Cracked heels, also known as fissures, can be a nuisance and even bleed sometimes, but can occasionally lead to more serious problems if left untreated.
Treat them by giving your feet a little more attention, beginning with moisturizing them at least twice a day. Look for thick moisturizers (Eucerin, Cetaphil, others). Some moisturizers contain skin-softening agents, such as urea, salicylic acid or alpha hydroxy acid, which may help remove dead skin. They may cause slight stinging or irritation.
Give your heels extra attention before going to bed: Soak your feet for about 10 minutes in plain or soapy water and pat dry. Then gently rub your heels with a loofah or foot scrubber to help remove dead skin. Apply a heavier, oil-based cream or petroleum jelly (Vaseline, Aquaphor Healing Ointment, others), then slip on a pair of thin cotton socks at bedtime to help the moisturizer work.
Soak your feet in Magnesium salt and the dead skin will just roll off your feet leaving them soft, put plenty of cream on after and wear socks so the cream soaks in x
Thanks. Not cracked heels but cracked or split fingers. More especially in winter. Cold, wet, gardening DIY. My fingers start splitting, which is ridiculously painful. I tried most emollients until I came across Lotil cream. A country pharmacist recommended it. He said it is used expensively by farmers. It works like a dream.
Hello 2greys thank you for sound advice above . I suffer with cracked heels and use the tips you gave, it does work and they usually heal quickly. My thoughts are why does this happen as mine is not persistent just now and then.
Thanks for your post 2greys. All good advice. Just thought I'd add my two pennyworth, though.
Sometimes cracked heels can be the result of an infection (or so I read somewhere) so, when mine wouldn't heal up despite trying all the moisturising etc. etc. I rubbed them daily with Tea Tree oil on a cotton bud. I have found this a very good way of treating Athlete's Foot in the past and, lo and behold, it worked on my cracked heels too.
Since finally healing them, they have not required any further treatment. xx Moy
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