10 Home Remedies for Cracked Heels
Heel fissures or cracked heels are a common foot condition that can cause discomfort and pain. Often, there is nothing serious about cracked heels as they’re usually just a result of thickened and calloused skin. Although it’s possible the cracks may grow deep, cause pain, discomfort, bleeding or even infection. Our feet withstand more pressure than any other part of our bodies and it’s only natural that they’ll see some serious wear and tear, that’s why it’s a good idea to take good care of them. Although taking care of your feet will prevent cracked heels in most cases, there are some common causes which are known to cause this:
* Obesity
* Diabetes
* Eczema
* Hypothyroidism
* Athlete’s food and other foot infections
* Flat feet
* Heel spurs
* Standing in one place for longer periods of time
* Poor fitting shoes
* Dry and cold weather
* Zinc and iron deficiency
It’s quite easy to check if you’re developing cracked heels, and it’s a good idea to catch it early as it’ll be easier to prevent and take care of. The most common cracked heel symptoms are:
* Dryness
* Itchiness
* Areas of the heel turning yellow or brown * Areas of the heel so dry they turn white
* Pain and difficulty walking (in severe cases)
* Hardened calloused skin
* Bleeding
It’s important to note that if cracked heels are left untreated, the cracks may get so deep that the heels start to bleed. This can lead to bacterial infections and if you’ve experienced any of these symptoms it’s a good idea to see a doctor immediately. If your symptoms aren’t that severe, here are 10 home remedies for cracked feet:
10 Home Remedies for Cracked Heels
#1 – Soak and Exfoliate Soaking your feet can help get rid of some hard and flaky skin. Here is a good way to give your feet a proper soak:
* Keep your feet in warm soapy water for around 20 minutes
* Using a loofah, pumice stone or foot scrub, remove any thick or hard skin
* Gently pat your feet dry
* Apply a heel or foot balm
* Apply petroleum jelly to lock in the moisture
It’s a good idea to avoid scrubbing your feet when they’re dry because this increases the risk of damaging skin.
#2 – Liquid Bandage If your cracks go deep enough to cause you pain, it’s a good idea to apply some liquid bandage to help protect your heels from infections and further cracking. It’s important to note that this is only a stop-gap measure and will not actually help eliminate cracked heels, it only helps protect your already vulnerable feet.
#3 – Bananas Bananas are a great moisturizer, they contain vitamin A, B6 and C which promote skin elasticity and hydration. Here’s what you want to do to make a banana mask to help with your cracked heels:
* Mash two bananas until you’ve made a paste
* Apply that paste on the affected areas of your feet
* Leave it on for 15 minutes
* Repeat this every evening until you see an improvement
* Make sure to only use ripe bananas. Unripe bananas contain a chemical that may be harsh on your skin
#4 – Baking Soda Soaks Baking soda is commonly used for skin treatments, and it’s also great for cracked heels and works as a natural exfoliator. Baking soda is also anti-inflammatory and helps eliminate odors coming from your feet. Here’s what you need to do:
* Mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda in a large bowl of warm water
* Soak your feet in the mixture for 15 minutes
* Rinse and dry
* Moisturize your feet
Baking soda may be a little harsh for some people, so you should only do this 2-3 times per week at most. Before doing this soak, make sure that you’re not allergic to baking soda. You can do a skin patch test on your arm or leg to check.
#5 – Coconut Oil Coconut oil contains anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant and wound healing properties. These qualities can be great for helping with your cracked heels. Here is what you need to do:
* 2 tablespoons of cold pressed coconut oil
* Apply a layer of coconut oil to the affected area. Make sure to only apply to clean feet
* Put on a pair of thick socks and leave overnight
* Wash your feet after you get up
* You can do this every evening
It’s a good idea to only use cold-pressed oils because the alternative, refined oils, have a different and potentially toxic chemical structure.
10 Home Remedies for Cracked Heels
#6 – Paraffin Wax Paraffin wax is a natural emollient. This means that it helps keep the moisture in your skin, and it’s an effective remedy for cracked heels7. You’ll need:
* 1 tablespoon of paraffin wax
* 2-3 drops of mustard oil
* Mix the mustard oil and paraffin wax together
* Heat the mixture in a pan until the wax melts
* Let the mixture cool down to a temperature you feel comfortable applying to your feet
* Apply to your feet and put a pair of socks on for the night
* Wash off in the morning
This should be done once or twice per week before bed. It’s important to caution against dipping your feet in wax when it’s hot, it’s also not a good idea to do this treatment if you’re suffering from diabetes.
