What causes dry and cracked heels? Be careful of these four factors that cause cracked heels.

Dry and flaky heels may affect your normal life in severe cases. What causes dry, cracked heels? On the one hand, it is related to the drop in temperature and dryness in autumn and winter. On the other hand, skin diseases may also cause crusting on the heels (thickening of the cuticle) and cracks. Let's take a look at why the heels crack and how to avoid this abnormal skin phenomenon of cracking and crusting on the heels.

What causes dry, cracked heels?

When autumn and winter come, many people will be troubled by hard cracks on the heels. Severe heel cracks can even affect their normal life. The reasons that cause the heels to become keratinized, crusted and cracked can be divided into: dry weather, fungal infection, diabetes and lack of exercise.

Dry weather causes dehydration of the stratum corneum and cracking

In autumn and winter, as the temperature gradually drops, the secretion of sebaceous glands also decreases, and cold air often invades in winter. The skin of many people has become not particularly smooth and tender. We usually lack the care of our feet, and the moisture on the surface of the skin of our feet is easily lost. If you are a girl who does not exercise often and have cold hands and feet, it means that the blood circulation at the extremities is very weak. The heels will become dry and prone to cracking.

How to relieve cracked heels caused by dryness

If the heel is cracked, you need to use a gel blister patch to protect it. After the wound has healed, soak your feet in moxa leaves for 20 minutes every day, apply body lotion or foot cream, and massage your feet (especially the heels) to promote the skin on the heels to absorb moisturizing ingredients and relieve dryness symptoms. ( Related link : What to do if your heels crack in winter)

Cracked heels caused by fungal infection

Our feet are particularly susceptible to injuries from compression, and if you've worn shoes that were too tight in the past, the likelihood of this fungal infection causing heel cracks is greatly increased. Fungal infection causes symptoms such as dry and cracked heels, peeling, blisters, and itching. In this case, cracked heels must be treated in the dermatology department of a regular hospital. Heel cracks caused by this situation need to be controlled as soon as possible to prevent them from spreading to other parts of the body.

How to relieve cracked heels from a fungal infection

Under the guidance of a doctor, control the fungi hidden deep in the dermis through oral and topical medications. The treatment should be continuous, as interruptions can easily lead to recurrence.