Cracked heels are not a purely aesthetic issue. When a person moves, he leans on his heels, which means that their healthy state is the key to good health in general.
Before urgently taking on the solution of this problem, it is necessary to find out the reason that contributed to the appearance of cracks, and there can be a lot of them. After finding out the cause of the cracks, you can do the treatment at home.
Causes of cracked heels
- Inconvenient shoes.
- Drying of the skin (for example, walking without shoes in the summer).
- Deficiency of vitamins E, A, F or their excess.
- Dermatological diseases.
- Hormonal imbalance.
- Indigestion.
Foot baths
Special baths are recommended:
- Herbal.
- On the infusion of nettle.
To prepare the solution, 2 tablespoons of nettle are poured with a liter of boiling water, the solution should cool under a towel. Then the solution is filtered. The bath should be taken for 15-20 minutes, after wiping the feet and applying a 2% salicylic acid ointment. After these measures, it is recommended to rub a fat cream into the skin of the feet until it is completely absorbed.
- On the infusion of oak bark
Two tablespoons of crushed oak bark are poured into two glasses of water and left for two hours. After the infusion, boil for 30 minutes and filter.
- With starch.
It is recommended to do such a bath at night. 2 tablespoons of potato starch are poured with a liter of warm water and mixed. In the resulting solution, the feet are steamed, washed, and dry and keratinized areas are removed with pumice. After the feet dry, apply a greasy cream. You can wear cotton or woolen socks.
- With soda.
For 2 liters of warm water (30-4 degrees), there is 1 tablespoon of baking soda. You can also add liquid soap. The duration of the procedure is 15-30 minutes.
- With salt.
The bath copes well with leg fatigue. 4 liters of warm, almost hot water requires a handful of table salt. After the water has cooled, wipe your feet and rub in a moisturizer with massage movements.
- With flax seed.
4 tablespoons of flaxseed are poured with boiling water and boiled for 20 minutes. The duration of the bath is 15 minutes. After that, linseed oil is applied to the legs and cotton or woolen socks are put on and left for 3 hours. At the end, it is recommended to rub in a moisturizer. To achieve the result, such a bath should be done 2 times a week.
- Mint-based trays.
Such baths are prepared as preventive measures against fungal diseases at home and to eliminate cracks in the heels.
Mint is infused in boiling water for two hours. After straining, the bath is ready. The procedure takes 25-30 minutes.
Essential oils for cracked heels
Essential oils are one of the main remedies for cracked and dry heels at home. Adding drops of eucalyptus, mint or linden to the oils is an excellent prevention of fungal diseases.
Essential oils can also be added to trays. To do this, add a few drops of lavender, mint and other oils to warm water. The exact dosage is indicated on the oil insert.
Arnica, chamomile, rosemary, mint, and yarrow oil are used in the preparation of baths. It is necessary to massage the heels 2 times a day, rubbing in 2-4 drops. The feet are steamed and treated with pumice.
Homemade ointments
- Propolis and wax ointment.
100gr. Oils, 10g. Propolis, 5-10g. the wax is steamed until smooth. Immersed in cold water while stirring continuously. After cooling until thickened, rub in overnight, but before that it is recommended to steam your feet.
- Ointment made from wax and oil.
A glass of vegetable oil is mixed with wax and stir over low heat until smooth. Half of the chopped boiled yolk is added to the boiling mass. After the foam appears, remove the pan from the heat, put it back after the foam has slept. Another liquid mass is filtered and stored in the refrigerator.
After applying the ointment, the body area is tied with a bandage, wrapped in cellophane and left overnight.
- Calendula ointment.
3 tbsp. l. butter is heated in a water bath, after which 1 tbsp. l. calendula. Putting the mixture on low heat for an hour, close it with a lid.
An hour later, the mixture is removed from the heat and filtered. Add essential oils and mix thoroughly. Store the ointment in the refrigerator for 1 month.
- Potentilla ointment.
Cinquefoil is a unique plant. The healing properties of this plant are undeniable. For the preparation of ointment 1 tsp. Potentilla root, half tsp. herbs of the same plant.
After grinding, petroleum jelly and propolis are heated and carefully ground cinquefoil is added to the finished base. Warm up for 7-9 minutes. The ointment is ready for use after it is placed in the refrigerator for a day. Apply in a thin layer twice a day.
