Skin cracks on the heels of the feet

It would seem that banal cracks on the heels of the legs, but how much torment and unpleasant moments are associated with them. They don't come from nowhere. On gentle, well-groomed and elastic feet, such a defect cannot appear. It is preceded by dryness, peeling, coarsening of the skin. Why it happens?

Epidemiology

To know the statistics of heel cracks, you need to keep a record of this problem in a medical institution. Since most often people themselves struggle with them or turn to beauty salons, there is no exact data on this. Nevertheless, one often hears about such a nuisance, especially from women during menopause, when the hormonal background changes.

Causes of the cracks in the heels of the feet

The condition of the heels is most often a reflection of internal factors. This may indicate:

• lack of vitamins A, E, F (polyunsaturated fatty acids), iron;
• dermatological disease, in particular, fungal infection;
• pathology of the digestive organs;
• hormonal disorders;
• endocrine diseases, including diabetes.

Read more about other causes of cracked heels  here .

Risk factors

Several factors contribute to the roughness of the skin of the heels, followed by the formation of cracks:

• lack of foot care or its improper organization;
• violation of the drinking regime;
• walking barefoot (not only in summer in nature, but also a tendency to such a form of self-expression as bare footing);
• tight uncomfortable shoes;
• artificial material from which it is made, which does not allow the epidermis to "breathe", synthetic socks.

Pathogenesis

The epidermis is the outer multi-layered part of the skin, which includes 5 types of epithelium. The most superficial is formed by horny scales as a result of keratinization of deeper cells. Protein substances keratins and fats enter the stratum corneum, due to which the skin acquires elasticity and strength. It is updated all the time and is a kind of protective mechanism. Violation of this process leads to thickening of the epidermis, microdamages.

Symptoms of the cracks in the heels of the feet

The first symptoms are manifested by a noticeable roughening of the skin of the heels. Instead of a pink delicate skin coating, a rough gray appears, with signs of peeling. If you do not immediately take measures to improve it, it simply breaks, very painful cracks appear.

Complications and consequences

The consequence of violation of the integrity of the skin of the heels is a significant discomfort when walking, because the weight of our entire body is directed to the foot. In addition, any infection, including fungal infections, can get into open wounds.

For diabetic patients, cracks are a dangerous complication such as "diabetic foot", which can lead to limb amputation.

Diagnostics of the cracks in the heels of the feet

Since among the reasons for the formation of cracks on the heels there are not at all harmless, it is first necessary to consult a dermatologist for a primary diagnosis. Having done certain laboratory tests (general blood and urine tests, for sugar levels), he will assess the need for a deeper examination.

Differential diagnosis is carried out between skin and internal pathologies.

Treatment of the cracks in the heels of the feet

Depending on the cause of the appearance of cracks in the heels, treatment occurs in two directions: the removal of the keratinized layer and the direct healing of injuries and the treatment of internal disorders, if any are diagnosed.

The main thing in eliminating the problem of cracks is regular heel care, including the use of both  therapeutic creams  and ointments, and cosmetic ones.

First of all, before carrying out any manipulations with the heels, you need to soak them well in warm water with the addition of soda, boric acid or herbal decoctions (repeat the procedure 2-3 times a week), remove the stratum corneum with a foot file or pumice stone, Wipe thoroughly and then lubricate with a moisturizing and nourishing agent.

What can be used for this? Effective ointmentsbased on petroleum jelly, beeswax. They soften the skin well, make it smooth and tender. Bepanten, Lamisil are also used to get rid of cracks.

Bepanthen - its active substance is dexpanthenol. The ointment stimulates skin regeneration, normalizes cellular metabolism, accelerates indirect cell division, and makes collagen fibers stronger. There are practically no side effects, with the exception of rare cases of allergies.

A good therapeutic effect is provided by creams with urea, which is used as a moisturizing component, a conductor of nutrients due to the small size of its molecules, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic and deodorant, with an effective exfoliating property.

Recommended creams include:

• Norel Dr - from a Polish manufacturer, in addition to urea (8%), it also contains grape seed oil, which has a beneficial effect on the epidermis;
• dm Balea Fusscreme Urea (Germany) - contains glycerin, lactic acid, vitamin B3 as additional ingredients;
• Scholl Active Repair K + (England) - 10% urea, paraffin, lanolin, glycerin, hydrolyzed creatine, with regular use, will do their job, heal cracks, and restore a healthy look to the heels.

In order to minimize infection in microcracks, accelerate their healing, and feel more comfortable in shoes on the street, cracks are sealed with medical glue based on cyanoacrylate. After applying to cleanly washed and dry heels, you can walk with it for up to a week, and then, after steaming it in water, remove it.

Vitamins

The role of vitamins in the condition of the skin, hair, nails is invaluable. In the summer, you must not miss the opportunity to replenish your stocks with seasonal usefulness, because from spring to late autumn, something ripens in our gardens and orchards.

Our epidermis needs vitamins A, C - well-known antioxidants, E - eliminates dry skin, B1 - increases its elasticity, B2 - accelerates cell renewal, B9 - protects, increases elasticity, PP - provides a lifting effect.

In winter and spring, it is best to support your body with vitamin complexes.

Physiotherapy treatment

Among physiotherapeutic procedures, water is of primary importance. In order to prevent the skin from coarsening, it is easier to remove the keratinized layer, to help the softening, nourishing, healing components penetrate, foot baths are used.

Paraffin wraps are no less effective. Having melted it, spread it on the feet. After hardening, plastic bags are put on the legs, then socks. After half an hour, they are removed, the heels are moistened with cream.

Alternative Treatment

In  folk recipes for the treatment of  cracked heels, the main focus is on foot baths. For them, decoctions of various medicinal herbs are used: elecampane, oak bark, sage, nettle, coltsfoot. Also on their basis, you can apply compresses, lotions.

Successfully treat skin lesions with the following compounds:

• grate raw potatoes on a fine grater, squeeze out the juice, apply gruel on steamed heels, fix with a bandage, remove after 30 minutes;
  • apply crushed apple pulp in a similar way;
• rub honey into the cracks, put a cabbage leaf, fix, leave overnight until morning;
• take butter and yogurt in equal proportions, mix well, lubricate the heels three times a day;
• every day before going to bed, massage slightly warmed olive oil on clean feet and put on cotton socks.

Read more about treatment in the following publications:

• Treating cracked heels at home
• Treatment of cracked heels with herbs
• Effective home remedies for cracked heels

Homeopathy

Homeopathic treatment of cracked heels is selected individually by a homeopath. Help solve the problem:

• Arundo - cane arundo, a plant from the cereal family;
• Calcarea fluorica - calcium phosphate, an important tissue remedy;
• Pertroleum - a petroleum distillation product, effective for severe dry skin;
• Sanicula - obtained by evaporating mineral waters and grinding the resulting salts of a number of minerals.

Prevention

The best preventive measure to prevent heel cracking is proper daily basic care. Taking care of the beauty of the face, one should not forget about the need for due attention to the not so open part of your body.

Daily washing of the feet, the use of peeling, including scrubs, means for the mechanical removal of dead particles, moisturizing, nutrition will not give rise to further troubles associated with cracks.

It is also important to maintain a sufficient drinking regimen and monitor your health.

Forecast

Cracks heal, but sometimes this process is very long and painstaking, especially when it comes to elderly people, whose changes in the body are irreversible.