10 Home Remedies for Cracked Heels 

wet feet

How Can I Treat Cracked Heels?

Cracked heels, also known as heel fissures, is a common foot condition that can be quite painful if severe. It could also cause bleeding. Whether severe or not; bleeding or otherwise, cracked heels don`t give feet a great look, and no one would like to have them. Well not I, or any other beauty-conscious individual. We`ve compiled some home remedies to help you get rid of cracked heels. Just before we explore them, you may be wondering why people ever have cracked feet.  It`s because the skin on the feet gets dry for lack of oil glands. This dryness then causes the skin to crack. Other causes are exposure to pollution, low moisturization, and medical conditions such as diabetes, thyroid, psoriasis, and eczema.

10 Home Remedies to Get Rid of Cracked Heels

Banana and Avocado Foot Mask

Avocados are packed with vitamins A, E, and omega fatty acids that are all essential for wound healing, while bananas are a great moisturizer.

You Will Need
  • 1 ripe banana
  • 1/2 avocado
What to Do
  • Blend the banana and avocado.
  • Apply it over your heels and feet.
  • Let it stay for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Wash your feet with lukewarm water
  • You may do this daily.

Salt, Glycerine, and Rose Water Foot Mask

The antioxidants in rose water prevent cell damage, while its anti-inflammatory properties relieve dry and irritated skin. Glycerine is quite an effective humectant that helps the skin retain its natural moisture levels. This combination is great for moisturizing cracked heels.

You Will Need
  • 2 tablespoons of glycerine
  • 2 teaspoons of rosewater
  • 1 tablespoon of salt
  • Warm water
  • Pumice stone/foot scrubber
What to Do
  • Add the salt, a tablespoon of rose water, and a tablespoon of glycerine to a basin filled with warm water. Soak your feet in this mixture for about 15-20 minutes.
  • Scrub your heels and the sides of the feet with a foot scrubber or a pumice stone.

Here`s an alternative:

  • Mix a teaspoon of glycerine, and a teaspoon of rosewater and apply it to your cracked heels.
  • Because it`s a sticky mixture, you could wear a pair of socks and let it stay all night.
  • Wash off with lukewarm water at dawn.
  • You may do this for a few days.

Honey

This natural antiseptic heals cracked feet and revitalizes the skin, as it contains soothing properties.

You Will Need
  • 1 cup honey
  • Warm water
What to Do
  • Mix the honey in half a bucket of warm water.
  • Soak your feet in it for 20 minutes.
  • Scrub off gently.
  • Do this as often as you can.

Paraffin Wax

Paraffin wax is a natural emollient that makes the skin soft. This makes it an effective treatment for cracked and sore heels.

You Will Need
  • 1 tablespoon of paraffin wax
  • 2-3 drops of mustard/coconut oil
What to Do
  • Mix paraffin wax with mustard oil or coconut oil.
  • Heat the mixture in a pan until the wax melts properly.
  • Let it cool to room temperature.
  • Apply it to your feet before going to bed and wear a pair of socks to lock the mixture in.
  • Wash off at dawn.
  • You may do this treatment twice weekly.

This remedy is not safe for diabetics.

Vegetable Oil

You probably didn`t know that vegetable oils contain emollient properties, together with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties. They`re your go-to oils for healthy skin. They also serve as a great home remedy for cracked heels. You will need two teaspoons of vegetable oil for this treatment.

What to Do
  • Wash your feet and dry them with a clean towel.
  • Apply a layer of vegetable oil on the affected area.
  • Wear a pair of thick socks overnight.
  • Wash your feet in the morning.
  • Always do this before going to bed.

Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly restores moisture to dry and cracked heels. It also reduces the loss of water from the outer skin and keeps it soft. Woolen socks will increase the effectiveness of the mixture by trapping the body’s heat.

You Will Need
  • A teaspoon of petroleum jelly
  • A pumice stone
  • Moisturizer
  • Lukewarm water
What to Do
  • Soak your feet in warm water for about 15-20 minutes.
  • Use the pumice stone to scrub the hard or dry skin.
  • Dry your feet.
  • Moisturize the affected area.
  • Apply the petroleum jelly to lock in moisture.
  • Wear a pair of woolen socks overnight.
  • Wash your feet in the morning.
  • Do this daily before going to bed.

Rice Flour

Rice flour is excellent for exfoliating, purifying, and remineralizing the skin. It`ll help you have smooth and soft skin.

You Will Need
  • 2-3 tablespoons of ground rice
  • 1 teaspoon of honey
  • 3-4 drops of apple cider vinegar
What to Do
  • Mix the tablespoons of ground rice with apple cider vinegar and a few drops of honey till you have a thick paste.
  • You may add a teaspoon of sweet almond oil or olive oil to the mixture if your heels are extremely cracked.
  • Soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes and scrub them gently to remove dead skin cells.
  • You may do this biweekly.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal has moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties that eliminate dead skin cells and soften the skin.

You Will Need
  • 1 tablespoon of powdered oatmeal
  • 4-5 drops of olive oil
What to Do
  • Mix the oatmeal with the olive oil to make a thick paste.
  • Apply the mixture to your heels and feet.
  • Let it stay for 30 minutes.
  • Rinse with cold water and pat dry.
  • Do this treatment every other day.

Sesame Oil

Sesame oil`s moisturizing, nourishing, and skin-repairing properties will soften your feet and treat your cracked feet. You only need 4-5 drops of sesame oil for this treatment.

What to Do
  • Apply sesame oil to your heels and feet.
  • Massage thoroughly until it gets absorbed into your skin.
  • Do this daily before going to bed.

Olive Oil

a cup of olive oilDid you know that the nourishing properties of olive oil make the skin soft and supple? As great as this oil is, it is not suitable for all skin types; so you might need to do a patch test before carrying out this treatment. If the oil is fine for your skin, congratulations! You only need a tablespoon of olive oil for this treatment.

What to Do
  • Use a cotton ball to apply some olive oil to your heels.
  • Massage your feet gently in a circular motion for 10-15 minutes.
  • Wear a pair of thick cotton socks and wash off after an hour.
  • You may do this daily.

Symptoms of Cracked Heels

  • Skin peeling in thin strands
  • Cracks and ridges in the skin
  • Dryness around the heel and on the side of the feet
  • Red and flaky patches of skin
  • Discharge from the cracks as a result of an infection
  • Itchy heels and feet

Tips to Prevent Cracked Heels

  • Moisturize your skin properly and regularly.
  • Wear comfortable shoes.
  • Avoid excessive walking.
  • Avoiding constant exposure to pollution.
  • Scrub your heels regularly with pumice stone and dip them in water with lemon juice or warm saltwater.
  • Massage your feet regularly.
  • Drink a lot of water to keep your skin hydrated and supple.

Now that you Know…

Nothing stops you from having the beautiful feet you see on TV. Try any of the home remedies, and follow the preventive measures. Be sure to discontinue any treatment that your skin is allergic to.