What causes dry and cracked heels in winter? It is not necessarily caused by dryness and lack of water.

In winter, the skin becomes particularly dry and even flaky, but what causes cracked heels? Is it also caused by dryness? Let’s find out together.

What causes cracked heels in winter?

1. Heels are prone to cracking in cold and dry seasons. The winter climate is dry, and if you don’t do a good job of moisturizing your skin, it will naturally lack moisture.

2. The regeneration ability of the foot epidermis is reduced, the number of sweat glands is reduced, the secretion of sebaceous glands is reduced, and the skin is dehydrated, so the stratum corneum is prone to thickening and cracking. In addition, the stratum corneum of the heels is thicker than that of other parts of the body, which causes the skin to be dry and hard and loses elasticity.

3. Cracked heels may also be a symptom caused by a lack of trace elements, which is related to a lack of vitamins. The relatively reduced intake of fresh vegetables and fruits in winter is also an important reason.

4. Frequent friction causes the skin to become dry and thick, making it prone to chapped skin. Mechanical friction during labor or frequent contact with alkaline substances such as cement, lime, soap, etc. can also cause cracking.

5. Cracked heels may also be caused by local skin fungal infection. In addition, cracked heels are more likely to occur if athlete's foot persists for a long time.

How to treat cracked heels in winter

Banana mash

Take a ripe banana and put its pulp in a small bowl. Then take a suppository and squeeze its liquid into the bowl. Mash it together with the banana pulp into a thin paste and set aside. Before use, wash and dry the chapped skin with warm water, then apply the prepared thin paste of banana pulp to the affected area and rub it repeatedly. Take once a day for 3 to 5 days to cure.

Potato therapy

Boil a potato, peel it, mash it, add a little Vaseline, mix well, and put it in the bottle. When your hands and feet are chapped, apply a small amount to the cracked areas 1-3 times a day. You will see results in a few days.

Anti-rip socks

There is a layer of gel on the market that is added to the inside of ordinary socks. If you don’t accept Band-Aids and there is no obvious swelling on your feet, this can provide slight relief. However, anti-cracking socks are more suitable for people with mild symptoms or for preventing cracking, and are not suitable for people with severe cracking.