How to Get Rid of Cracked Heels

Cracked heels, also referred to as heel fissures are generally caused by excessively dry skin. This common foot problem, thus, tends to worsen during the dry, winter months.

Besides, factors like nutritional deficiencies, standing or walking for long periods of time, wearing open-backed or thin-soled shoes that do not support your feet, etc. may lead to this problem.

As expected, cracked heels are embarrassing as they are quite ugly to look at. Plus, cracked heels may be accompanied by itching and burning.

Moreover, when neglected for a long time, they become painful and may begin to bleed. In addition, most moisturizing treatments fail to penetrate the accumulated thick, dead skin on the heels.

So, it is best to pay attention to your cracked heels and heal them as soon as possible. Furthermore, individuals suffering from conditions like eczema, psoriasis, diabetes and circulatory problems should take good care of their feet.

How to Get Rid of Cracked Feet

Given below are 7 ways to eliminate cracked heels.

Lather your feet in warm soapy water to soften the skin and rub a pumice stone around your heels to get rid of the rough, hard, flaky skin. Finally, wash your feet, pat them dry, and follow up with a moisturizer cream, lotion, or even baby oil. Follow this remedy two times in a day for at least one week. To create a soapy solution for your foot bath, you may mix lemon juice, petroleum jelly and a little shampoo in warm water. Alternatively, you can scrub your feet with pumice stone while taking a shower.

Epsom salt foot baths soothes tired feet, soften the skin, promote circulation, and eliminate foot odor. In addition, Epsom salt has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that fight infections. To prepare this foot bath, fill a foot basin or tub with warm water and add half a cup of Epsom salt in it. Soak your feet in this solution for about 10 minutes. Then, use a pumice stone or a nail filer to file the flaky skin on your heels. Finally, wash your feet and dry them thoroughly before massaging a moisturizing lotion or oil on the skin. Do not take these footbaths more than two to three times in a week because excessive use of Epsom salt can dry out your feet. Moreover, do not use soap immediately after the Epsom salt soak as it can interfere with the effects of the salt.

Soak your feet in a tub filled with five cups of warm water and one cup of milk for about 10 minutes. Next, prepare a homemade foot scrub by mixing four tablespoons of sugar or dead sea salt in half a cup of coconut oil, olive oil, or any other carrier oil. Massage and scrub this mixture on your feet. Finally, wash it off and moisturize your feet to make your dry, cracked feet soft.

Create a soothing oatmeal foot mask at home by mixing a cup of oatmeal in your foot basin containing warm water. You can also add a quarter cup of honey and olive oil, too. Soak your feet in this mixture for about half an hour to help heal cracked heels naturally. You can also create a foot bath by adding half a cup of oatmeal, a quarter cup each of baking soda, honey, aloe vera gel, and one-third cup of Epsom salt, and about 20 drops of an essential oil of your choice in warm bath water.

Combine three tablespoons of glycerin and a tablespoon of rosewater. Spread this mixture on your dry feet at night and put on a pair of socks. Remove the sticky recipe from your feet in the morning.

Smear banana pulp on your cracked heels, leave it for about 15 minutes, and then, rinse it off with warm water. Follow this treatment at least once in a week to cure dry, cracked feet.

Melt some paraffin wax in a double boiler or microwave. Add an equal amount of mustard oil in it. Dip your feet in this molten wax and oil paste and remove. When the wax hardens, dip your feet again the mixture to create another layer. Then, wrap a plastic around your feet. After 10-15 minutes, remove the plastic wrap and wax to get soft and smooth feet. In case you do not want to use paraffin wax, you can use organic beeswax.

Tips to Prevent Cracked Heels

• Identify early signs of cracked heels like dryness, hardening of skin, tenderness, and appearance of small cracks near the edge of your heels. Do not ignore these symptoms otherwise they shall go on to become painful cracked feet. Cracked feet are also prone to infection due to the open spaces.
• If you are prone to cracked heels, you may consider applying a petroleum jelly on your feet and wearing socks before going to sleep. Instead of petroleum jelly, you may use organic coconut oil or unrefined shea butter, or cocoa butter, vitamin E oil, hemp seed oil as well.
• Exfoliate your feet regularly. You may use a combination of rice flour, honey, and apple cider vinegar for this purpose.
• Choose comfortable footwear that is neither too tight nor loose.
• As cracked heels can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, too, make sure you take a healthy diet including vital vitamins and minerals like vitamin E, calcium, zinc, and so on. Plus, drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body and skin hydrated.
• Needless to say, keep your feet clean and avoid excessive sweating.