Every season has its positive as well as negative part and crack heels are one of the cons of winter season. People take variety of precautions in order to keep their heels in good condition during winter. The dry skin can cause variety of complications such as cracks, tenderness and bleeding. You can develop crack of skin on both sides of the heels which can become worse with the full blow of winter.
You have to prevent such cracking of heels and feel the softness of heels in such an extreme climatic variation during winter. The article will bring out some of the foot care tips for both men and women during the winter season. Some simple home remedies can also work well in treating cracked heels.
As soon as winter arrives, people get very cautious about their skin and physical health. Many people have a tendency of getting cracks in their skin layers especially on feet during the winter season. If you don’t care about it, these can give rise to severe problems. Some people tend to bleed along with crack heals. Even if you are willing to wear beautiful footwear according to your desire, these cracked heals will get you nowhere. Therefore, it is important to keep extra care of your feet when the winter season approaches.
During winter your skin becomes dry and prone to wrinkles. You need to take good care of your skin by using creams and moisturizers. Not all types of creams and products are suitable for people with different skin tone. The treatment for people with dry skin will be different and the treatment for oily skin people will be different.
Let us find out the ways through which we can make our winter free from crack. People have the habit of applying the moisturizer day and night. But, only this may not help you get crack free winter.
Foot care tips during winter
Cleansers
It is important to choose the right cleanser so as to avoid any infection. It is necessary to keep your feet clean and free from dirt in winter but if the correct or suitable cleanser is not used the chemicals may have harmful reactions on the skin. If your skin is sensitive, then the effects can be dangerous.
Rough skin removal
Skin removal might sound harsh but that is not what we meant. Rough, dry and cracked up foot looks dull and unattractive. Removing this rough skin will give way to a new healthy and glowing feet.
Sweat free feet
One of the things that should be kept in check is the sweating of the feet. Necessary precautions should be taken to avoid sweat and odor like, applying foot powder before wearing socks or drops of sandalwood or chamomile oil etc., otherwise it will lead to cracked skin.
Baking soda
Baking soda has a natural exfoliating quality, and thus a perfect foot care solution. It exfoliates through the rough spots and cleanses your heels. Baking soda also acts as a softening agent for the skin and helps in relaxing the feet.
Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil is actually an essential oil which helps in providing a calm and cooling sensation to the feet. When your feet are chapped and dry, peppermint oil will help in quick relaxation and moisturize your feet. It has antimicrobial properties which are really great in easing the pain from the feet in winter.
Washing your footwear
The key to having a healthy and soft foot is to always keep it clean. Dirt can come from the footwear also, so it is very important to clean or wash the footwear on a routine basis so as to keep it hygienic and dirt free.
Using socks
One of the important ways to keep your feet protected is through the socks. Just after winter hats and gloves, socks are also equally important. If your skin near the heels get wet, this can easily soften your tissue on the feet and make it more likely towards skin trauma. Even, blisters, cuts and abrasions are quite common in this situation. There is also a risk of frostbite, if individuals are exposed to the extreme climate without any protection. Thus, using socks for both male and female during the winter days is very important.
Getting arch support
It is quite common for women to go through the pregnancy or post pregnancy periods. Weight gain is quite a common procedure. In such a situation, getting strains in arches is quite common. Arch support is an important consideration. As soon as a lady gains extra weight, strains on arches can be a common factor. This becomes very severe when winter arrives. You must add some arch supports into your shoes to get an excellent coverage. There are many branded shoes available in the market that is backed with the arch support.
Shoes according to needs
Special shoes are manufactured during the winter months to keep your feet cozy and warm. Cold wind blowing outside must not touch your feet. Thus, you must choose the shoes according to your needs. Keeping your warm and cozy must be one of an important objective during winters. If your feet is very sensitive and are prone to injuries, it is important to select the right type of shoe according to your need.
Moisturizing
Before going to bed at night during the winter season, you must moisturize your feet very well. This will be an important step for both male and female during the winter days. Keeping feet over the floor can cause cold to affect your feet immediately. You must be very cautious about such situation.
