Cracked heels or cracks are common problems that can undermine confidence in fact can be very painful. This condition can generally occur due to lack of care, but can also be due to dry or exposed to certain materials. Medically, cracked heels are also known as heel gap due to calluses. This calluses over time due to the pressure of body weight will be spread laterally, become dry and cause cracked heels into. This will affect the surface of the skin consisting of epidermis, and sometimes it can penetrate deep into the dermis and cause pain. Not only because of the above reasons, the heel is dry and cracked also be because the body lacks vitamins, minerals (zinc and iron), and omega-3 fatty acids.
Dry skin or xerosis is also one of the most common causes of cracked heels. Most of these conditions arise due to lack of foot care, and in fact can be overcome or avoided. Although generally harmless, but the cracks in the skin can menyebabka bloody and painful sense. In fact, this can lead to infection, and should be avoided, especially for people with chronic diseases such as diabetes, decreased immune system, age, or other diseases that may inhibit healing cracked heels.
Additionally, sebum production begins to decline with age also tend to cause dry heels and cracked. The skin is too dry, peeling, dry and cracked skin on the heels is a common problem in the elderly. Dry skin on the heels is often repeated, and can affect both heels or just one heel.
Common symptoms of dry skin and cracked:
Signs and symptoms are simple indicators of internal or external conditions damaged skin. If someone felt it carefully, then one can avoid this disease. Foot care is the initial action when it starts to feel some symptoms, so they can be more careful and to avoid so as not to be getting worse. Here's a sign of the early symptoms of this problem:
Red and scaly skin: This is often one of the early symptoms of dry heels and cracked, if ignored, the condition can worsen. Dry skin also becomes more susceptible to infections, and it is important to be addressed immediately.
Skin peeling: Exfoliation is a common symptom that follows the first symptoms. Skin peeling and start cracking is a sign for you for immediate termination step. You should never try to pull the pieces of dry skin, because it can damage the skin still attached. If you feel the need to dispose of it, could use a little slowly and carefully.
Itchy skin: itchy skin caused by the shrinking of the upper skin layer dry. This excessive shrinkage will cause stretching of the skin the bottom and around the affected area, causing discomfort and itching. You have to throw away the top layer of dead skin before you do the treatment for dry heels and cracked.
Bleeding: Bleeding or discharge from cracks in the heels is a very serious matter, because it shows that the cracks have penetrated the lower layers of the network. Cracks on the heels of this will increase the risk of skin infection in this area. Wear closed shoes without socks for dry heels and cracked will only further increase the risk of infections and fungi, for closed shoes will provide a good space for the growth of fungus and infection.
Here are the most common causes:
- Naturally dry skin or thick dry skin (callus) around the heel is more likely to be broken by excessive activity with the foot.
- Standing too long can also cause cracked heels.
- Being overweight can increase the pressure on the normal fat under the heel, causing the skin laterally widened. If the skin does not have the flexibility, the pressure on the foot can lead to cracked heels.
- Foot disease and other disorders such as psoriasis, eczema, thyroid disease, diabetes, and several other skin conditions can also cause cracked heels.
- Feet exposed to water constantly, especially while walking can cause loss of skin's natural oils and can leave skin dry and rough. Long standing in damp places such as bathrooms can also be a cause.
- Scaly skin, thick, dry, and loses its elasticity is also closely related to the age factor. Thus, the older the person, the higher the risk of getting cracked heels.
- Circumstances or conditions that are less clean
- Dry scaly skin and can be due to climatic or disease.
- lack of vitamins, minerals, iron and zinc