If you’ve ever suffered from cracked heels, you’ll know that they are no joke. They’re painful, they catch on everything, you’ll bump your heels 12 times a day, and in severe cases, they can be so bad that they bleed…
In this case, the good old “prevention is better than cure” adage couldn’t be more accurate, so before you find yourself in a whole lot of pain, find out how to prevent cracked heels all together…
1. Moisturise. Dry skin is the most common cause of cracked heels, and combating it is the simplest way to prevent cracked heels. The skin underneath your feet and around your heels takes a lot of strain and is often dry, rough and possibly chapped because it’s far less elastic, meaning it can crack rather easily. Be sure to include your feet in your daily moisturising routine, and when you notice the skin is taking the strain, lather a particularly nourishing cream on your feet before you get into bed and put on a pair of socks, ensuring the cream gets completely absorbed.
2. Think about your shoes. If you’re worried about your heels cracking or are starting to see signs of chapped heels, you might want to think twice about wearing sandals or other open shoes and shoes with very thin soles. Your feet can slip off balance, cracking them further, and they are more exposed to the elements. Furthermore, make sure your shoes fit you correctly if you’re seriously about preventing cracked heels.
SEE ALSO: A salon pedicure at home
3. Exfoliate. Just as they do on your face and body, dead skin cells build up on your feet, and with all the walking and activity your feet are exposed to, the skin eventually compresses and hardens, leading to cracking. Exfoliate your feet at least once a week to avoid this happening.
4. Keep your nutrient levels up. While dry skin is normal – especially in winter – dry and cracked skin can also be a sign of a nutrient deficiency. A deficit of fatty acids, vitamins A, D and E, potassium and water can all lead to super dry skin, so be sure that your diet is giving you enough of these, or take a supplement.
5. Keep them clean. As we’ve said a few times, it’s skin that is covering your feet. Your skin is an actual organ, and it gets rid of toxins through your pores. Keeping your feet clean will help prevent skin chapping or getting too dry. Keep in mind that should your heels crack, you want to be extra careful to keep your feet clean to prevent infection.
SEE ALSO: Hair removal 101: the pros and cons explained
6. Go for regular pedicures. There, we said it; the one thing we know you’ve been waiting for us to say. Regular pedicures – and not just the ones that include getting your nails painted – will get rid of dry, built up skin and give an intense moisture boost, so put it in your diaries now!
The post How to prevent cracked heels before they start appeared first on All4Women.
