What – Define the problem

Cracked heel is a common ailment affecting people of all genders. It is often a source of embarrassment
and even pain.

Why – Reasons for the problem’s occurance

Some of the causes are :

 Dry skin

 Prolonged standing, especially on hard floors

 Biomechanical issues that increase pressure in the heel area such as a poor posture

 Obesity, which increases the pressure on the normal fat pad under the heel, causing it to expand
sideways

 Open backs on shoes or sandals, which allow the fat pads in the heel to expand sideways and
increase pressure on the skin

 Walking around barefooted

 Genetics

 Ill-fitting shoes or sandals that don’t support the heels

 Deficiency of vitamins, minerals, or zinc

 Hormonal conditions such as thyroid or estrogen imbalances

Circulation problems

When

Cracked heels are splitting or cracking of the heels due to dryness or thickening of the skin
(callus). Callus around the circumference of the heel is the beginning process of cracking.

where

Having dry, rough, or cracked skin on the feet is common. The feet have fewer oil glands than other
areas of the body, and they experience daily wear and tear. Dry skin often appears on the heels and
sides of the feet and between the toes. It may make the affected area feel itchy, tight, and even painful.
Although this may be irritating, it is rarely harmful.

Who

Cracked heel is a common ailment affecting people of all genders

How

The following everyday factors may cause dry skin on the feet:

 A lack of moisture. Dry, cracked, and flaking skin is especially common on the heel and sole
because these areas have fewer oil glands than skin elsewhere on the body.

 Irritation. Standing for too long or wearing poorly fitting shoes can put constant pressure on
specific areas of the feet or cause friction of the skin. As a result, these areas of the feet may
become dry, calloused, or cracked.

 Heat and humidity. Closed shoes, such as sneakers and boots, create an extremely hot and
humid environment for the feet. Heat and humidity draw moisture from the skin, which can lead
to dry, thick, or cracked areas on the feet.

 Soaps. Soaps and body washes that contain harsh chemicals or irritants can strip moisture from
the skin. Failing to wash excess soap off the feet can also cause these problems.

 Aging. Over time, the skin loses its ability to retain water, becoming thinner and less plump.
Older people may be more likely to experience dry skin as a result of the natural aging process.

 Medications. Certain medications, including diuretics, can cause dry skin on the feet.

Dry skin on the feet may also occur as a result of a medical condition, such as:

 Athlete’s foot. Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that causes a scaly rash between the toes and
underneath the foot.

 Eczema. Eczema refers to a group of conditions that cause skin inflammation. People can

develop eczema anywhere on their bodies. Common symptoms of eczema include dry, crusty, or
itchy patches of skin.

 Psoriasis. Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes thick, scaly patches of skin.
People can develop psoriatic patches almost anywhere on their body, including their feet.

 Hypothyroidism. People with hypothyroidism may develop extremely dry feet because their

thyroid gland cannot regulate the sweat glands in the feet, which can lead them to become dry.

Diabetes. Living with uncontrolled diabetes may result in damage to the peripheral nerves, which is
called neuropathy. Neuropathy can affect the nerves that regulate oil and moisture in the feet, which
can cause the feet to become dry or cracked
How does it affect , why it is important to solve

Dead cells on the surface of the skin naturally fall off, and new cells take their place. When a person
does not remove the buildup of dead skin cells, they can form thick, flaky patches on the feet.

Over time, dry areas can become thick or cracked, especially on the heels. Cracked heels make the feet
vulnerable to infection, while thick calluses can make walking difficult or uncomfortable

How things should work

Treatments and remedies

Dead cells on the surface of the skin naturally fall off, and new cells take their place. When a person
does not remove the buildup of dead skin cells, they can form thick, flaky patches on the feet.

Over time, dry areas can become thick or cracked, especially on the heels. Cracked heels make the feet
vulnerable to infection, while thick calluses can make walking difficult or uncomfortable.

Here we discuss five of the best ways to treat dry skin and remove dead skin from the feet.

1. Exfoliate

Exfoliation involves removing dead surface-layer skin using either a physical or chemical exfoliator.

Physical exfoliators include:

 foot scrubs

 body brushes

 electronic callus removers

People can buy foot scrubs or make their own at home by mixing honey, warm water, and sugar.

Chemical exfoliators take the form of lotions or thin liquids. They contain ingredients that dissolve dead
cells on the surface of the skin, such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, and alpha-hydroxy acid.

Foot peels are popular chemical exfoliators that manufacturers have designed specifically for the feet.
Some foot peels contain artificial fragrances and alcohols that can irritate sensitive skin, so it is
important to check the list of ingredients for any potential allergens or irritants before buying a foot
peel.

For a gentler foot peel, people can use chemical exfoliators that the label describes as being suitable for
facial use.

2. Foot soak
Soaking the feet in warm water containing oatmeal or Epsom salt helps soothe and loosen dry skin while
improving blood circulation to the feet, which can help prevent dry skin in the future.

Adding a small amount of vinegar to a foot soak may help treat mild forms of athlete’s foot. Vinegar has
powerful antimicrobial properties that may help disinfect the feet and even eliminate foot odor.

3. Pumice stone or foot file

People can use a pumice stone or metal foot file to remove dry skin and calluses from the feet.

