Is Your Foot Pain a Result of Cracked Heels?

Cracked heels are a major cause of foot pain. They can be ugly and yellow and make it hurt to stand or walk. Cracked heels can actually change the way you walk and that can contribute to and cause back pain.

If you aren’t using your heels when you walk, a chain reaction can occur in your skeletal frame, especially your spine. Because you’re walking abnormally, your spinal alignment may shift. Your body will want to compensate for the difference. And this could result in a slipped disc or worse.

Cracked heels are also known as heel fissures. Fissures are regular linear cut wounds and mostly affect the surface of the skin but they can also compromise the epidermis.

Sometimes the fissures may go deep into the dermis and become painful. Excessive pressure on the feet pads make the feet expand sideways. Excessively dry skin on the sides of the feet can crack and cause ‘cracked heels’. Appearances of cracked heels may also indicate zinc and omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies.

Cracked heels are very common but can force you to make lifestyle changes too. If you love to wear slaps and sandals, you may be too embarrassed to wear them.

Cracked skin on our heels and feet is caused by excessively dry skin. It can be worse in the winter months or for those who live in dry climates. Going barefoot or wearing open backed shoes can also be drying. Talk about foot pain!!!

As the condition becomes worse, it gets more difficult to treat, since regular moisturizers won't penetrate the dry, dead, thick skin on our heels.

It's important to note that skin problems on the feet can be a sign of other health issues, and particularly people with Diabetes, Circulation, or Skin problems.

You’ll want to discuss any foot pain or foot care regimen with your doctor before treating them, especially if your cracked heels split or bleed.

If you’re like me though, you’re probably only suffering from weathered, uncared for feet. I developed cracked heels shortly after I lost my father. He told me that he his feet were peeling right before he passed, and since then I’ve had a problem too.
(how does that work???)

Prevention of Foot Pain

One of the biggest problem with having cracked heels is that you may be tempted to pick at them. It might not be intentional but rather an unconscious habit.

The only way to keep from picking is to wear shoes and socks as much of the time as possible. It takes the temptation away which helps but also sucks!

You can also soak your feet occasionally too. There are some foot bath products available at any superstore that you can buy, from Dr. Scholl’s and Dr. Palmers. Eating more whole grain foods and getting extra Fish oil, Borage oil, or Flax oil may also be useful. Simply taking a Tablespoon of Safflower Oil or Cold Pressed Olive Oil every week is a good idea.

These oils are rich in Omega 3 fatty acid which are imperative to our circulation and help our lower our bad Cholesterol.(LDL)

Cracked Feet - Products to Try

I’ve read some good reviews online about Flexitol Heel Balm for Cracked Feet products.

Dr. Scholls and Dr. Palmer have their own line of products too, you can pick up online. I have also tried and love Gold Bond Ultimate Skin Therapy Lotion, Healing, Aloe. I keep a tube beside my bed and use it everynight before I go to sleep. It really does help heal your cracked heels!

Even though those products are relatively inexpensive, I found a few other ways to eliminate cracked heels with products you probably already have in your house.

Before you apply anything though, you should file dry skin to make it smooth with a ‘fine’ or ‘medium’ emory board. (Please don’t use sandpaper on your feet, as it may slough the skin too deep and cause bleeding and more foot pain!) Another great product to try is the Pedegg Ped Egg Pedicure Foot File + FREE MIRACLE FOOT REPAIR CREAM.. There are mixed reviews about it but it will keep your feet safe from over filing. That in itself is a major plus!

After you've filed your feet, simply apply a moisturizer or Moisturizing Lip Balm like Chapstick to the dry areas before bed and wear a pair of socks overnight. The next day when you wake up your cracked feet should look and feel so very much better. I was pleasantly surprised when I tried it!

When you get rid of cracked feet you can feel confident going out in public wearing slaps or sandals. It might be just in time for some outdoor fun!

If you have cracked feet and tend to ‘pick at them’! It’s not only a bad habit but can cause more foot pain if you pick at them a lot. Its hard not to do cause you want to get the dead skin off! Using and emory board in conjunction with lip balm makes them so much better! The faster they get better, the less you'll be inclined to pick!

Another product that may help in mild cases, is Vicks Vapor Rub. Apply the Vapor Rub before bed and wear a pair of socks overnight. You’d think that you’d get that mentholatum feel from the Vicks but you don’t. Instead it goes on pretty greasy but then feels dry.

Both Vicks and Lip Balm work about as well as the ointments and lotions that are specially formulated for cracked heels that cause foot pain. So get the relief you need and try something! Cracked heels can be eliminated if you persist!

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To go to the next Healthy Money Saving Tips page, here's the link: Detox Foot Patches - Remove Toxins to Improve Health!

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