Cracked heels are the summer nightmare of many women. Here are ways to deal with an embarrassing problem

Home remedies for cracked heels

Home remedies for cracked hair must be used systematically to be effective. It is worth knowing that the skin on the heels is almost twice as thick as in other parts of our body, so the epidermis in this place grows very quickly and is practically unable to exfoliate on its own. If we do not remove it, the skin will lose its elasticity and begin to become keratinized, which is a short step to cracking.

You can remove the calloused epidermis of your feet yourself at home. To do this, first soften your heels, for example soaking your feet in a mixture made of half a bowl of warm water, 150 ml of milk and 50 ml of olive oil. After such a bath, the feet are prepared for… peeling. It can be done using professional foot cosmetics, but you can also successfully prepare an exfoliating mixture using home products. Just mix 50 grams of sugar, two tablespoons of olive oil and a tablespoon of lemon juice, and then massage the heels, metatarsals and toes with the resulting preparation for a few minutes to smooth and moisturize the skin. Moisturizing is also necessary after exfoliation.

Remember that the skin on the heels has few sebaceous glands, which means that it lacks moisture and lubrication. Therefore, it is worth using for this purpose foot creams containing urea, B vitamins, lactic acid and vegetable oils, the presence of menthol will also be recommended.

Ways to deal with cracked heels

It is worth using methods for cracked hair before the problem worsens. In short: the most effective way to deal with cracked heels will be to prevent the damage from occurring. Taking care actions, regularly exfoliating the calloused epidermis from the feet and properly moisturizing the skin in these areas are the basics of caring for the skin of the feet.

It’s worth knowing that Beauticians usually advise against using pumice stone or a traditional foot grater. Why? Bacteria accumulate on them, which is not conducive to maintaining hygiene. In addition, exfoliation carried out in this way, as an invasive process, may promote too rapid regrowth of calloused epidermis. It is definitely better to go to a specialist for such a treatment or use professional devices for home use. Electronic graters and heel files will come in handy here. They have replaceable crystal heads that gently remove dead, calloused epidermis from the feet. With their help, we will remove corns and calluses from the surface of the heel, sole or between the toes. However, you absolutely cannot forget about it after such a procedure moisturizing the feet. Creams or balms with moisturizing, oiling, softening and skin regeneration ingredients are worth including in your daily care ritual.

Various home cosmetic treatments can also promote skin regeneration, such as: foot baths in mixtures with regenerating properties. You can use for this purpose, for example Linseed. The oil contained in its seeds supports the elasticity of the skin and also helps to soften it. Just pour boiling water over a small amount of seeds, let it cool down and soak your feet in the prepared bath for several minutes. They will also bring relief to cracked heels baths in herbal infusions. It is worth reaching for those known for their anti-inflammatory effects birch leaves, marigold baskets or yarrow herb. For the infusion to additionally support regeneration and have a soothing effect, it is good to supplement it with: melilot herb and comfrey root.

Effective remedies for cracked heels

As you can see, effective solutions for cracked feet are primarily prevention and proper foot care. For example, it can help baking soda, which, due to its alkaline nature, has a softening effect on hard epidermis, and additionally cleanses and slightly brightens the skin of the feet. Good results are achieved by a 10-minute foot bath in a small amount of warm water (or half a liter of heated milk) with the addition of two tablespoons of baking soda, the effect of which should then be strengthened by using cream with urea. You can also prepare a thick paste from two tablespoons of baking soda and a tablespoon of water, which should be rubbed into your feet and washed off after a few minutes. The epidermis will thus be prepared for exfoliation with an electronic file.

It will also be effective for cracked heels vitamin A massage. Just massage a vitamin A capsule into your heels, apply a small amount of oily cream and put on socks. After just a few days of using this treatment, you will notice improvement.

Cracked heels can cause: improper hygiene, insufficient body hydration, poorly balanced diet, vitamin A deficiency, inappropriate footwear, overweight, diabetes, genetic factors. However, remember that cracked heels may also be a symptom of more serious diseases. So if the problem gets worse, you should definitely see a doctor. However, when heel cracks become deep and painful, it is worth seeking professional help from a dermatologist or podiatrist.