#7 – Oatmeal Oatmeal is a good remedy because it has anti-inflammatory properties, is a great moisturizer and helps get rid of dead skin. Here’s what you need to do:
* You’ll need 1 tablespoon of powdered oatmeal
* 5 drops of cold-pressed olive oil
* Mix the oatmeal and olive oil to make a thick paste
* Apply this paste to the affected areas of your feet and leave it on for about 30 minutes
* Rinse off and pat your feet dry
* Repeat this every other day
#8 – Apple Cider Vinegar Apple cider vinegar contains mild acids which are very effective natural exfoliators. Using apple cider vinegar will help soften dead and hard skin, helping reveal the healthy skin below. Here’s what you need to do:
* You’ll need a foot basin, 1 cup of apple cider vinegar and some warm water
* Soak your feet in the mixture for 15-20 minutes and use a loofah or a foot scrubber to remove the dead skin
You can do this every day until you get the desired results.
#9 – Epsom Salt Epsom salt is great for softening hardened skin and soothing as well. It also works great at strengthening your skin barrier, reducing inflammation and keeping your skin hydrated. Here’s what you need to do:
* Mix half a cup of epsom salt with a foot basin full of warm water
* Soak your feet in the epsom salt bath for 20 minutes. Using a loofah or a foot scrubber remove the dead skin on your heels Repeat this 2-3 times per week.
#10 – Aloe Vera Aloe vera has been used as a remedy for all kinds of skin ailments for centuries, and it also works great for cracked heels. The amino acids in aloe vera help soften skin which is great for helping remove old, hard and dead skin. Here’s what you’ll need:
* Soak your feet in warm water for 5-10 minutes
* Remove and pat dry * Apply a generous amount of aloe vera to your feet
* Put on socks and leave on overnight
* Wash your feet in the morning
You can repeat this 4-5 nights in a row. There are plenty of prescription and over the counter medication for cracked heels, but it’s a good idea to give the natural home remedies a try first. They really work and it avoids you having to use potentially harsh chemicals on your body.
Related Home Remedy Searches:
healing severely cracked heels, how to remove cracked heels, how to get rid of cracked heels, best way to heal cracked heels, why do heels crack, cracked heels home remedy, severely cracked heels, soak for dry cracked feet, peroxide for cracked heels, severely cracked heels treatment, best foot soak for dry feet, home remedy for dry feet, how to fix dry cracked heels, dry feet remedies listerine and vinegar, foot soak for dry cracked feet,
home remedy for calloused feet, home remedies for aching feet, how to get rid of cracked feet, heel cream for severe cracks, dry feet treatment, severe cracked heels remedy, how to get rid of rough heels, how to soften dry cracked feet, how to heal cracked feet, home remedies for cracked heels, cracked heels remedies, natural remedies for cracked heels, homeopathic medicine for cracked heels, herbal treatment for cracked heels, herbal remedy for cracked heels, cracked heels remedy,
Cracked Heels References and Cracked Heel Information
* Gotham Footcare: https://www.gothamfootcare.com/blog/what-really-causes-cracked-heels-and-how-to-heal-them-part-i
* DermNet NZ: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/cracked-heel/#:~:text=What%20are%20the%20signs%20of,over%20the%20callus%20are%20visible.
* Healthline Magazine: https://www.healthline.com/health/cracked-heel-heal#remedies
* Parenting First Cry: https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/20-simple-and-effective-home-remedies-for-cracked-heels/
* Happily Unprocessed: https://happilyunprocessed.com/the-basics/refined-oils-and-why-you-should-never-eat-them/
* Style Craze: https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/simple-home-remedies-for-cracked-heels/
* Pub Med (Scientific Study): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22421643/
* Pub Med (Scientific Study): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25811473/
* National Library of Medicine (Scientific Study): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579607/
* National Library of Medicine (Scientific Study): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
Read Also: https://homeremediesapp.com/10-home-remedies-for-athlete-foot/
