Why does a thick layer of skin grow on the heels?

Causes of peeling heels

Why does the skin on the heels of my feet peel? Is this problem cosmetic or due to physiological factors?

The causes and method of treating peeling of the skin on the heels are closely interrelated. That is why it is necessary to identify the sources of the unpleasant dermatological phenomenon.

So, peeling of the skin of the heels can be caused by the following factors:

Drying of the dermis. This process occurs not only in the summer, although in the warm season the feet are more exposed to sunlight and wind. Winter indoor air also has a negative effect on the skin, not helping to moisturize and soften the skin.
Uncomfortable shoes. May provoke a violation of the water-fat balance of the dermis. As a result, the latter is injured and loses its elasticity. In addition, low-quality materials from which shoes are made can cause allergies and itching.
Poor nutrition. Neglecting the principles of proper nutrition can lead to a deficiency of vitamins A, E and F. They are responsible for the condition of the skin. The lack of these substances leads to drying of the epidermis and the appearance of cracks on it.
Fungus or mycosis. It is considered the most common cause of dry and cracked heels. At the same time, the latter acquire an extremely unsightly appearance.
Various diseases (diabetes, gastritis, ulcers, etc.). Cracks and peeling on the heels caused by human diseases are quite difficult to eliminate. At the same time, all efforts should be aimed at combating diseases. This requires the help of a qualified doctor.
Excessive care. It’s a paradox, but in some cases the skin on the heels peels precisely because of excessive care for them. In particular, excessively frequent peeling contributes to changes in the condition of the skin, which does not allow the epidermis to recover.
Pregnancy. A special condition of a woman’s body. It is during this period that hormonal surges, deficiency of iron and other substances, stress, anxiety, etc. are observed. All this is not reflected in the best way not only on the nervous system of expectant mothers, but also on the condition of their skin, resulting in peeling of the heels.

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How to get rid of the problem

Eliminating flaky skin on your heels is quite possible. To do this, it is enough to find out the reason why the unpleasant phenomenon occurs and begin to eliminate the alarming symptoms. If peeling heels is not the result of any pathologies of the skin or body, eliminating the problem can be solved using home and salon methods (and sometimes a combination of both).

At home

What should people who have peeling heels do at home and are unable to visit salons? Of course, resort to the use of popular folk recipes:

bath with salt and lemon. Add 1 tbsp to 3 liters of boiling water. l sea salt and lemon juice. Keep your feet in this bath for 20 minutes, treat with a softening cream;
herbal decoction Pour 3 tbsp into a suitable container. l. nettle leaves and calendula flowers. Pour 3 liters of boiling water over the herbs and let the mixture boil. Immerse your feet in the slightly cooled liquid for 20 minutes. Apply nourishing cream to dry heels. Onion compress. Grind 2 small onions in a blender, add honey and vegetable oil (1 tbsp each). The mixture is brought to a homogeneous consistency, then a cotton-gauze swab is moistened with it. The latter is placed on the heels, wrapped with cling film on top and the structure is strengthened with a toe. The lotion is kept on the feet for 40-60 minutes and removed with warm water;
use of oils. Helps heels become less dry. It is most effective to use sesame or coconut oil.

Salon treatments

When it has been found out why the heels on the feet are peeling, and if this process is not associated with any disease, the client can address this problem to a beauty salon. Specialists will offer a number of procedures to eliminate peeling:

Trim pedicure. It consists of preliminary steaming the feet in a bath and then treating them with pumice, a file or special cutters. With their help, rough skin on the heels is eliminated. After softening the surface of the skin, the specialist removes excess epidermis, moisturizes and nourishes the feet with special ointments and creams. The result of this pedicure is instantly smooth and soft skin on the heels. The downside of this procedure is the fact that after it, the rough skin grows back much faster. In addition, a classic pedicure can cause skin (and other) diseases. Water and steamed dermis are an excellent tandem for the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.
European pedicure. Its peculiarity is the absence of mechanical removal of the cuticle on the toes and hands. Instead of nippers, in this case a special softening liquid is used. As for foot treatment, it is not much different from a standard pedicure, except that less abrasive files and pumice are used.
Hardware pedicure. It is the removal of rough skin using a cosmetic device. A softening substance is applied to the skin of the feet; after some time, its remnants, along with the problem skin, are removed with a device with a special attachment. The bonus of this procedure is that it is performed exclusively on dry skin, which minimizes the risk of various infections.

