How To Care For Cracked Heels At Home

Somebody had to say it. Not only are they drier than the Sahara Desert but now they’re starting to catch onto bedding, socks and even make a sound on hard flooring, yikes. There's more to cracked heels than what meets the eye. It's not a case of slapping on more moisturizer and waiting for a miracle. We wish it were that easy. 

There’s a reason your feet have become a fire hazard and it’s probably not the reason everybody thinks it is. Don’t judge a heel by its crack. Dryness is only one part of the picture. But before you start filing your heels into oblivion, stop. That might actually be why your heels stay rough or why it gets worse. 

Keep the filing for the office and consider using a gentle option for your heels. H-Cracked Heels Formula is a plant-based formula that gently nourishes and moisturizes the skin. 

Why Your Heels Keep Cracking

At this point you’ve tried everything, the scrubs, the files, the moisturizers and now your cabinet is just overflowing with products that showed short lived results. After trying product after product, it's easy to wonder whether you're doing something wrong. looking at this makes us wonder if it’s something we’re possibly doing wrong? Well, you’re not doing anything wrong, technically. Cracked heels look like they’re just another dryness problem but there’s more to it. 

Here are some things we probably wouldn’t know about cracked heels:

• Cracked heels do start with dryness but the cracks deepen with long periods of standing and walking in general.
• The heel holds the weight of the body with every step, that’s a lot of pressure. There’s something called a fat pad beneath the foot and this expands when the pressure is on.
• Now if the skin that is being expanded is not supple enough this leads to the cracks. 
• Because of the pressure our heels get, our bodies create a callus around the rim of the heel to protect it, because the callus is being formed it makes cracking more likely to appear. The thicker callused skin is less flexible than surrounding skin. 
• Sandals and open shoes. In summer letting your feet breathe is a relief, but open shoes allows the feet to spread more as you walk. This can place extra strain on dry, cracked skin and contribute to heel splitting.

Not such an anomaly after all. Cracks do start off as dry feet, what many people don't realize is that the pressure from your body weight causes those small cracks to deepen and worsen over time.

Why Scrubbing Cracked Heels Can Make Them Worse

This is exactly the kind of advice we should not be taking with cracked heels. The first thought that pops into our heads is to grab the file and scrub as hard as we can, but a lot of what we do damages the heel even more:

• You’ve scrubbed until the skin is basically raw. Surely that’s not what we were going for? Do you know what the skin does when it's filed into this state? It grows back even thicker skin to protect itself.
• Many moisturizers primarily hydrate the outermost layer of the skin. While they can improve softness and comfort, some people find they need a broader daily care routine to help keep heels feeling smooth. Your skin will feel as smooth as butter after but in a few days it's no surprise they’re still rough and cracked. 
• The most common cycle of soak - file - moisturize. This cycle can become frustrating because it may not address the factors contributing to recurring dryness. 
• Who doesn’t love a hot shower? Cracked heels. They also don’t love harsh soaps. Now if you combine these two together the natural oils our skin produces are slowly stripped away, and yes this applies directly to our heels.

Our skin has a natural moisture barrier. Ingredients rich in fatty acids can help moisturize and support the skin's natural barrier as part of a daily skincare routine. This is why filing, soaking and using moisturizer may provide temporary relief, while a consistent skincare routine may help keep heels feeling softer over time. 

How To Care For Cracked Heels At Home

The day has come where you can whip out those feet and not have them drag anything along with them. It’s a goal worth working toward. With the right routine and using products that care for your feet as much as you do. A routine worth considering alongside using a gentle alternative such as H-Cracked Heels Formula. 

• First we’ll start off with a soak, I know we mentioned soaking in the section above but hear us out. It’s not the actual soaking that's the problem, it's the cycle.
• Soak your feet for 20 minutes each night, this sounds like a lot especially with busy lives but while you soak maybe work, watch tv or pretend you're in a spa. Whatever floats your boat. 
• Next, dry your feet and apply H-Cracked Heels Formula to your feet.
• Finish this off by putting on clean cotton socks for the rest of the night. 
• Then, from time to time use a pumice stone to carefully reduce the thickness in the area. A pumice stone, not a file and the goal is to be gentle. We don't need raw feet on top of them being dry. 

H-Cracked Heels Formula contains plant-based ingredients, designed to work alongside your skin as part of a daily care routine. Sometimes the option that feels right to us is often the simplest, by using a plant-based alternative to what we would normally try otherwise. 

When Cracked Heels Need Medical Attention

Cracked heels are very common but if you are experiencing any of the following it is advised that you speak to a medical professional:

• Itching or persistent pain
• Any bleeding in the cracks
• Cracks that deepen or widen over time
• Redness, warmth or swelling 
• Signs of infection such as fever, pus, foul odor or increasing pain
• People with diabetes, poor circulation or reduced sensation in their feet should consult a healthcare professional before treating cracked heels at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my heels keep cracking even when I moisturize regularly?

Moisturizing usually only addresses the top layer of the skin and does not address how the skin cares for itself over time. 

Is filing cracked heels actually making things worse?

If you are filing your heels vigorously the skin on the rim will grow back thicker as a way of protecting the skin.

How often do I apply H-Cracked Heels Formula?

The formula can be applied 3 times a day. With consistent use, H-Cracked Heels Formula can be incorporated into a daily foot care routine.

Why are my heels worse in summer when I thought it was a winter problem?

Most people think that cracked heels only appear in a particular season, but in summer when wearing open shoes or walking barefoot the fat pad underneath the foot expands more and this can create cracks if the skin is not supple enough.

Is H-Cracked Heels Formula suitable for sensitive skin?

H-Cracked Heels Formula is suitable for most skin types. It is recommended to do a patch test before using the product for broader application.

Is H-Cracked Heels Formula safe to use during pregnancy and nursing?

If you are pregnant or nursing it is advised that you consult with a healthcare provider before use.

Sources

1. Healthline. How to Fix Cracked Heels at Home
2. Podiatry Today. Understanding The Essential Role Of Skin Barrier Repair In Treating Skin Conditions
3. Achilles Foot and Ankle. Causes of Dry Cracked Heels: Why It Happens and What Helps

Note: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.