work as a natural remedy for cracked heels. According to a 2012 review, honey has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Research shows that honey can help heal and cleanse wounds, and moisturize the skin. You can use honey as a foot scrub after a soak, or apply it as a foot mask overnight.
The first sign of cracked heels is having areas of dry, thickened skin, known as callouses, around the rim of your heel. As you walk, the fat pad under your heel expands. This causes your callouses to crack.
Dry skin often appears on the heels and sides of the feet and between the toes. It may make the affected area feel itchy, tight, and even painful. Although this may be irritating, it is rarely harmful.
Foot peels are popular chemical exfoliators that manufacturers have designed specifically for the feet. Some foot peels contain artificial fragrances and alcohols that can irritate sensitive skin, so it is important to check the list of ingredients for any potential allergens or irritants before buying a foot peel.
Regularly moisturizing the feet will help reduce existing dry skin and prevent new dry skin from accumulating. Moisturizing the feet after using an exfoliator or a pumice stone will help the skin lock in moisture.
Gel-lined socks contain natural oils and vitamins that help hydrate and repair dry skin on the feet. The individual just needs to slip on a pair and wear them around the house for a few hours. Afterward, they can place the socks in the washing machine and let them air-dry.
People can get similar results using their usual moisturizer and a good pair of cotton socks. At bedtime, they can apply a generous amount of moisturizer to the feet before slipping on a pair of breathable, cotton socks. In the morning, they should remove the socks and rinse the feet.
Wearing the wrong shoes or spending too much time standing can result in dry, itchy feet and areas of irritated or scaly skin. Without treatment, dry skin can thicken and crack open, leaving the feet vulnerable to infection.
People can use pumice stones, exfoliators, and foot soaks to remove dry skin from their feet at home. Regularly applying moisturizer and removing dead skin will help keep the feet healthy and hydrated.
People who have severely dry skin on their feet might want to consider contacting a specialist foot doctor called a podiatrist or another healthcare professional to discuss possible treatment options.
Cracked heels may be unsightly, but they usually don't cause serious issues. Occasionally, severely cracked heels can get infected and lead to a skin infection called cellulitis. No matter what the cause of your cracked heels, there are steps you can take to treat them. There are also ways to keep your heels from cracking in the first place.
When the skin around your heels becomes dry and thick, it can be the start of cracked heels. Extra pressure on the fat pad of your heels can cause dry, thick skin to form cracks, or heel fissures. While anyone can develop heel fissures, some things make them more likely, including:
Moisturize your feet at least twice daily. You can buy over-the-counter moisturizers with ingredients that help remove the dead skin on your heels or retain moisture. Look for products with ingredients like:
Wash your feet every day. Use warm water to wash your feet. Dry them well, making sure you get between your toes because the skin there tends to stay wet. Then apply cornstarch or talcum powder between your toes. This will keep the skin dry and help prevent infection.
Wear supportive footwear. Start with clean, lightly padded socks that fit well. Wear shoes that fit and support your feet. Shop for shoes at the end of the day, since feet tend to swell as the day goes on.
Protect your feet from temperature extremes. Make sure you wear shoes at the beach and on hot pavement. Use sunscreen to protect exposed areas of your feet. If your feet get cold at night, wear socks to bed. In the winter, wear lined waterproof boots to keep your feet warm and dry.
Create an oatmeal bath by searching for an easy recipe online. You probably have many of the items needed to create the bath in your kitchen cupboard. If not, all of the ingredients are reasonable in price and you can easily grab them at your local grocery store. Soak your feet in this soothing mixture with lukewarm water and relax. After about 20 minutes, remove your feet with a clean towel and carefully pat your feet and ankles dry. Then to lock in moisture, try coating your feet in a hydrating lotion, cocoa butter, or olive oil. Your feet and ankles should be silky smooth.
If you would rather try other ways to manage the symptoms of your cracked heels and dry feet, you can simply visit the skin care aisle and grab a hydrating cream or lotion with shea butter or aloe. Other lotion ingredients like salicylic acid, alpha-hydroxy acid, saccharide isomerate, and urea can all ease symptoms of dry feet. These products vary in price and last for an undetermined amount of time.
If you tend to treat yourself to pedicures, ask your nail technician if you can add a paraffin wax treatment to your session. The technician will cover your feet in warm, melted wax after they have cleaned your feet. Once the wax has slightly cooled, they will remove it, revealing soft, smooth, and moisturized skin. Depending on the dryness of your feet and the cracks in your heels, you could get relief for a few days.
Should these remedies not provide you with the relief you had hoped for, your doctor might be able to help. After your doctor reviews your situation, they may prescribe an oral antibiotic if they determine that the cause of your dry feet or cracked heels is an infection. If your dry feet or cracked heels are not because of an infection, your doctor may suggest a prescription version of a hydrocortisone cream. 2ff7e9595c
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