The so called cracks occur in the superficial layers and in most instances it may not be extending to deep layers of the heels and therefore will most likely to be asymptomatic. But, for some, having cracked heels could be both discomforting and cosmetically disheartening and unless an intervention is made activities of daily living could become hampered.
What causes cracked heels?
Being a thick layer of skin, cracking is the painful outcome of extreme pressures that the heel has to undergo each day along with extremely harsh conditions it has to encounter while performing its functions. Such pressures and harsh conditions can cause minute cracks in the superficial layers of the heel to expand and become deeper while it will be augmented by the presence of calluses and excessive dryness of the skin.
Who are most susceptible to develop cracked heels?
Although it can appear in anyone, it is more common among those who devote less attention to take care of their feet. At the same time, the elderly, people with thicker skin over the heel, people whom would have to exert more pressures on the heel as in the case of prolonged standing, walking…etc are also having a higher incidence although many other factors can aggravate this condition among susceptible individuals.
How to get rid of cracked heels?
In order to get rid of cracked heels, one may have to undertake multiple measures. Thus, following are some of the methods which can be easily incorporated into your day to day practices while some would require perseverance and mindfulness to obtain the best results.
-Keep the sole of the feet including the heel clean and moist.
Thus, before going to sleep, washing the sole of the feet thoroughly with soap and water will soften the surface layers and will help in getting rid of dead tissues from the surface which can contribute to cracking of the feet.
-Apply a moisturizing lotion on the feet including the sole and keep it covered during sleep.
-If excessive calluses are formed in the sole of the feet, application of lotions containing lactic acid and glycolic acid before bed time will help exfoliation and therefore to thin out the calluses just enough for moisturizing agents to penetrate the sole. It will therefore improve the softening of the heel. Similarly, rubbing a pumice stone will also be helpful to get rid of the excessive skin during the bath time.
-Use an antifungal agent in case there is a obvious infection to be seen or else can make use of an antibacterial cream as a prophylaxis treatment to prevent a possible bacterial infection from taking place.
-Wear shoes with a closed back when you are suffering from cracked heels as it will reduce the pressures exerted on the heel and therefore will prevent the formation of cracks to a certain extent while allowing existing cracks to heal.
By adhering to these strategies, one can get rid of them to a certain extent although it may not be as easy as it is said when it comes to curing cracked heels which takes place with age. Source:
Dr Pandula Siribaddana.
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