Winter may be the season for cozying up and drinking hot chocolates by the fire but it is also the season for dryness, rashes, itching, and cracked heels. If you neglect the correct moisturizing, your feet may suffer the consequences.
This winter, you might experience dry, cracked heels due to the cold, dry air, barefoot walking, and long, hot baths. However, you can avoid the itching and agony that can result from dry, cracked heels by knowing what causes them and taking precautions to avoid them. You’ll also have softer, healthier skin as a result.
How To Care For Feet in Winters?
Your feet and heels may develop cracked skin as a result of the dry winter air and interior heating. Heel fissures, which are cracks caused by extremely dry skin, can bleed and hurt if they are too bad. Deep fissures also make it simple for germs and fungi to infiltrate your foot.
- Here are the preventative steps and advice shown below can help you take care of your dry, cracked heels at home:
- Limit showers and baths to 5–10 minutes each. Long baths can dry out the skin and exacerbate dry, cracked heels. When using a towel to gently blot the skin dry, be gentle.
- Use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser, which can aid in preserving the natural oils on the foot.
- Use a moisturising cream with 10% to 25% urea, alpha hydroxy acid, or salicylic acid on the heels as soon as you get out of the shower or bath, while the skin is still damp, and whenever the heels feel dry to lock in moisture. Apply the cream within five minutes of finishing your bath.
- To avoid getting grease on your bedding, apply pure petroleum jelly before going to bed and wear socks at night.
- Guard your heels. Apply a liquid bandage over the cracks in heels during the day to form a barrier that will help reduce discomfort, hasten healing, and stop germs from penetrating the skin.
Put on the correct footwear. Avoid wearing open-heeled footwear, such as flip-flops or slingbacks, as well as footwear that is worn out or that does not fit well, if the heels are dry and cracked.
Some medical conditions, like diabetes, might contribute to broken heels. Consult a board-certified dermatologist if your dry, cracked heels are severe or do not get better after using these remedies.