Give break to your feet
If you are using your feet while doing several activities throughout the day, this is the time to give your feet some rest. If you are walking on high heels, this might harm your ankle position. You must wear flat shoes and sandals for some time to give your feet some rest. Avail some shoes with stretchable fabrics that can fit your feet really well without any complications. Even if you are walking for the entire day, this is the time to provide some break.
Regular pedicure
It is essential for you to get into a habit of weekly or fortnightly pedicures at good, professional parlors, especially during the winter seasons. It is most likely that dead skin will appear on your ankles and you may get chapped ankles. In such cases you shall get a pedicure so that your feet are soft and lively. If you are not able to afford the professional help, then you can also do it yourself at home. You can soak your feet in water with hydrogen peroxide mixed in it. After a few minutes scrub the dead skin and soak it again. Clip the nails and file them and them moisture your feet for a smooth soft skin.
Trim your toe nails
A frequent cause of ulcers and infections in your feet are the untrimmed or infected toenails. You can soak your nails in water and then trim them to avoid any risk of infection to your feet.
Peel masks
Just like your face, even your feet needs the some peel masks. Use the peel masks available in the market that contain glycolic acid. This helps remove the dead skin cells or the cracked skin. Apply the mask and wear your booties for a while. Then rinse off your feet and get smooth and softer feet.
Foot exfoliate
You need to go for exfoliation of feet and remove all dead skin forming around the heels. There are some home remedies to get the exfoliation a natural touch. Sugar and olive oil exfoliate is one of the famous and effective way to remove the dead skin from your skin. All you have to do is take a separator and add some olive oil in it and a spoon of sugar. Now apply it over your foot and heels slowly rubbing fingers around the heels. This will remove dead skin and get you free from cracks.
Home spa
You can also provide spa treatment to your feet right at home. First of all you need to take a bowl where your feet can be dipped. Pour some lukewarm water and soak your feet in it for 10 minutes. This will make your dead skin soft and easily detachable. Now use the pumice stone and rub it around your heels and remove dead skin from your heels. Now wash it to remove the extracted dead skin layer. Now wipe off water with a towel from your feet and apply butter milk moisturizer.
Hydration of feet
Not only your body but even your feet should be properly hydrated so that the cracks and tenderness of heels can be avoided. Some people have habit of taking vigorous hot shower or hot bath which is really harmful and can lead to dehydration of skin. If you want to keep your skin hydrated, go ahead with drinking water on a regular basis that too in a good amount. Everyday 3-4 glasses of water are not enough. Go for double the count when it comes to drinking of water in order to stay hydrated.
Coconut oil massage
Massaging feel can make it keep hydrated and nourished for a longer period of time as the pores of skin absorbs the massaging oil and replenish the moisture. Coconut oil is wonderful oil that can help you massage your feel. Take two spoons of coconut oil and massage your feet slowly till the skin absorbs the oil inside it. This will give you soft and attractive feet.
Warm bath for feet
Your rough and cracked feet should be soaked in water that is warm. This is one of the best ways to remove the dead skin layer from the heels and feet. Once the feet is soaked in warm water for few minutes, the skin will become soft. Now you can use shower gel and rub it around your heels. Pumice stone can be used to remove the hard surface as well. All your hard skin will be removed and will be replaced with the soft once. There after you can use a moisturizer. This is most easy and effective remedy for cracked feet.
Banana foot mask
Foot masks are really popular in the market. This is one of the natural way to care your feet when it is winter. First of all you have to clean your feet in such a way that not a single dust or particles remain. There after you can apply banana mask over it. Take a over ripe banana for this purpose and smash the banana. Add lemon juice on it. Mix both the ingredients really well and apply over your feet. Now apply this pulp over your feet. Use the kitchen foil paper to cover it. You need to keep the mask for 15 minutes. Then wash it with plain water. Apply olive oil or a moisturizer after you have washed the mask from the feet.
