Cracked heels

[Admin]

Cracked heels
Cracked heels are a very common foot problem, oten referred to as heel fissures. They are caused by dry skin and made more complicated if the skin around the edge of the heel is thick. They can be painful to stand on and the skin can bleed.

Some people tend to have a naturally dry skin that makes the skin easy to crack. The thickened dry skin (callus) around the heel that is more likely to crack is often due to mechanical factors that increase pressures in that area (eg the way you walk).

Factors that can also be involved in the cause of cracked heel skin include:
* prolonged standing
* being overweight
* open back on the shoes
* some medical conditions predispose to a drying skin (eg diabetes)
* skin conditions (eg psoriasis)

Self treatment for cracked heels:
* Applying an oil based moisturizing cream twice daily is really important to get on top of this problem. A pumice stone can be used to reduce the thickness of the hard skin. After looking at the 'tomato' analogy above it should be obvious why it is important to avoid open backed shoes or thin soled shoes.
* Never try to reduce the hard skin your self with a razor blade or a pair of scissors. There is a risk of an infection developing and taking too much off.

The podiatric treatment of cracked heels may involve the following:
* investigating the cause of the problem, so this can be addressed
* removing the hard thick skin by debriding it (often the splits will not heal if the skin is not removed). This may need to be done on a regular basis. Regular maintenance may be the best way to prevent the problem.
* if very painful, strapping may be used to 'hold' the cracks together while they heal (a maintenance program after this to prevent recurrence is very important).
* prescription and advice regarding the most appropriate moisturizer or emollient.
* advice about footwear and self care of the problem.
insoles may be used to alter the way you walk to prevent the thick skin from developing (these are indicated in cases of heel callus and are not suitable for all cases).
* a heel cup may be used to keep the fat pad from expanding sideways. This is worn in the shoe and can be very effective at prevention if used regularly.
* on rare occasions some Podiatrists and Dermatologists have used a tissue 'glue' to hold the edges of the skin together, so the cracks can heal.

Reference: ePodiatry
Podiatry Arena's threads on heel fissures

[Franciz]

I want to add the following tips:

-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.

-Soak the feet in lemon juice for about 10minutes. Follow this therapy on a weekly basis until one finds a change.

-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.

-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.

[christenajenifer]

Cracked heels are very common. They can be painful, unattractive, and very upsetting - especially to those of us who love sandals.

3 Effective Ways To Cure Cracked Heels

1.Soak your heels in lukewarm water and use a pumice-stone to scrub off dead skin to smooth the heels or use a foot scrub after soaking the feet in lukewarm water. Apply a deep moisturizing lotion or Vaseline and put on the socks to cover it for sometime. This method will protect the feet from excessive dryness.
2. You could also heat up some Coconut oil, add some wax into it and after cooling apply it onto your heels.
3. Another solution is to melt paraffin wax and mix it well with little mustard oil. Apply on the affected area of your heels. Wash it off in the morning. Do this for 10 or 15 days and see the difference.

[goodhealthmed]

Thank you very much for all the information on treating cracked heels.. This has been a problem my mother has been complaining ever since. There are times creams work, other times, they don't. Cracked heels are really not pleasant to look at.