14 Super-Simple Home Remedies For Cracked Heels
Cracked heels, or heel fissures, are a
common condition in which the skin begins to break along the outer edge
of the heel. The skin there becomes very dry, hard and flaky, which
causes the fissures to occur. Some of these fissures may even lead to
painful bleeding. But there's no need to lose hope, because there are
excellent home remedies to treat this condition. Let's review some of
them.
What Causes Cracked Heels?
Cracked heels can happen to anyone for a variety of reasons, but here
are some of the most commonly found responsible factors:
Walking barefoot for extended periods of time
Regular use of sandals
Living in dry climates
Wearing open-backed shoes
Thick, hard and inflexible skin around the heels
Walking or standing on your heels for a long time
Pregnancy
Lack of proper support from footwear around the heel
Prolonged standing on hard floors
Inactive sweat glands
Poor foot hygiene
Being obese or overweight
Athlete's Foot, eczema or other skin conditions
Deficiency in minerals, vitamins, or zinc
Thyroid problems or Diabetes
Flat feet or high arched heels
How Can You Treat Cracked Heels?
One of the most important habits to adopt if you have cracked heels, or
have had it in the past, is to keep your feet moisturized at all times.
Use a soft foot file on your cracked heels to reduce the development of
fissures and to remove dry and dead skin cells. Remember, getting rid of
cracked heels can be a bit of a process, and the condition will not
disappear overnight.
1. Use Oils
Hydrogenated vegetable oil is said to be
very good at treating cracked heels. Other oils that are good for
treating the condition are: sesame, coconut, olive and vegetable oils.
First, clean your feet with soap and water and pat them dry. If you
already have cracks in your heels, rub your feet down for a few minutes
with a pumice stone to get rid of the dry skin. Then, clean the area
with a tissue and apply the oils to any cracks or sores on your heels.
Rub the oils in liberally and leave on your feet overnight. For
effective results, apply oil each night for a week and you will
experience a dramatic improvement in your cracked heels.
2. Ripe Bananas
Bananas can be an excellent moisturizer if
they are used correctly. Mash up the banana and apply the mixture to
your dry and cracked heels. Leave it on your feet for 15 minutes, then
wash the mixture off with warm water. Later, use cold water to wash off
the remainder and to refresh your feet.
3. Paraffin Wax 
If you experience pain from cracked heels,
paraffin wax can give you almost instant relief. Mix the paraffin with
coconut or mustard oil and then heat it up until the wax melts. Use the
resulting liquid and apply it to your feet to be left overnight and wash
it off in the morning. You'll be amazed at the results!
4. Lemon Juice
Applying lemon juice to cracked heels will
soften the skin as lemon has acidic properties. Stick your feet in a
bucket of lukewarm water and lemon juice for 10 to 15 minutes to hydrate
your feet. Once you finish, clean your feet with a pumice stone and pat
your feet dry.
5. Rice Flour With Honey and Vinegar
This is a great natural scrub for removing
dead skin cells. To make the scrub, take 2 tablespoons of rice flour and
mix it with 2-3 tablespoons of honey and vinegar. This should make a
thick paste. Then, soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes, apply
the scrub on your heels and wash it off with warm water once it's dry.
6. Honey
Using just honey alone can also aid your
cracked heels because it has antibacterial and moisturizing properties.
When you soak your feet, mix 2-3 tablespoons of honey into the warm
water and soak for 15 minutes. This will leave your feet feeling moist
and supple.
7. Salt Water
Believe it or not, this is an excellent
remedy for dry and cracking heels, and it may be why most of the beach
bums you know have soft, baby-like feet. Place your feet into a bucket
of salty warm water and leave them there for 15 minutes. Now remove your
feet and place them in a bucket of cold water for 10 minutes. This will
improve the blood circulation to your feet.
8. Indian Lilac or Neem Leaves
If you are able to purchase this herb fresh
or have a paste available to you at your natural foods store, this
solution is most effective in the ridding of cracked heels for an
extended period of time. Apply a mixture of neem leaf powder and
turmeric powder to the cracked area of your heels. Leave the mixture
there for 30-45 minutes and wash away the paste when you are done. Pat
your feet dry. You should see results in only a few days
9. Petroleum Jelly
If you regularly scrub your cracked heels
with a pumice stone, and then apply petroleum jelly, this will help you
get rid of the dryness. After you have scrubbed your feet with a pumice
stone, apply petroleum jelly to them before you go to bed. You will wake
with softer and mostly crack-free heels.
10. Rosewater and Glycerin
Mix together equal amounts of rosewater and
glycerin and rub the mixture over your cracked heels. If any of the
fissures are open or bleeding, this could sting as a result of the
glycerin (it contains alcohol). This should keep your skin soft for
hours, and the mixture can be easily applied before you put on sandals
or walk around barefoot outside.
11. Drinking Water
It is important to keep your body hydrated, as this will prevent your
feet from going dry. You should drink 12-15 glasses of water a day to
give your heels the necessary elasticity so they won't crack in the
future.
12. Watch Your Calcium Intake
To improve the state of your cracked heels, you need to watch your
calcium intake. Add foods like yogurt, milk, and cheese, broccoli or
fish to your diet.
13. Vitamin E and Iron
By adding Vitamin E to your diet, you will significantly aid in the
healing of cracked heels. Foods like vegetable oils, green vegetables,
nuts and whole grains are great sources of vitamin E that you should try
to incorporate into your diet. Iron is also important for curing
cracked heels, so make sure that you are eating enough meat, chicken,
and fish.
14. Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Foods like flaxseeds, flaxseed oil, and cold water fish are known to be
rich sources of Omega 3, which helps reduce the effect of cracked heels.
If you suffer from cracked heels, try some of these natural and
home-made remedies, and you are sure to have soft, supple feet.