SUNDAY, Feb. 13, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Dry, cracked heels are common in the winter, but there are several ways to prevent and treat the problem, a skin specialist says.
“Cold, dry weather, walking barefoot, and long, hot showers are just some of the reasons why you may have dry, cracked heels this winter,” dermatologist Dr. Patrick Blake said in an American Academy of Dermatology news release.
Blake offered a number of tips:
- Limit baths and showers to five to 10 minutes. Bathing or showering for too long can dry out your skin and make dry, cracked heels worse. Gently blot your skin dry with a towel.
- Use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser to help your feet retain their natural oils.
- Moisturize within five minutes of bathing with a moisturizing cream that contains 10% to 25% urea, alpha hydroxy acid or salicylic acid. Apply it immediately after bathing and whenever your heels feel dry.
- Before bed, apply plain petroleum jelly to your heels. It’s a good idea to wear socks to protect your bedding.
- Apply a liquid bandage over heel cracks during the day to create a protective barrier that can help reduce pain, speed healing, and block germs from getting into your skin.
- Wear proper footwear. If you have dry, cracked heels, avoid open-heeled shoes such as flip-flops or slingbacks, worn-down shoes, or shoes that don’t fit properly.
“Sometimes, cracked heels are caused by a medical condition, such as diabetes,” Blake said. “If your dry, cracked heels are severe or do not improve after following these tips, talk to a board-certified dermatologist.”
SOURCE: American Academy of Dermatology, news release, Feb. 1, 2022
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Health News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
Denial of responsibility! NewsAzi is an automatic aggregator around the global media. All the content are available free on Internet. We have just arranged it in one platform for educational purpose only. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, all materials to their authors. If you are the owner of the content and do not want us to publish your materials on our website, please contact us by email – [email protected]. The content will be deleted within 24 hours.