Don't miss the most popular column article: Laser hair removal on the face and body - how it is performed, effectiveness, before and after photos, contraindications.Masks and compresses
- Made from oatmeal and linseed oil.
Pour boiling water over oat flakes and wait for them to swell (2-3 minutes). Stir a tablespoon of oil with the flakes. Place your feet for 1.5 - 2 hours.
- From milk and mother-and-stepmother.
Milk and mineral water are mixed in a ratio of 1: 4, after which the infusion of coltsfoot is added. Apply for 15 minutes, rinse off.
- With elecampane broth.
There are 2 tablespoons of crushed elecampane roots per liter of water. Bring to a boil and infuse overnight. Compresses are recommended to be used daily.
- From honey and cabbage.
Honey is rubbed into problem areas (on steamed legs), after which a cabbage leaf is placed on it and fixed with a bandage overnight. In the morning, the compress is washed off with warm water. Use until complete elimination of cracks.
- From oils.
You can use olive, castor, almond, corn and sunflower oils as a compress. Rub the skin with oil, wear woolen socks at night.
- From potatoes.
Potato compresses are applied for 1.5-2 hours daily for 10 days. The potatoes are grated. The resulting gruel is applied to the damaged areas. After the compress is washed off, the feet are treated with pumice stone and the cream is rubbed in.
- From butter and yogurt.
Half a glass of curdled milk is whipped with 30 g of butter. After the bath, the mixture is rubbed into the cracked area. Washed off after 40 minutes with warm water.
- From onions.
Two medium-sized onions are grated with a grater. The resulting gruel is wrapped in gauze and applied to the heels. The compress is fixed with a film at night, in the morning it is washed off with warm water. Post-treatment of feet with pumice stone is recommended. When finished, apply the cream.
- From apple and milk.
Two medium-sized apples are cut into cubes and added to 200 ml of milk. The resulting mixture is boiled for 15 minutes until a mushy state (if the mixture is liquid, you can add flour). Next, apply a thick layer of 0.6-1 cm to problem areas and hold until the compress cools. This procedure is recommended at least once a week.
- From prunes.
The prune compress is made in the same way as the apple and milk compress described above. Instead of an apple, they use prunes, boil it in milk to a state of gruel and apply it in the form of a warm compress.
- Made from glycerin and vinegar.
Recommended for use in especially advanced cases. Mix vinegar and glycerin in a 1: 3 ratio. The gauze is dipped into the solution and applied to the heels. The feet are wrapped in foil and put on socks. The best result can be achieved if you make such a lotion at night.
Olive oil for cracked heels
Olive oil protects against cracked heels. Home treatment consists of a simple recipe for healthy heels. After steaming and removing the hardened areas with a pumice stone, rub the olive oil with massaging movements until it is completely absorbed. It is recommended to wear cotton or woolen socks after such a procedure.
Aloe
The healing properties of aloe were investigated several millennia ago by ancient doctors. The main benefit is found in the juice of the plant, it is he who has a positive effect on the entire human body as a whole.
The plant has an antiviral effect, removes toxins and toxins from the body, lowers blood sugar levels.
The plant has a widespread positive effect on the body due to the presence in the pulp of various compounds (esters, essential oils, vitamins, amino acids, polysaccharides, etc.)
At home, aloe oil is great for treating cracked heels. Also, if there is such a plant at home, pieces of aloe are applied with the inside.
Wax
Wax is a waste product of bees. The complex biochemical composition is due to the presence of about 300 substances. Wax, paraffin and acid are mixed in equal proportions. Leave on the feet overnight, fixing with a bandage. After the procedure, it is recommended to take a bath.
Laundry soap
This tool is one of the most budgetary. Recommended procedures should be carried out if cracks have just begun to appear and do not bother walking.
The procedure is performed on clean, slightly damp feet. Problem areas are rubbed with a thin layer of laundry soap at night. We recommend using 72% soap. Then they put on socks. In the morning, a greasy cream is applied to clean feet.
You can carry out this procedure in a slightly different way: a layer of laundry soap is applied to clean feet and after 5-10 minutes, the feet must be treated with pumice. When finished, apply a layer of greasy cream. It is recommended to carry out such procedures 2-3 times a week.