In order not to be afraid of an unknown procedure, you can familiarize yourself with the foot treatment technology:

Attention! Various spa treatments or paraffin therapy can be an effective additional means of combating flaky heels. These methods help strengthen the elasticity of the skin and prevent dehydration.

Preventive measures

It is important to understand that in order for your heels to always have a well-groomed appearance, you need to regularly carry out procedures.

Exfoliating socks for heels are used as peeling. To carry out the procedure, you need to cut off the top edge of the sock, put it on and secure it with stickers included in the package. This includes Japanese socks for exfoliation. As pedicure socks are gaining more and more popularity, many analogues of the product have appeared. They also use socks from China and Korea.

In addition, it is recommended to use mild cleansers for the skin of the heels. You should avoid soaps with antibacterial properties and bubble baths, which dry out the skin. Wear high-quality, comfortable shoes in the summer, excluding high heels.

It is important to lead a healthy lifestyle, exercise, and eat right.

Don’t rush to give up sandals: rough skin on your heels is a solvable problem. You will learn everything you need to do to put it in order from this article.

Why does the skin on the heels become rough?
How to get rid of rough skin on your heels
How to remove rough skin at home
Daily care rules
Useful tips and tricks

Prevention of peeling heels

Peeling skin on the heels is not the most aesthetically pleasing phenomenon and can cause many unpleasant moments. To avoid such troubles, you should consider recommendations for the prevention of peeling:

the skin on rough heels should be removed twice a week;
before going to bed, apply moisturizer to the skin of your feet;
consume as many foods fortified with vitamin A as possible;
in case of visiting public places (baths, swimming pools, saunas), antifungal agents should be used over the next 2-5 days.

In the absence of concomitant diseases and careful care of the skin of the heels, the heels will continuously delight you with their softness and smoothness.

Why does the skin on my heels get rough?

So, where does rough skin come from on your heels?

There is nothing particularly surprising here, because we take care of our heels very rarely, and this care is usually expressed in the fact that we rub them with a pumice stone and apply some kind of nourishing cream. And there are also those “thrill-seekers” who use metal graters and even a razor: cutting off the thickened, rough skin, they think that they have gotten rid of it, but that’s not the case - everything turns out the other way around. Not only can you get injured, but also the skin on the “cut” areas begins to grow with a vengeance, and becomes thicker and thicker - this can be done for years.

The cause of rough skin on the heels may be a “standing” lifestyle - for example, for those who work as a salesperson in a store, or as a hairdresser in a salon; uncomfortable shoes - this especially applies to shoes with heels, when body weight is distributed unevenly; in the summer we walk barefoot at the dacha, in the warm dust, believing that walking barefoot is useful - this is true, but after that our feet need special care. Even at home, contact with hard ceramic tiles often causes rough skin on the heels.

The stratum corneum on the heels is intensely formed both in those who love slippers and mules, which are fashionable nowadays - the latter are worn by many women in the summer, considering them comfortable and versatile. However, such shoes constantly “slam” the heels, and the skin on them gradually becomes rougher, and if there is a lack of care, this happens very quickly.

Recommendations from experts

To avoid unpleasant peeling and painful cracks, it is recommended to take into account several useful tips from dermatological specialists:

Wearing the right shoes. Often, women's heels peel due to continuous wearing of narrow pumps or other high-heeled shoes. In addition, open shoes (sandals, flip-flops, etc.) leave your feet exposed to dust and dirt. Flying particles clog the epidermis, drying it out and making it rougher. Shoes should not rub your feet and cause calluses.
Using softening foot baths. They make subsequent peeling more convenient and simpler.
Drying feet after water treatments. Also, if your feet sweat during the day, you should immediately use fresh socks.
Compliance with the principles of proper nutrition. Why do women's heels peel? Very often due to the lack of a balanced diet. It will benefit the entire body and skin. It is best to avoid excessive consumption of sweets and eat more vegetables, fruits and foods containing vitamins and proteins. Also, do not forget about the drinking regime and consume the right amount of water per day.
Systematic pedicure. It is best to do it once every 10-14 days. To do this, it is recommended to have an abrasive file, pumice stone and a sponge on hand. The procedure can be performed on dry or moistened skin. After finishing the pedicure, the surface of the skin is treated with moisturizing cream or oil.