Dry cracked feet can be painful and unsightly, but if left untreated they can also become seriously infected.
There are several reasons why the skin around your heels can crack. These include pre-existing skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema or wearing thin-soled or backless shoes that leave your heels exposed.
There are some people who have naturally dry skin that can sometimes cause their feet to crack even when they’re doing all the right things. Other people may find that they walk more heavily on one side of the foot than the other, which can place extra pressure on that part of the foot and make the skin there harden, which leads to cracking.
Some overweight people may also have an increased tendency to develop dry cracked feet as there is increased pressure on the protective pads of the feet that can make it spread and expand sideways.
Things to Avoid
Many people try to remove the thick, calloused skin from their heels on their own, by cutting it away with scissors or a razor blade. This can severely damage the skin, as you risk cutting away too much. You also risk causing further infection.
You might also find yourself absently picking away at sections of dried skin to remove it. If your hands aren’t clean, you risk passing bacteria from beneath your fingernails into the exposed areas of skin, which can lead to inflammation, soreness, irritation and infection.
Relieving Dry Cracked Feet
If you already suffer from dry cracked feet, massage some oil based moisturizing cream into your feet morning and night. This will help soften the skin and reduce some of the cracking.
You can also help relieve dry cracked feet by preparing a soothing foot bath with some Epsom salts. Epsom salts contain magnesium sulfate, which can soothe your feet while it’s softening the hardened skin.
When magnesium sulfate is absorbed into your skin, it can act as a natural emollient and helps to sedate the nervous system. Magnesium sulfate is also a mild relaxant with gentle anti-inflammatory properties that can help your feet feel much better. You should also find that it eliminates any odors too.
Using a pumice stone to gently exfoliate some of the thicker skin around your heels can help to reduce the hardened skin that is likely to crack.
You should also find that wearing correct shoes that enclose your heel fully will reduce the thickening of skin that can cause excessive dry cracked feet. Many people who wear sandals, slip-on shoes or any kind of backless shoe that provides little support will suffer from the skin drying out on their feet quickly as the pad of the heel begins to expand. Correctly-fitted shoes with a supporting back can significantly reduce the incidence of dry cracked feet.
If you find your feet are prone to cracking, remember these tips and you should find it much easier to keep your feet in good condition. Healthy feet not only look great, but they’ll feel much better too.