Don't miss the most popular column article: Morning exercises for those over 40, 50. Gymnastics exercises for weight loss, video tutorials.Pharmacy products
- Cream "Healer".
Apply to clean feet once a day. Efficiency has been noted by many, but disadvantages such as a rather high price and slow action have been found.
- Ambulance cream-balm.
Recommended for accelerated healing of skin lesions. Apply 2-3 times a day to the damaged area of the skin. Used for complete healing. The cream received good reviews, and the low price is also a plus.
- Gevol cream.
Apply daily to clean, dry skin of the feet twice a day. Recommended for use in conjunction with Hydrobalance cream. The tool is very effective, but quite expensive. Well moisturizes the skin of the feet and removes cracked heels. Relieves fatigue and has a deodorizing effect.
- Shol cream.
The cream gives excellent and fast results in less than a week. The only drawback of this tool is the price.
- Pine cream.
One of the most effective remedies for cracked heels. Result in 3 days. Reviews about it are extremely positive, except for the price.
The cream has a thick, oily consistency, so it is enough to apply a small amount, but the result will not be long in coming.
- Calendula ointment.
A product based on natural ingredients. Apply a thin layer on the affected skin for 30-60 minutes and secure with a bandage 2-3 times a day. Pros: natural ingredients, efficiency, low price. Cons: long application procedure.
- Zinc ointment.
Pros: low price.
The tool has a lot of positive reviews, proving its active effect on cracks. The number of procedures required until complete healing is 8-10.
- Salicylic ointment.
One of the most budgetary ointments. The product is applied to steamed, pumice-treated feet. Legs are wrapped in a plastic bag. Tested and approved by many. This procedure should be done once a week.
- Anti-cracking plaster.
Anti-crack plasters are full of their variety. Their main purpose is to protect the wound from infection, soften the wound. Adhesive plasters are glued to the crack and left until complete healing.
- Anti-cracking silicone socks.
Convenient product made of special silicone impregnated with mineral oils. They soften and repair the skin of the heels. Socks are put on the feet at any time of the day, after application, the feet are moistened with cream. Average price.
- Hydrogen peroxide.
Reduces the activity of pathogens, softens the skin of the feet and heels and improves the overall appearance of the feet. One of the ways to prepare a bath: add 4 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide to one and a half liters of hot water.
Pre-washed feet are immersed in the bath, the container itself is covered with a towel to slow down the rate of water cooling. The duration of the procedure is determined by the condition of the feet: a slight roughness takes 6 to 10 minutes. If the skin is badly damaged, the procedure will take up to 20 minutes. Repeat after a few hours.
- Aspirin.
Hot water is poured into the basin and chopped aspirin is added to it. Add half a glass of vodka essential oils to the bath. The procedure takes 20 minutes. after which the legs are treated with pumice and iodine (or vodka).
Vitamins in the fight against cracked heels
Vitamin A is responsible for good vision and redox balance. Forms bone tissue. The characteristic signs of a vitamin A deficiency are:
- Dandruff formation.
- Dry skin.
- Insomnia, increased fatigue, decreased performance.
When such signs are found, foods rich in vitamin A should be followed:
- Eggs (yolk).
- Fish oil, seafood.
- Vegetables.
- Fruit.
- Dairy products.
Vitamin E promotes the absorption of vitamin A, therefore, when there is a lack of vitamin E in the body, the following symptoms are observed:
- Muscle weakness.
- Fatigue.
- Deterioration of vision.
Replenish the deficiency of this vitamin with products with a high fat content (corn, sunflower, butter and other oils) as well as eggs, seafood and cereals (buckwheat, oatmeal).
Lack of vitamin F is expressed in hair loss, dry skin, peeling nails. Also a characteristic feature is the appearance of acne on the chest, back, face. Vitamin F is found in fats, therefore, sunflower oil is an irreplaceable and budgetary source of it.
The daily consumption of vegetable salads seasoned with oil and the use of cosmetics rich in vitamin F is a good prevention of deficiency of this vitamin.
Identifying and eliminating the cause of cracked heels is the first thing to do. Only then can you start treatment at home. It should also be borne in mind that self-medication is not worth it if it comes to problems with ulcers or deep cracks, in this case you need the help of a specialist.
Hilfix saves me from cracked heels; when applied, it creates a protective film and speeds up the healing process. Well, a good nourishing cream is needed every day.