Shoe shopping may be one of your favorite things to do on a weekend, but unfortunately, you can't do it today. Your heels are cracked and you are upset. You can't buy the perfect pair of stilettos you've been planning to buy for three weeks because today, your heels are cracked.

What Cracked Heels Are All About

Cracked heels are very upsetting, unattractive and painful. While it is true that cracked heels are common, it isn't common not to be able to wear basic footwear like a simple pair of sandals. You know that you need to get rid of your cracked heels.

A cracked heel is characterized by excessively dry skin. You're prone to cracked heels if you live where the climate is always dry. Sometimes, the problem gets worse during the winter months. You may think wearing a pair of shoes with an open back will solve your problem, but this will only make things worse.

You need to avoid anything that makes the condition worse because the deeper the cracks, the more difficult they are to treat. Your regular moisturizers won't soften the blow because your excessively dry skin won't absorb these products anymore.

Before knowing the causes of cracked heels, it helps to know what the symptoms are. You know that you have cracked heels if the edge of your heel has thicker skin. Aside from that, the skin of your heel also looks scaly, dry and rough. The rim is hardened, and the affected area is darker than the rest of the skin on your feet.

Factors That Make Your Heels Crack

Cracked heels are among the many problems a lot of people face. The problem is often ignored, no matter how bad the heels look. Most people don't start paying attention to their cracked heels until they become extremely painful.

Would you wait until you experience getting your heels cracked to know what the real deal is, or would you be the wiser one to know the causes of cracked heels? Once you know the different factors that make your heels crack, it means that you also learn how to prevent this problem. Below are the common causes of cracked heels, which you need to know to avoid getting your heels cracked:

• Heel fissures, or dry skin around your the heels' rims
• Thick skin on the heels caused by constant friction and pressure
• Improper way of walking
• Diabetes
• Fungal infection
• Being overweight
• Exposure to dust
• Blood circulation problems

You must remember that if you have a skin problem on your feet, you may be experiencing a more serious health problem. If your feet continue to bleed and become very painful, consult your doctor immediately.

Getting Rid of Cracked Heels

• Start with the basics. You don't really need to buy regular moisturizers to keep your feet healthy. You just need to keep your soles clean and you're sure to get away without developing cracked heels. A hygienic footwear routine is important in preventing and getting rid of cracked heels.
• If you are going to a dirty, dusty or sandy place, wear shoes that cover your feet. Wear shoes that will keep dirt from entering your feet.
• Dust contributes a lot to developing cracked heels. You should wear slippers all the time inside your home because dust particles on the floor will give you cracked heels.

• Make your feet feel good. Soak your feet in warm water and scrub them with pumice for 10 minutes. The dead skin and cells will be removed, leaving your feet healthy and soft. Pumice stone will reduce the thickness of the skin. Once the thickness is reduced, applying moisturizers or foot creams becomes easier. Soft feet will make it easier for these products to penetrate deeper into your skin.
• Avoid further injury by making sure that your heels are dried properly. Leaving moisture in the cracks of your feet will only make the problem worse.
• Soft socks will help prevent cracked heels. Avoid tight-fitting socks or stockings as these won't allow your feet to breathe. Applying foot creams and a good moisturizer twice a day will also do you good. Applying these products before sleeping is important because as you go to bed, your feet won't be exposed to dust. Bed time is the chance for your feet to take a rest, too.

• During the winter season, wear socks as much as possible. The cold weather will make your feet's skin dry, making your feet prone to cracks.
• Avoid wearing shoes that don't fit you well. Aside from the fact that it's obvious they don't look right on you, your feet will also easily crack.
• If you have diabetes and your heels are cracking, consult your doctor immediately. Wounds and cracks become harder to heel if you are suffering from diabetes.

• Being overweight also contributes to having cracked heels. To avoid this, wear heel pads or heel cups. With these, your heels are kept from expanding sideways. Expansion makes your heels crack.
• Pedicure appliances also help treat cracked heels. You can now buy battery-operated pedicure appliances manufactured to remove dry skin and smooth callouses on your toes and heels in just a matter of seconds. The good news is, you don't need to use dangerous blades or harsh chemicals when using a pedicure appliance.

Now, you have learned a lot about cracked heels, from what the problem is all about, to the causes and treatments you have been dying to know. Have you notice that you can make your life easier by doing very basic things like keeping your soles clean to prevent encountering serious problems like cracked heels?

It is depressing and utterly upsetting to have to postpone your shopping day. You know you've been pining for those pair of shoes three weeks ago and for you, it has been a long wait. To prevent making the agonizing wait get longer, follow the aforementioned tips on how to heal cracked heels and you are sure to shop for your dream stilettos sooner than you think you will. If you're pleased with this article, you'll surely love reading getting rid of cracked lips and getting rid of cracked and ridged fingernails.