How to Fix Cracked Heels

So you have dry, cracked heels, and here is how you can fix them. I know that these methods work because my heels become very dry and cracked in the winter months and this is how I solve the problem. Once you find out how easy it is to keep your foot problem under control, you will be much happier knowing your feet and heels look hydrated and feel soft as can be.

These remedies will also work on dry, cracked hands, so if your hands also get chapped and dry, here's a way for you to fix them along with your heels and feet.l.

First, let's see the reasons why skin on your heels becomes dry and cracked.

There are many reasons why the skin on your heels becomes dry and cracks. Some are much easier to fix than others. Here are the top ten reasons why your heels crack:

• Cold winter weather
• Dehydration
• Hot water
• Harsh soaps
• Nutritional Deficiency
• Obesity
• Over scrubbing
• Skin conditions - Diabetes, Eczema, Psoriasis
• Thyroid problems
• Aging

Some of the fixes for your cracked heels are fairly easy and won't require much effort. That's great news for some of you. For some, however, it might be a bit more difficult and require more diligence than others. There is hope for everyone with dry, cracked heels, it just depends how willing you are to do what is necessary to fix the problem.

Here is the easiest cure for cracked heels if your dry skin is not caused by a nutritional deficiency, a skin or health condition, If your cracked heels are caused by hot water, over-scrubbing, or harsh soaps, the fix is very easy.

Wash using warm water, not hot. Switch from harsh soaps to a moisturizing soap. Gently rub, do not over scrub your heels when you wash them.

Put some heavy duty moisturizer on your feet and slip on cotton socks. Wear this combo to bed and your feet and heels should be softer in the morning. I use Vaseline when I do this and it does the trick! These simple changes may be all the fix your feet need.

Another fairly simple way to fix cracked heels is to drink plenty of water. The skin is the body's largest organ and it needs water to stay soft, young, and supple. If you are not getting all the water you need your skin will become dry and that will lead to cracked heels.

The recommended amount of water we should drink each day is at least 64 ounces a day. If you are not drinking enough water and your heels are showing signs of dryness and cracking, this could be why. Start drinking more water right away.

If our bodies do not get all the vitamins and nutrients it needs to function properly we will begin to see the results quickly. There are a few vitamins and minerals that we need to keep our skin moist and hydrated.

They are:

Vitamin A - Adults should get between 700 mcg for women and 900 mcg for men per day - you can find Vitamin A in milk, eggs, oranges, carrots, and green veggies.

Vitamin C - Adults should get between 75 mg for women to 120 mg for men per day - you can get Vitamin C in citrus fruits, strawberries, peppers, papayas, kiwi, black currants, brussels sprouts, and leafy green vegetables .

Vitamin E - Adults should get 15 mg per day - you can find Vitamin E in green vegetables, sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach, and whole grain products.

Omega -3 Acids - Adults should get 4,000 milligrams of Omega-3 fatty acids per day - these Omega-3 can be found in fish oils such as salmon or cod liver oils, tuna, sardines, anchovies, flax seeds, egg yolks, walnuts

Zinc - Adults need between 8 mg of Zinc for women, and at least 11 mg for men daily - you can find Zinc in mushrooms, red meat, poultry, seafoods, spinach, wheat germ, whole grains, to name a few.

Plan your diet around the vitamins and minerals you need to fuel your body and provide the nutrients you need to stay fit and healthy. Ask your doctor about your diet and what vitamin & mineral supplements you should be taking. He or she, after all, is the expert in that area. You don't want to take too little or too much of certain supplements, so be sure to go over your regimen with your health care provider.

Dry, cracked heels sometimes are caused by health issues such as eczema, psoriasis, diabetes, thyroid problems, and even obesity. The best way to deal with the cracked heels you get from health problems is to discuss it with your doctor. Keep hydrated by drinking lots of water, sleep with lotion or vaseline on your feet covered with cotton socks...and follow the steps your doctor gives you.

Winter is a fact of life for most of us and if the cold weather brings dry air and cracked heels with it, many of us will just have to learn how to reverse the results of cold, chilling weather. That means we will have to take better care of our feet and spend more time on correcting our cracked heels. If we give our feet the care they need, you will be pleasantly rewarded with soft, moist feet instead of dry, cracked skin on our heels. The good news is, it won't take a lot of time to keep your feet smooth and soft during the winter months. A few minutes a day is all the time your cracked heels will need to become supple and soft again.

Here are a few ways to cure cracked heels caused by cold weather:

1. Drink plenty of H2O - water
2. Take warm showers not Hot ones
3. Put lots of moisturizing lotion or vaseline on your feet and wear cotton socks to bed.

There's a lot of information on this page and now it's up to you to figure out what is causing your dry, cracked heels. Once you know why this is happening you can control it in the future by taking the steps you need to prevent it.

First, I would use a nice foot scrub lotion and clean my feet. Dry them well. Put Vaseline on before bed and cover my feet with white cotton socks. That should help right away. Then begin to drink more water, make sure your diet is up to standards and you are getting the nutrients you need to keep your body healthy. Find gentle soaps and cleaners, use warm water instead of hot, scrub your feet and heels gently with a foot brush.

When you take these steps your heels should be soft and smooth!