How to Treat Dry Heels

It's the season for wearing sandals. If you happen to suffer from cracked and dry heels, you may not be so enthusiastic about wearing heel exposing shoes. If you're looking for a treatment for dry heels, you need to not only moisturize but exfoliate the rough, dry outer skin layers that are contributing to your heel problem. Here's a treatment for dry heels that can help to remedy the problem of dry, cracked heels.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Start with a Glycolic Peel.
   
   A heel treatment with glycolic acid helps to slough off the tough, outer layer of skin that covers the heel so moisturizer can more effectively penetrate the area. Look for a product specifically designed for cracked and dry heels and make sure it contains glycolic acid. One product that's effective for this purpose is Avon Foot Works Pedi-Peel. This product comes as pre-moistened pads that can be applied directly to the skin on the heels. Plan on using this product every three days until your dry, cracked heels improve. You can also get a glycolic peel at many medspas that instantly peels away the cracked, dry skin although this is a more expensive way to treat the problem. The glycolic acid concentration used in these peels is higher than what you can buy for home use.

2. Follow Up with Intensive Moisturizing.
   
   Once you've used a glycolic acid based product to remove the outer layer of cracked skin, you'll want to apply moisturizer to the affected areas. Choose an intensive moisturizer that's designed specifically for cracked and dry heels and look for ingredients such as lanolin, petrolatum, and glycerin. An inexpensive one you can purchase at your drugstore is Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Cracked Heel Moisturizing Treatment. Apply moisturizer liberally after twice a day and after every glycolic acid treatment.

3. Preventing Cracked and Dry Heels.
   
   Once the dry, cracked heel skin starts to improve, you'll want to take measures to prevent further dryness and cracking. Avoid wearing socks made of synthetic materials. Choose cotton socks which will allow the skin on your heels to “breathe”. Avoid taking hot showers, swimming in chlorinated pools or going barefoot which can further exacerbate cracked and dry heels. Always apply moisturizer to your entire foot when you step out of the shower.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have diabetes, cracked and dry heels should be treated by a doctor or podiatrist. By doing home treatments, you risk nicking or puncturing your feet which can quickly lead to a secondary infection and ulcers if you're diabetic.