Cracked heels, also called heel fissures, are a common foot condition. Although it occurs in both adults and children, it appears to be serious in women. Sometimes these cracks can cause bleeding. If you are suffering from cracked heels and want to get rid of them, take a look! Here we will tell you what their causes are and the best home remedies to eliminate them, as well as some tips to prevent them.
What Causes Cracked Heels?
The skin on the feet tends to dry out as there are no sebaceous glands present there. This dryness causes the skin to crack. Lack of hydration, overexposure to pollution, and medical conditions such as eczema, diabetes, thyroid, and psoriasis lead to dry, cracked feet. Read on to learn more about home remedies to treat cracked heels.
Remedies to get rid of cracked heels
Foot mask with salt, glycerine and rose water
Rose water contains antioxidants that prevent cell damage, and it also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe dry and irritated skin. Glycerine is an effective moisturizer that helps the skin retain its natural moisture levels. These properties can help hydrate cracked heels.
You will need 1 tablespoon of salt, 2 tablespoons of glycerine, 2 teaspoons of rose water, warm water, and a pumice stone. Add raw salt, a tablespoon of glycerine, and a teaspoon of rose water to a bowl filled with warm water. Soak your feet in this mixture for about 15 to 20 minutes. Rub the heels and sides of the feet with a pumice stone or foot cleaner.
Mix a teaspoon of glycerine and a teaspoon of rose water and apply it on your cracked heels. Since it will be a sticky mixture, you can wear a pair of socks and leave them on overnight.
Wash off with lukewarm water in the morning. Repeat this for a few days.
Vegetable oil
Studies show that vegetable oils contain emollient properties, along with antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and healing properties. They act as nutritional pillars for healthy skin. These powerful qualities of vegetable oils can help treat cracked heels.
You will need 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil. Wash your feet and dry them with a clean towel. Apply a layer of vegetable oil to the affected area. Wear a thick pair of socks and leave them on overnight. Wash your feet in the morning. Do this, every day before bed.
Vaseline
Vaseline helps restore moisture to dry, cracked heels, and reduces water loss from the outer skin. This keeps your skin soft and hydrated. Wool socks help trap body heat and increase the effectiveness of the mix.
You will need 1 teaspoon of Vaseline, moisturizer, pumice stone, and warm water. Soak your feet in warm water for about 15 to 20 minutes. Use the pumice stone to rub hard or dry skin. Pat your feet dry. Apply moisturizer to the affected area. Apply Vaseline on it to retain moisture. Put on a pair of wool socks. Leave them on overnight and wash your feet in the morning. Do this regularly before bed.
See also EYEBROW VASELINE, DOES IT REALLY WORK?
Olive oil
Olive oil has nourishing properties that make your skin soft and supple. However, it is not suitable for all skin types. So, do a patch test before using it on the affected area.
Apply a little olive oil with the help of a cotton ball and gently massage your feet in circular movements for 10 to 15 minutes. Wear a pair of thick cotton socks and wash them after an hour. Do this daily.
Sesame oil
Sesame oil has nourishing, moisturizing and repairing properties for the skin barrier, and this helps soften and soothe dry, cracked feet.
Apply sesame oil on the heels and any other cracked parts. Massage well until absorbed into the skin. Do this, every day before bed.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil hydrates dry skin and also helps remove dead skin cells. It can penetrate the deepest layers of the skin and nourish them.
Apply coconut oil generously to your feet before sleeping and put on socks. In the morning wash your feet as usual. Repeat this for a few days.
Soak with mouthwash
Soaking your feet in mouthwash can soften hardened dead skin and make it easier to clean. This is also an antiseptic and soothes the skin due to the phytochemicals like menthol and thymol that are present in it. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these effects.
You will need 1 cup of mouthwash, 1 cup of white vinegar, 2 cups of water, a large foot soak container, and a foot file or a pumice stone. Soak your feet for 10-15 minutes in the liquid mixture that contains the ingredients mentioned above. Take out your feet and rub them with the foot file or pumice stone to remove dead skin. Rinse with clean water, pat dry and moisten. Repeat this, every day for 3-4 days until the dead skin is gone.
Baking soda
Baking soda is a commonly used scrub. It eliminates dead cells and also soothes the skin.
You will need 3 tablespoons of baking soda, warm water, a bucket, and a pumice stone. Fill two thirds of the bucket with warm water and add the baking soda. Mix well until the baking soda dissolves in the water. Soak your feet in this mixture for 10 to 15 minutes.
Remove your feet from the soak and rub gently with the pumice stone. Rinse with clean water. Do this twice a week.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera soothes dry, dead skin and heals the ridges and cracks that have formed by increasing collagen synthesis. The amino acids present in it help to soften the skin.
You will need aloe vera gel, warm water, a foot sink, and a pair of socks. Soak your feet in warm water for a few minutes. Pat dry and apply aloe vera gel generously on your feet. Wear socks and leave the gel on your feet overnight. Repeat this, every night for 4-5 days.
Tips to prevent cracked heels
- Proper hydration is the first step in preventing dry heels.
- Wearing comfortable shoes, refraining from excessive walking, and avoiding overexposure to pollution are the easiest ways to prevent cracked heels.
- Rubbing your heels regularly with a pumice stone, and soaking them in warm salt water or water with lemon juice can keep them clean and soft.
- Relaxing your feet and having oil foot massages also prevents dryness and cracked heels.
- Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated and supple.
There are many ways to speed up the healing process for your cracked feet, and the most effective are keeping your feet well hydrated, not exposing them to pollution, relaxing them, performing foot massages based on natural oil, soaking your feet in warm water with a little lemon juice, and treating medical conditions, skin problems, and obesity.
ALFA