Cracked heels
Cracked heels are dry cracked areas on the feet. They depend on age, stress, care, nutrition and lifestyle. An unfavorable progression of cracked heels can be prevented.
What are cracked heels?
Cracked heels, also called fissures or rhagades , refer to excess, torn corneal areas on the outer edge of the heel. Calluses can occur on frequently stressed parts of the body. The transition from the cornea to the rhagade happens with excessive use and insufficient care.
By neglecting cracked heels in the early stages, the outer epidermis is insufficiently supplied with fat, moisture and nutrients. In the case of cracked heels, the outer layer of the skin becomes brittle, which worsens with further neglect. Infection and bleeding can result from cracked heels.
causes
There is not just one causal factor responsible for cracked heels. Firstly, it is the predisposition to dry skin with a lack of attention and at the same time excessive use. The body does not provide enough nutrients, fat and moisture to the outer areas of the epidermis of the heels.A vitamin E deficiency and an omega3 fatty acid deficiency in the body also promote undersupply. Cracked heels occur when the demands on the feet exceed care.
The skin flakes of the outer epidermis are not removed regularly, which can result in dehydration and undersupply. Cracked heels are favored by synthetic socks and unsuitable footwear.
When to the doctor?
Cracked heels are not a medically worrisome condition. A doctor does not normally need to be consulted. The person concerned can take a number of measures to alleviate the symptoms. This includes adequate foot care, wearing the right footwear and avoiding synthetic hosiery. If the heels are regularly creamed with greasy or moisturizing care products, the cracks will recede. Especially after showering, bathing or a visit to the swimming pool, the heels should be cared for. In addition, foot baths help in the regression of damaged skin. All measures can be taken without consulting a doctor.
If there is an allergic reaction to some ingredients , a doctor should be consulted to have individual care products made. If the cracks in the heels cause pain or are experienced as emotionally stressful, a doctor should be consulted and the symptoms discussed. If the cracked heels persist despite all efforts, other diseases are present. A vitamin deficiency, a circulatory disorder, a disease of the metabolic system or skin problems may be present. For this reason, a doctor should be consulted as soon as the symptoms persist for several weeks or months. If other symptoms occur, such as cold feet or sensory disturbances, a doctor’s visit is always necessary.
diagnosis and course
The diagnostic feature of cracked heels is excess, straight-torn epidermis on the outer edge of the feet. Cracks and rhagades are visible on a slightly protruding dry part of the cornea. Normally, excess skin cells are regularly shed on frequently used areas. This desquamation must be done manually on the heels. If this is not done and at the same time the affected areas are not sufficiently supplied with fat and moisture, the course of this disease is progressive.
Cracked heels are not primarily dangerous, but are unfavorably influenced by metabolic diseases such as diabetes. Alcohol, nicotine and circulatory disorders also make cracked heels less likely to develop. Bleeding can occur around deep incisions, allowing foreign objects or infection to enter the body. The course of cracked heels increases with disregard and increasing age. Men are more likely to suffer from cracked heels than women.
complications
Cracked heels can lead to inflammation of the heel and foot due to damage to the skin. Viruses, fungi or bacteria get through the cracks into the deeper layers of the skin and spread there. There is pain and difficulty moving. The burden of the heel with its own weight triggers complaints. The affected heel is often protected and the healthy heel is subjected to one-sided stress. A crooked posture is possible, leading to muscle problems or nerve strain. The skin on the heel is dry and usually brittle. The dryness can spread further down the foot.
A vitamin or nutrient deficiency is often present, which triggers further symptoms. They include cracked nails or hair texture problems. The cracked heel can be caused by an allergic reaction. Substances in cosmetic products, hosiery or footwear are triggers. The symptoms can indicate diseases of the metabolic system. These have an impact on the digestive process, the activity of the thyroid gland and the condition of the skin. Cracked heels can indicate circulatory problems. There are sensory disturbances in the heel. Numbness or hypersensitivity to temperature and touch are possible. In addition, there may be an undersupply of the organs.
treatment and therapy
Since the development of cracked heels does not have just one cause, the treatment must also follow this principle. More attention guarantees greater treatment success. Sufficient fluids, especially water and fruit juices, should be drunk. Sufficient minerals must also be ingested through food or dietary supplements .
To care for the affected areas of skin, a chafing ointment from the pharmacy should be applied twice a day. In Ayurvedic medicine there is the Abhyanga, the Ayurvedic oil massage, mostly performed with sesame oil. You should do this yourself every day to regulate the general dryness in your body.
In the case of cracked heels, at least a daily foot massage with sesame oil or calendula oil should be done. It is advisable to regularly remove the dead skin cells on the heels. Before showering, scrub the excess areas of the heels with a pumice stone.
Treat your feet well with a washcloth when you take a bath regularly. Then you work on the excess skin on the cracked heels even more intensively in the softened state.
Dry the affected areas of skin very consistently with a dry towel. Then vigorously apply a special ointment for cracks, tea tree oil or urea ointment to the affected areas. Then let your feet rest for about 20 minutes. Regular foot care can be a good preventive measure against cracked heels.
prevention
The best prevention for cracked heels is intensive personal hygiene and a balanced lifestyle. Regularly care for the feet and treat the heels with a pumice stone.Regularly oiling or creaming your feet can prevent cracked heels. Preventive relaxed oil baths can be preventative. It is important to drink enough healthy fluids. As for clothing, cotton socks are preferable.
It is best to walk barefoot on the beach in summer to scrub excess skin cells off your feet and mobilize your feet. Babies and toddlers don’t have cracked heels because their bodies are in balance. Adults need to take precautions.
It is part of normal body care to regularly remove excess skin cells from frequently used areas. Synthetic socks or shoes should be avoided.
The food should be balanced. Alcohol and too much sugar should be avoided. Don’t sleep on synthetic sheets, sleep on cotton sheets. Ensure a regular supply of nutrients. Cracked heels require regular care.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.