Cracked heels – or heel fissures as they are sometimes known – are a common foot problem, but they shouldn’t mean you have to tuck your favorite shoes away in the cupboard. If you’re hiding your heels because of cracked skin, here’s what you need to know – and how to get them looking and feeling soft and supple once again.
Cracked heels are caused when the skin in the area splits, often because it has gotten drier, thicker and lost its elasticity. When skin loses its suppleness, everyday pressures such as walking, can cause the skin to crack and split. You may even feel pain when you stand and put weight on your feet. But the good news is that most cases can be easily treated at home.
What causes cracked heels?
There are many possible causes of cracked heels. Some people have naturally drier skin or the skin of the heels lacks moisture which can make your heels more likely to suffer from cracks. The way you walk and how your weight is distributed on your heels can be a factor too.
Some other causes of cracked heels include dry air, insufficient foot care, diet deficiencies, skin aging, standing for long periods of time, wearing certain types of shoes, carrying a lot of excess weight and your own genetics can be a cause of cracked heels.
Fortunately, most cases of cracked heels can be easily treated at home, so you can get your feet back into tip-top condition.
Applying the Amopé Pedi Perfect™ Extra Rich Skin Recovery Foot Cream is good treatment for cracked heels as it contains nourishing ingredients, such as vitamin A, E, and almond oil, and creates a barrier to speed up the repair of the cracked skin. In fact, this moisturizer works to beautifully smooth your feet while you sleep.
Other things that may help you tackle cracked heels include wearing shoes with a supportive back, drinking plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated, using a special moisturizing cream, and avoiding harsh soaps and very hot water, which can strip away any natural moisturizers in your skin. If the weather is hot, walking around barefoot or in footwear that exposes your feet (such as flip flops and sandals) can also mean that your feet dry out more, so make sure you pamper them with a foot cream at the end of the day.
Eat for your feet
As well as what you apply to your body, what you put inside it can help to prevent and cure cracked heels too. Diets that are low in zinc and essential omega-3 fatty acids can contribute to dry skin and worsen cracked heels. To up your zinc intake, add chicken, crab, kidney beans, yogurt and brown rice to your diet, and to increase your omega-3s, try oily fish and flaxseed oil.
Other vitamins and minerals that can help keep your skin supple and healthy include vitamin E (found in green vegetables, whole grains and nuts), calcium (found in dairy products and dark leafy vegetables) and iron (found in red meat, eggs, vegetables and beans). .