They can do this by following the steps below:

1. Soak the feet in warm water to soften the dead skin.

2. Wet the pumice stone or foot file with warm water.

3. Gently rub the pumice stone or foot file over the dead skin or callus. Use circular motions with a
pumice stone and gentle back-and-forth motions with a foot file.

4. Rinse the dead skin off the feet. Repeat step three as necessary.

5. Pat the feet dry with a clean towel.

6. Moisturize the feet with cream, lotion, or oil.

People can buy pumice stones in drug stores or choose between brands online.

4. Moisturize

Regularly moisturizing the feet will help reduce existing dry skin and prevent new dry skin from
accumulating. Moisturizing the feet after using an exfoliator or a pumice stone will help the skin lock in
moisture.

It is best to avoid lotions, creams, and moisturizers that contain alcohol, added fragrances, and artificial
colors as these ingredients can worsen dry skin.

Instead, a person should look for products that contain:

 humectants, such as urea, aloe, and hyaluronic acid

 emollients, which include plant-based butter and oil

 occlusives, such as petrolatum, lanolin, and coconut oil

some of the currently available medicines for cracked feet are

1)Footmark Cream 65 Rs contains urea,lactic acid,propylene glycol,liquid paraffin cream

2)Solecare cream 50gm,157 Rs Solecare cream contains Dead Sea minerals, Aloe Vera gel, Vitamin
E, Wheat Germ oil, Soybean oil, Isopropyl Palmitate and Glycerin.

3)Himalaya Footcare Cream 20gm,55Rs This contains Honey,Turmeric,Sal Tree,Ginger,Fenugreek

4)Apollo Farmacy 30gm, 80 Rs This contains Haldi, Mal Kangni,Mulethi, Neem, Bakuchi, Chakramard,
Devdaru, Mandukpurni, Curry Patta, Daruhaldi, Manjistha, Rakt Chandan & Eucalyptus Oil

Why they are not so effective

1)contain chemical composition

2)cost

3)weight

4)we have to apply consistently

5)not effective for thick, flaky patches on the feet.

on dry areas that become thick or cracked, especially on the heel, feet vulnerable to infection

6)not a long lasting solution

Solution

The best ingredients for dry skin are natural oils, shea butter, beeswax,
and essential oils. For this recipe, I am using jojoba oil which is very
moisturizing. If jojoba oil is not in your DIY cabinet, sweet almond oil,
olive oil, and fractionated coconut oil would be a great substitute for
jojoba as they are all very moisturizing.

ojoba oil
Jojoba oil has anti-inflammatory properties making it great for dry,
chapped skin. It can help reduce redness, cracked skin and restore
damaged skin.
Jojoba oil is very moisturizing, anti-bacterial, and is a natural
antioxidant. It is hypoallergenic, making it great for sensitive skin.

shea butter
Shea butter has some surprisingly incredible benefits for the skin. It’s
one of those ingredients I try to sneak into all of my DIY skincare
products. It has a beautiful texture and makes the best lotion.

Shea butter comes from the fat found in the nuts of a shea tree. It has
been used in the cosmetic industry for many, many years. Shea butter is
loaded with vitamins and fatty acids that are great for the skin.

It is good for almost all skin types, cleansing for the skin, very
moisturizing, and can help boost collagen production. Shea butter can
help promote healthy-looking skin and reduce dry, cracked skin.

beeswax
The beeswax in this recipe serves three purposes: it gives the foot balm
the perfect texture, it allows us to store and apply it straight from a foot
balm stick, and beeswax adds several benefits to the balm.

Beeswax creates a protective layer on the skin, making it great for the
feet. It traps in moisturize and leaves the skin hydrated. Beeswax is a
good source of vitamin A which can help reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and
other signs of aging, which I guess is probably not really a concern for
your feet.

essential oils for foot balm

Cooling essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and spearmint are
great essential oils to add to homemade foot balm. These oils can cool
and soothe the skin.

Other essential oils that are great for the skin are tea tree. lavender, and
frankincense. These essential oils can help cleanse and purify the skin.
Tea tree oil has anti-fungal properties, making it a great oil to apply to
the feet.
vitamin e oil
Vitamin E oil is added to many skincare products, especially to anti-
aging skincare. It is a natural antioxidant and moisturizing. Vitamin E
oil can help with skin issues such as eczema and really itchy skin.

how to use homemade foot balm

Swipe a thin layer of the foot balm to the bottom of feet twice daily. For
best results, apply before bed and in the morning. I like to wear a pair of
socks overnight to help the balm soak into the soles of my feet.

If needed, apply more balm to the heels and massage into the skin using
your fingers. The foot balm can stay on the feet and does not need to be
washed off.

This foot balm stick is great for traveling or carrying in your purse. I
recently made a traveling body butter stick for the inevitable cracking
skin in the winter months.

how long does diy foot balm last?

If stored in a cool, dry place, this foot balm should last up to 6 months.
It can be stored at room temperature but avoid direct sunlight and hot
temperatures.

Vitamin E oil works as a natural preservative and helps the ingredients

to last longer. Adding an antioxidant like vitamin E antioxidant or
rosemary antioxidant will help extend the product’s shelf life.