Treatment for cracked heels: The problem of cracked heels is quite common. Whether it's winter or summer, many people experience this problem. Initially, a slight line appears, then it turns into a deep crack, making walking difficult. Sometimes, the heel begins to bleed, and the pain becomes so severe that even walking in slippers becomes difficult. In this article, learn about the causes and deficiencies in cracked heels, and what to do to prevent them.

Why do cracked heels occur? (Cracked Heels Causes)
The skin on our feet is slightly thicker than the rest of the body, but the area under the heel (the heel area) is under constant pressure when walking, standing, or bearing weight. If the skin in this area is dry, dehydrated, or lacks the production of natural oils that maintain moisture, the skin hardens and cracks. Causes of this can include excessive dryness of the skin on the feet, prolonged standing, washing feet with foamy chemical soaps, lack of humidity (especially in winter), hormonal changes, and reported medical conditions such as thyroid, psoriasis, and diabetes. This means that cracked heels aren't just a problem of dry skin, but a sign of underlying health issues.

Which Vitamin Causes Cracked Heels?
Cracked heels aren't just caused by winter or dry weather. Often, they're caused by a lack of essential nutrients. When our skin lacks essential vitamins and minerals, it loses its moisture, strength, and healing ability. Deficiencies in three vitamins and certain minerals are considered the main causes.

Vitamin E Deficiency
Vitamin E acts as a natural shield for the skin. It helps skin cells retain moisture, keeping it soft and flexible. But when the body lacks it, the skin becomes dry, lifeless, and stretched. This causes the heels, where the skin is thickest and most prone to friction, to dry out and crack rapidly.

Vitamin C Deficiency
Vitamin C is called the skin's repair master. It helps produce collagen, which keeps the skin strong and smooth. If vitamin C is low in the body, new cells cannot be formed quickly. Instead of healing, cracked heels can become deeper and more painful because the skin's healing ability is significantly slowed.

Vitamin B Deficiency
Vitamin B3 (niacin) and vitamin B7 (biotin) are essential for maintaining skin thickness and quality. Their deficiency can cause skin to become thin, fragile, and easily cracked. If these vitamins are deficient for a long time, heels not only become cracked but also become irritated, itchy, and red.

Zinc and Omega-3 Fatty Acid Deficiency
Zinc accelerates wound healing and new skin formation within the body. When zinc is low, cracked heels do not heal quickly. Sometimes cracked heels become so deep that walking becomes difficult. Omega-3 plays a major role in maintaining the skin's natural oil balance. If it is low, the skin's oil balance is disrupted, leaving the skin dry from within. This is why Omega-3 deficiency causes frequent cracked heels.

What to do if your heels crack? (Cracked Heels Remedies)
1. Soak your feet in lukewarm water. Soaking for 10 minutes softens the hardened skin.

2. Gently rub with a pumice stone or foot file, removing only the superficial dead skin without causing pain.

3. Apply a mixture of glycerin, Vaseline, and a few drops of lemon. This moisturizes the heels and helps heal cracks.

4. Wear socks at night. This locks in moisture and keeps skin soft until morning.

What deficiency causes cracked heels? (Heels Crack Nutrient Deficiency)
Vitamin E (almonds, peanut butter, sunflower seeds, avocado)

Vitamin C (amla, lemonade, oranges, tomatoes, broccoli)
Biotin (bananas, eggs, oats, peanuts)
Zinc (cashews, chickpeas, kidney beans, pumpkin seeds)
Omega-3 (flax seeds)
Walnuts, mustard, or canola oil)

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