Cracked and dry feet: what to do

The crack in the feet appears when the skin is very dry and, therefore, ends up breaking with the weight of the body and the small pressures of day-to-day activities, such as running for the bus or climbing stairs, for example.

Thus, the best way to prevent the appearance of smeared skin with cracks in the heels consists mainly of keeping your feet well hydrated, applying cream at least once a day.

However, for those who already have dry and cracked feet, there is a ritual of care that leaves the skin again silky and soft, allowing you to use sandals and slippers without shame.

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. Make a moisturizing scalding feet

The first step consists of scalding feet, to soften the skin and open the pores, allowing the moisturizer to be well absorbed by all layers of skin.

To make the scalding feet you must:

Place a little warm water in a basin until it reaches a height of 8 to 10 cm, or a height that allows the entire foot to be submerged in water; Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of moisturizer, depending on the amount of water; Mix the cream well in the water, to dissolve completely; Soak your feet for 5 to 10 minutes, to ensure that the skin is soft and absorbs the cream.

Ideally, scalding feet should not be done with very hot water, or without moisturizing cream, as it will open and attack the pores, and may make your skin drier.

2. Dry your feet properly

After finishing the scalding of the feet it is very important to dry the skin well, to prevent the growth of fungi, especially between the toes. However, one should avoid rubbing the towel on the skin, as this action makes the skin more irritated and contributes to increased dryness.

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

3. Remove excess skin with sandpaper

This step of the ritual is optional and usually should only be done when there are no more cracks, but the skin is still thick and dry. In these cases, after drying your foot with a towel, but before letting them dry in the open air, you should use a foot file, or a pumice stone, for example, to make light movements on the heel and remove excess 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 rinse your foot in warm water again, or remove the skin that came out, using a towel, for example.

4. Apply a moisturizer

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

In case you have a moisturizing cream of the most common, see a recipe to make it a super moisturizing cream and suitable for cracked feet.

After applying the cream, a sock should be worn to ensure that it is not removed by the shoes and that it is completely absorbed by the skin. In addition, the sock helps the foot not slip, avoiding possible falls. A good option is to do the ritual before bed, so that the socks are kept for a few hours and without the pressure of the shoe.

Check out the following video on how to make a great homemade moisturizer to save your foot:

Main causes of cracked foot

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

Walking barefoot for a long time; Wearing sandals and slippers frequently; Being overweight; Bathing in very hot water.

In addition, those who do not drink the necessary amount of water during the day also have drier skin and, therefore, are more likely to get their feet quickly dry. Here's how to calculate the amount of water you should drink each day to ensure a healthier body.

Whoever has these risk factors should apply moisturizer at least once a day, after bathing or before bedtime, for example, to ensure that the skin is well hydrated and that it is not at risk of breaking during the day. the day.