Dry Feet
Dry Heels
Dry heels are a very common condition, there are several causes of dry heels. The heels of the foot are often put under stressful conditions due to how we walk. Dry heels can be caused by extensive athletic endeavors, such as running and playing sports. These activities place a lot of pressure on the heels; the quick movements and sweaty conditions agitate the skin. This causes the skin to thicken, which leads to dry heels or cracked heels. Dry heels also arise from the same conditions that cause any skin to become dry. Dry air or a lack of water in a persons daily diet can lead to dry skin on your heels as well as the rest of your body.
How to prevent dry heels
There are a few steps you can take to prevent dry heels. First, do not soak your feet in extremely hot water for too long. Hot water will actually rob your skin of moisture, making it drier. It's better to use luke warm water when soaking your feet. Excessive use of soap can also lead to dry heels. If you have dry heels, it might be better to use moisturizing soap when cleaning your feet. After you soak your feet, remember to apply moisturizer to your dry heels. Your choice of footwear can also help prevent dry heels. Choose shoes that fit your feet well, as shoes that fit poorly can agitate the skin.
How to cure dry heels
Its fairly straight forward to cure dry heels. Dry, rough skin on your heels should be gently removed on a regular basis. Start by soaking your feet in lukewarm water for several minutes. Afterwards, use a pedifile or pumice stone to rub the skin off your dry heels. You can also use an exfoliating agent on your skin to help get rid of the dead skin on your heels. Aside from removing dead skin, make sure you apply moisturizer on your dry heels whenever you bathe. This will help keep the moisture in and cure your dry heels. The key to treating dry heels is consistency, if you take care of your heels regularly, they will improve. If this sounds like too much work for you, you can always get someone else to do it! Most spas offer pedicures which will help improve your dry heels. However, this option is much more expensive than doing it yourself.