How to Treat Dry and Cracked Feet?

Cracked feet arise when the skin is very dry and, therefore, cracks with the weight of the body and pressure on the feet by daily activities such as walking, running or climbing stairs.

So the best way to prevent this from happening, and fissures in the heels are generated, is mainly to keep the feet well hydrated, putting cream at least 1 time per day.

However, for those who already have dry and cracked feet, there is a ritual of care that leaves the skin silky and soft again, allowing sandals and flip flops to be used without causing embarrassment.

Home Treatment Ritual

This treatment ritual for cracked feet should be done at least twice a week or every day, during periods when the feet are very dry.

1. Soak your Feet in Warm Water and Hydrate

The first step is to soak the feet in hot water so that the skin softens and the pores open, allowing the moisturizer to be well absorbed by all layers of the skin.

To do this you must:

• Place some warm water inside a bucket  until it reaches a height of 8 to 19 cm, or a height that allows the entire foot to be submerged in the water; 
• Add 1 to 2 tablespoon of moisturizer , depending on the amount of water;
• Mix the cream well in the water,  so that it dissolves completely;
• Soak them for 5 to 10 minutes, to ensure that the skin stays soft and the cream is absorbed.

Ideally, soaking is not done with very hot water, or without the moisturizer, as it will open and damage the pores, leaving the skin drier.

2. Dry Feet Correctly

After soaking the feet in warm water it is very important to dry the skin well, to avoid the growth of fungi, especially between the toes. However, you should avoid rubbing the towel on the skin, as this action leaves the skin more irritated and contributes to worsening dryness.

So, the ideal is to dry the skin with slight movements of pressure on the skin, to remove excess water, and then leave the feet outdoors for 2 minutes, so that they dry completely.

3. Remove Excess Skin with Sandpaper

This ritual step is optional and generally should only be done when there are no cracks, but the skin is still thick and dry. In these cases, after drying the foot with the towel, but before allowing them to dry in the open air, a foot sandpaper, or a pumice stone should be used, for example, to make slight movements on the heel and remove the excess of Dead skin.

This technique can also be done in other drier regions of the foot such as the side of the big toe. Then, you can soak your foot again in warm water, or remove the skin that came out, using a towel.

4. Place a Moisturizer

When the foot is already completely dry, a little moisturizer should be placed to close the pores and finish the skin hydration. The thicker the cream, the greater the degree of hydration, but the choice can be made according to the preferences of each person.

After placing the cream, a stocking should be worn to make sure that it is not removed by the footwear and that it is completely absorbed by the skin. In addition to this, the average helps the foot does not slip, avoiding possible falls. A good option is to do the ritual before bed, so that the stockings are maintained for a few hours and without the pressure of the shoe.

Main Causes of Cracked Feet

The main cause of cracked feet is the lack of hydration, which leaves the skin less flexible and easier to dry out. However, there are some factors that contribute to the lack of hydration such as:

• Walking a lot barefoot
• Frequently use sandals and flip flops;
• Be above the ideal weight;
• Take a bath with very hot water. 

In addition to this, who does not drink the amount of water needed during the day also has a drier skin and, therefore, has a better chance of getting dry feet.

Those who have these risk factors should put on a moisturizer at least once a day, after bathing or before bedtime, for example, to ensure that the skin is well hydrated and that you do not run the risk of cracking during the day a day.