Moisturize Your Cracked Heels For Smooth Summer Skin

Out of sight, out of mind. That’s what often happens to your feet. You are so busy playing tennis or softball, hiking our gorgeous Denver area trails, or spending long hours on your feet at work, that you have little time to think about their health and condition. Summer is a prime time for skin problems like cracked heels to develop.

This is partly because you wear sandals and open back shoes more often, so your heels are exposed to the dry air. It may also be because you perspire more, don’t drink enough, or can’t kick your habit of taking long, hot showers or baths—even in summer. Age and certain diseases like diabetes or psoriasis compound the problem. Here are some tips to help you keep your skin in better condition this summer:

• Use your morning shower as a trigger for action. Think water = wet = moisturize. Don’t use harsh soaps, don’t rub at the skin (pat it dry), but do follow up with a good moisturizer.
• Choose the right type of product. You want to avoid lotions that contain any form of alcohol or harsh chemicals that irritate the skin (many do). Baby lotion is acceptable. So are some of the homemade preparations you may find online, or just plain coconut or olive oil can work, too.
• Drink enough water. We can’t overemphasize the importance of getting enough fluids.
• Protect your feet. Because feet have no oil glands like the rest of your skin, they depend on sweat glands to moisturize. This doesn’t work as well if you run around barefoot a lot, or constantly wear sandals and open shoes in the summer. Alternate by wearing moisture-wicking socks and supportive, cushioned shoes part of the time, to keep your skin moister and protect them from pressure.
• Greasy is good! Moisturize again at night before bed, using a heavier product like petroleum jelly or natural oils, and covering with socks to let it soak in all night.

Need help with cracked heels? Come to the experts. At Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle Center, our podiatrists will help diagnose what may be causing them, and recommend treatment. If home-care remedies don’t do the trick, we can prescribe therapeutic creams and lotions that may work better. Just give us a call at (303) 423-2520 to schedule an appointment at one of our four offices.