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As the weather heats up, the sandals and flip flops will be coming out of winter storage. While these shoe types allow you to feel the summer sun on your tootsies, they can also result in cracked heels.

Cracked heels, or heel fissures, are splits in dry skin around the heel. These cracks can be extremely painful to stand on and may even bleed. In some cases, cracked heels may also become infected and require prescription medications to be treated.

Cracked heels are caused by pressure from walking or standing when the skin on the heel is not flexible enough to withstand your bodyweight. Other factors that can cause this condition are: prolonged standing, open back shoes, medical problems that cause dry skin (diabetes, psoriasis etc.) and obesity.

To prevent cracked heels during the summer months, it is important to keep your skin moisturized and follow a regular foot care regimen. This “spa-at-home” routine can help you prevent cracked heels:

1)      Soak your feet for 10-15 minutes in Gehwol Herbal Foot Bath

2)      File the rough skin off of your heels

3)      Finally, moisturize with a cream such as Attractian Cream or Gehwol Med Salve

Following this simple regimen will keep your heels soft and supple this summer.

If you are prone to cracked heels, preventing this problem before it begins can be as simple as 3 easy steps.  Speak with a member of our Home Healthcare team today to help you locate and choose the right products to keep your feet happy and healthy this summer.