How to heal deep, cracked heels

6 Causes of Dry, Cracked Heels

1. Nutritional Deficiencies can Cause Cracked Heels: 5 key vitamins and minerals can cause cracked heels. If you're deficient in any of these, you may want to add them to your diet: Vitamin A (add more green vegetables, milk and eggs), Vitamin C (eat more citrus), Vitamin E (add more nuts and whole grains), Omega 3 foods (more fish oils and eggs), and Zinc (eat more red meat and poultry). 
2. Standing for long periods of time. Make sure to wear comfortable, closed-heel shoes, or go barefoot. But keep the standing in one place to a minimum. 
3. Post-menopause: some women may be more prone to a condition known as “acquired keratoderma” — a skin disorder that can lead to cracked skin on the heels and other parts of the body. It may be worth having your hormones checked.
4. Hot water exposure: if your showers or baths exceed 10 minutes, make sure to moisturize your feet with Beesilk or a Foot Rub Stick right after you bathe.
5. Pregnancy: your posture changes, the way you walk and the added weight gain causes some heels to dry up and become sore. This is a great time for a foot massage. 
6. Diabetics are likely to experience cracked heels because damage to nerves in the feet from uncontrolled blood sugars can cause dry skin. Diabetes reduces blood flow to your feet, depriving your feet of oxygen and nutrients.

7. Dehydration: Insufficient intake of water can cause dehydration, which in turn affects skin hydration, including the skin on the feet.

8. Improper Footwear: Wearing shoes that don't provide adequate support or are too tight can cause friction and pressure on the feet, leading to dryness and calluses. Watch our webinar with Courtney McManus on footwear 

9. Overexposure to Sun: Excessive sun exposure without protection can cause the skin on the feet to become dry, damaged, and prone to cracking.

10. Skin Conditions: Certain skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or athlete's foot can cause dryness, itching, and cracking on the feet and heels.

11. Aging: As people age, the skin tends to become thinner and less able to retain moisture, increasing the likelihood of dryness and cracking.

Take care of your feet the same as with any of the causes above: wash with warm water and goat milk soap, pat dry, apply Beesilk or a Foot Rub Stick. 

You may also want to join us for our yearly challenge: Get Your Feet Sandal Ready: https://store.hardlotion.com/pages/foot-challenge