Beauty, for every woman should be an all-round thing; from head to toe.
Every part of the body deserves to be cared for and pampered to make them look their best. This adds to the overall outlook of the individual.
The foot is one delicate part of the body that a lot of ladies tend not to pay much attention to. Many get away with that, while some are not so lucky and as a result, present horribly cracked heels.
Cracked heel, also referred to as heel fissure, is a common foot condition which causes discomfort and sometimes pain to the foot, apart from being an eyesore.
It can be severe if the cracks become infected. Also, if the cracks are deep, they can be quite painful, hurting when a person stands up. They can also bleed sometimes.
Causes of Cracked Heels:
They are caused mostly as a result of dry skin and are followed by thickened skin and sometimes yellow or brown calluses around the heel edge. If the skin is lacking in moisture, it becomes stiff, and prone to cracking. Some people have skins that tend towards dryness while others may encourage the appearance of cracked heels by their style of walking.
Also prolonged standing can cause the heels to crack. When a person often stands for a very long time on a hard floor, it can contribute to the development of cracked heels.
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Diabetics also run the risk of having cracked heels due to the fact that they may have foot ulcer developing from the cracks in the skin.
Inappropriate footwear can cause or worsen cracked heels as there is little to keep the fatty pad in the heel of the foot in place when pressure is exerted on it.
But not to worry, there’s a way out. We give you below, some steps that can be taken at home to treat and prevent heel cracks.
*If you have been contending with cracked heels, the first thing to do is make use of a pumice stone to gently rub against the heel while having a shower. Do this every time you shower to exfoliate the dead skin and reduce the thickness of the hard skin.
*Apply moisturizer in the form of creams, lotions, and ointments to help retain moisture in the skin. This will prevent the skin from drying out and cracking. This treatment can also help fix skin that is already cracked.
*After applying your moisturizer, if you do not have to go out, put on thick cotton socks. By so doing, you keep the moisture in and allow the skin on the heels to soften up. If you have to go out during the day, then do this at night.
*Anyone who suffers from cracked heels should avoid the use of thin-soled shoes or footwear that does not provide proper support to the heel, also properly padded footwear should be preferred.
*Regular pedicure will also help to soften the heels and reduce the chances of cracking. It is therefore recommended for those who can afford it. For those who cannot afford to have it done at the beauty salon, soaking the feet in warm soapy water and scrubbing with pumice stone will suffice.
Smooth, beautiful heals are indeed attractive. They can be your best selling point. So, do not ignore your heels; love and pamper them and show off in your open back heels and sandals.