Cracks on the heels can occur for many reasons, eg, due to age-related changes, due to a large overweight or obesity, poor foot care, poor circulation in the legs, excessive load on the legs, uncomfortable shoes, and some diseases, for example, diabetes or eczema. In rare cases, the heels begin to crack due to a lack of nutrients such as iron, calcium, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids and zinc. In most cases, it is simply a lack of care, and advice on how to treat cracked heels, quickly help to make the heel smoother.
If comprehensive care and proper nutrition does not give the expected result, seek medical attention - perhaps your cosmetic problem caused by disorders that require special treatment.
How to treat cracked heels
Moisturize. Since the heel often cracked because of insufficient moisture to get rid of them, you need to regularly clean the dead skin cells and use moisturizer. Before you apply the cream for 15-20 minutes, soak your feet in warm water. Hot water and salt should not be used as long as the cracks in the heels become much less (and for those whose skin is perfectly healthy feet, hot baths with salt - an excellent tool for the prevention of fractures). Using a scrub brush or a leg gently remove dead skin cells. Do not rub your heels too much - it can further damage the skin. Soak feet with a towel, but do not wipe it dry, then apply a thick moisturizer. Wear thick socks, and do not remove them for several hours, but better - until the morning. Repeat this procedure at least five times a week, until the crack on the heels will not heal.
Vegetable oil can also be used as a foot cream. Apply it on steamed legs, and within a few minutes doing a light foot massage. To care for cracked heels are good olive oil, sesame oil, coconut oil.
Rice flour. In the presence of deep cracks on the heels of the use of a scrub with large abrasive particles or hard brushes for the feet may be too painful, and sometimes it leads to additional damage. Because rice flour can be cooked soft, gentle, yet very effective scrub. Mix until a thick smooth brave handful of flour with a few tablespoons of honey and apple cider vinegar. If the skin is very dry, add a scrub one tablespoon of olive or almond oil. Ten minutes soak feet in warm water, and then use the finished scrub to remove dead skin cells.
Lemon can be used in shallow cracks on the heels. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon, put it on the heel, and in ten minutes, rinse with warm water. Already after the first time the skin on the heels will be noticeably smoother. A similar effect can be achieved if 10-15 minutes to keep your feet in the water, mixed with a little lemon juice.
Rose water with glycerol. Glycerin effectively softens the skin, which is why it is widely used in the manufacture of cosmetics; rose water contains vitamins A, B3, C, D and E, and also has antiseptic properties. Mix rose water with glycerol in a ratio of 1: 1 until a homogeneous mass, and apply this mixture on the heels before going to bed. Do this daily for at least three weeks.
Bananas. Ripe banana
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- One of the cheapest means of cracks on the heels. Mash one banana with a fork until smooth, and after the shower, apply it on the heel. After 10-15 minutes, wash your feet with warm water. Repeat this procedure every day for several weeks.
Honey is widely used in medicine and cosmetics due to its antibacterial and moisturizing properties. Pour into a bowl of warm water, add a few tablespoons to honey, stir it thoroughly, and keep your feet in the honey water for about twenty minutes.
Vaseline - a great and affordable remedy for cracked heels. Apply a layer of petroleum jelly on the heels (pre feet should be washed with warm water and remove dead skin cells soft scrub). Then put on socks (for them can also be put on plastic bags), and go to bed.
Creams with urea. Urea has a keratolytic and moisturizing properties - that is, it helps remove dead, dry skin cells of the stratum corneum. This combination of properties helps to get rid of cracked heels and feet to make the skin smooth and soft. Use creams for the feet, which include urea, in addition to other treatment for cracked heels.
Moisturizing Shower Gel - instead of soap. Those with cracks on the heels, especially important to monitor the purity of the feet, to prevent possible infection, but often ordinary soap makes the skin more dry. So instead it is recommended to use shower gels containing humectants, and immediately after a shower to lubricate the legs cream.
Drink more water. Cracks can appear on the heels of those who drink little water - less than the recommended 1.5 liters per day. Even if the cause of the problem is not in the habit to consume enough water still will do you good.
Take warm or cool shower. Do not hot. Hot water washes away very rapidly from the skin's natural protective layer, and desiccate it. As the soles of the feet do not produce oil, excessive love hot shower can lead to dry skin of feet, and the appearance of cracks on the heels.
Power to treat cracked heels
To get rid of cracked heels, make sure that your daily diet consisted of the following nutrients:
Vitamin E. Its source is a change of sunflower, almond, walnut, cedar and pine seeds, peanuts, dried basil, oregano, parsley, apricots, papaya, spinach, cabbage, broccoli.
Iron. The main sources of iron - greens (kale, spinach, chard, lettuce), broccoli, tomatoes, raisins, prunes, apricots, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chickpeas, beans, lentils, soybeans, liver, artichoke
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, Clams, oysters, scallops, mussels
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, Eggs, chicken, red meat and egg yolks.
Calcium is found in the seeds of celery, thyme, milk, yogurt, cheese, tofu, sesame seeds, flax seeds, almonds, Brazil nuts, herring, cabbage, mustard greens, kale, dandelion greens and turnips.
Omega 3 fatty acids are in walnuts, canola oil, flaxseed and flaxseed oil, beans, tuna, mackerel, halibut, lake trout, sardines, herring and salmon.
Zinc. The sources of zinc include garlic
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, Mushrooms, oysters, lobster, salmon, crab, shrimp, beef liver, beef, mutton, egg yolk, turkey, pork, wheat germ, chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, peanuts and dark chocolate.
Cracks on the heels: the causes, consequences and ways to fight