Simple home remedies for treating cracked heel
Your heel can turn from silky soft to rougher than an old cloth in just one day. This is how quickly your heels crack due to dryness. Apart from being hideous and a source of physical embarrassment, cracked heels can also cause pain, bleeding and discomfort while walking. Considered to be one of the most common foot problems, this is a sign that you are not paying attention to your body. There are no oil glands present in the heels, which makes both children and adults suspectable to dryness. This dryness causes cracks in the skin. Medical conditions such as eczema, athlete’s foot, diabetes, thyroid, and psoriasis have been linked with increasing the dryness in heels. Lack of care (moisturisation) and pollution can also lead to dry cracked feet. But the good news is that there are wonderful home remedies available that can treat and prevent cracked heels.
Honey: According to a study in the National Institute of Health (NIH), USA, honey has anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties, which can help in healing and cleaning of cracks. It can also moisturise your skin, thus preventing cracked heels. It can be applied as a foot mask overnight or can be used as a foot scrub.
Coconut oil: Cracked heels caused by dry skin, eczema, and psoriasis can be treated by applying coconut oil after a foot soak as it helps your skin in retaining moisture. Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, which help prevent bleeding and infections caused by cracked heels.
Liquid bandage: Instead of worrying all day that your bandage will come off, use liquid bandage, to cover up your cracks. This comes as a spray and can be a good option for treating cracked heels and preventing infections and further cracking, especially if you are prone to bleeding.
Epsom salt bath: Soaking your feet in Epsom salt water for only 20 minutes for 3 weeks can make your feet silky smooth. Epsom salt, also known as magnesium sulfate, is a chemical compound, which can easily get into your skin, and moisturise and exfoliate your feet. Aside, from preventing cracked heel, adding just half a cup of Epson salt in warm bath water, can also put an end to foot odour.
Mouthwash and vinegar: Yes, you read it right. Your mouthwash can help treat cracked heels. Most of the mouthwash contains thymol and alcohol, which can cure cracked feet and soothe skin. It can also fight off toenail fungus and plantar warts on the feet. Vinegar on the other hand, has mild acids, which help throw out dead skin cells.
Honey: According to a study in the National Institute of Health (NIH), USA, honey has anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties, which can help in healing and cleaning of cracks. It can also moisturise your skin, thus preventing cracked heels. It can be applied as a foot mask overnight or can be used as a foot scrub.
Coconut oil: Cracked heels caused by dry skin, eczema, and psoriasis can be treated by applying coconut oil after a foot soak as it helps your skin in retaining moisture. Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, which help prevent bleeding and infections caused by cracked heels.
Liquid bandage: Instead of worrying all day that your bandage will come off, use liquid bandage, to cover up your cracks. This comes as a spray and can be a good option for treating cracked heels and preventing infections and further cracking, especially if you are prone to bleeding.
Epsom salt bath: Soaking your feet in Epsom salt water for only 20 minutes for 3 weeks can make your feet silky smooth. Epsom salt, also known as magnesium sulfate, is a chemical compound, which can easily get into your skin, and moisturise and exfoliate your feet. Aside, from preventing cracked heel, adding just half a cup of Epson salt in warm bath water, can also put an end to foot odour.
Mouthwash and vinegar: Yes, you read it right. Your mouthwash can help treat cracked heels. Most of the mouthwash contains thymol and alcohol, which can cure cracked feet and soothe skin. It can also fight off toenail fungus and plantar warts on the feet. Vinegar on the other hand, has mild acids, which help throw out dead skin cells.