While switching from closed shoes to slippers and sandals in the summer months seems like a relief, wrong choices can lay the groundwork for serious foot health problems beyond aesthetic issues. Especially heel cracks are not just a visual problem but a medical condition that invites infections.
How Does the Choice of Slippers Trigger Heel Cracks?
Yes, the choice of slippers is one of the most fundamental causes of heel cracks. There are several mechanical and biological reasons for this:
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Unsupported Heels (Expansion Effect): In open-back slippers, the fat tissue in your heel spreads sideways when you step on it. If the heel of the slipper does not have a "cup" (heel cushion) structure that surrounds this tissue, the skin stretches excessively outward. This constant stretching causes the skin to tear over time and deep cracks to form.
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Mechanical Trauma and Friction: The fact that the sole of the slipper hits your heel with every step while walking (hitting effect) pushes the skin cells in 그 area to protect themselves. The skin thickens (hyperkeratosis) and cracks by losing its elasticity.
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Direct Air Contact and Drying: Open shoes cause the foot skin to be in constant contact with the air. This situation causes the moisture in the skin to evaporate quickly and the skin to dry and harden.
5 Golden Rules to Protect Foot Health in Summer
You can follow these steps to prevent heel cracks and have healthy feet:
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Slipper Selection: Avoid zero flat-soled (ballet flat type) slippers. Prefer orthopedic slippers that slightly grasp the heel and have a soft cushioning system in the heel area. This ensures a balanced distribution of pressure on the heel.
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Use "Urea" Containing Moisturizers: In summer, feet need more moisture than hands. After washing your feet in the evenings, apply intense moisturizers containing urea, lactic acid, or petroleum jelly, especially to the heel area. Sleeping by wearing thin cotton socks will increase the absorption of moisture.
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Do Not Overdo the Heel Filing Process: Scraping the hardened skin excessively with pumice stones or metal files causes the body to perceive that area as a "threat" and produce even harder skin for protection purposes. Perform the filing process at most once a week, gently while your skin is moist.
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Foot Hygiene and Fungal Risk: Summer heat prepares the ideal environment for foot fungus. Never step on the ground with bare feet in common areas (poolside, beach, showers). Be sure to dry between the toes after washing your feet; because moist toe gaps are the favorite areas of fungal infection.
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Extra Warning for Diabetic Patients: If you have diabetes, heel cracks are not a simple skin problem. Germs leaking from cracks can lead to serious undetected infections (diabetic foot ulcers). Diabetic patients should prefer closed-back, protective, and soft leather shoes even in summer and check their feet every day with the help of a mirror.
When to Consult a Doctor?
• If your heel cracks have started to bleed,
• If it causes severe pain while walking,
• If there is redness, swelling, and increased heat in the area,
• If no improvement is seen despite home care,
You should consult a dermatology or orthopedics specialist. Remember, healthy steps are the foundation of a healthy body.
Medical Review and Approval:
Podologist Zeynep TATLI
We wish you healthy days.
