Causes Cracked Heels

There are many factors responsible for dry, cracked heels. There are no oil glands present in the skin of your heels. Thus, if proper care is not taken, they get dry, thereby causing the skin to crack and bleed. Other reasons for cracked heels are:

• Skin conditions, like psoriasis and eczema.
• Medical conditions, like thyroid, diabetes, and hormonal imbalance.
• Exposing heels to pollution.
• Excessive walking and standing on hard floors for long.

Symptoms Of Dry, Cracked Heels

The symptoms of dry and cracked heels are:

• Dryness around the heel area and in the area on the underside of your feet, just below the toes.
• Red and flaky patches of skin.
• Skin peeling in thin strands.
• Cracks and ridges in the skin.
• Itchiness
• Bleeding from the cracks.
• Discharge from the cracks due to a developed infection.

Tips To Prevent Cracked Heels

• Proper moisturization is the first step to prevent dry heels.
• Wearing comfortable shoes, refraining from excessive walking, and avoiding overexposure to pollution are the easiest ways to prevent cracked heels.
• Scrubbing your heels regularly with pumice stone and dipping them in warm salt water or water with lemon juice added to it can keep them clean and soft.
• Relaxing your feet and indulging in foot massages with oil also prevents dryness and cracked heels.
• Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated and supple.

Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Cracked Heels

1. Salt, Glycerine, And Rose Water Foot Mask

Rose water contains antioxidants that prevent cell damage. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that may help relieve dry and irritated skin. Glycerine is an effective humectant that helps your skin retain its natural moisture levels. These properties can help moisturize cracked heels.

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of salt
• 2 tablespoons of glycerine
• 2 teaspoons of rosewater
• Warm water
• Pumice stone/foot scrubber

What You Have To Do

1. Add raw salt, one tablespoon of glycerine, and one teaspoon of rosewater to a basin filled with warm water. Soak your feet in this mixture for about 15-20 minutes.
2. Scrub your heels and the sides of the feet with a pumice stone or a foot scrubber.

2. Baking Soda

Baking soda is a commonly used exfoliant. It removes dead cells and also soothes the skin.

You Will Need

• 3 tablespoons of baking soda
• Warm water
• A bucket
• Pumice stone

What You Have To Do

1. Fill two-thirds of the bucket with warm water and add the baking soda. Mix well until the baking soda dissolves in the water.
2. Soak your feet in this mixture for 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Remove your feet from the soak and scrub gently with the pumice stone.
4. Rinse with clean water.

3. Vegetable Oil

Studies show that vegetable oils contain emollient properties, along with antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. They act as nutritional building blocks for healthy skin. These potent qualities of vegetable oils can help treat cracked heels.

You Will Need

2 teaspoons of vegetable oil

What You Have To Do

1. Wash your feet and dry them with a clean towel. Apply a layer of vegetable oil on the affected area.
2. Wear a pair of thick socks and leave them on overnight.
3. Wash your feet in the morning.

4. Banana and Avocado Foot Mask

Avocado contains vitamins A, E, and omega fatty acids and other nutrients that promote wound healing (6). Banana works as a moisturizer. These properties may help treat cracked heels.

You Will Need

• 1 ripe banana
• 1/2 avocado

What You Have To Do

1. Blend a ripe banana and half an avocado.
2. Apply this thick, creamy paste over your heels and feet.
3. Keep it on for 15 to 20 minutes and then wash off your feet with lukewarm water.

5. Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly helps restore moisture to dry and cracked heels. It reduces water loss from the outer skin. This keeps your skin soft and hydrated. Woolen socks help trap the body’s heat and increase the effectiveness of the mixture. 

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of Vaseline
• Moisturizer
• Pumice stone
• Lukewarm water 

What You Have To Do

1. Soak your feet in warm water for about 15-20 minutes.
2. Use the pumice stone to scrub any hard or dry skin. Pat your feet dry.
3. Apply moisturizer to the affected area.
4. Apply Vaseline over it to lock in moisture.
5. Put on a pair of woolen socks. Keep them on overnight and wash your feet in the morning.

6. Paraffin Wax Natural Remedy

Paraffin wax acts as a natural emollient that helps soften your skin. It is an effective treatment for cracked and sore heels.

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of paraffin wax
• 2-3 drops of mustard/coconut oil

What You Have To Do

1. Mix paraffin wax with mustard oil or coconut oil.
2. Heat the mixture in a pan until the wax melts properly.
3. Allow this mixture to cool down to room temperature. Apply it to your feet before going to bed and wear a pair of socks.
4. Wash off in the morning.

7. Honey

Honey is a natural antiseptic that helps heal cracked feet, and its soothing properties help revitalize the skin.

You Will Need

• 1 cup honey
• Warm water

What You Have To Do

1. Mix one cup of honey in half a bucket of warm water.
2. Soak your feet for about 15-20 minutes in the water-honey mixture.
3. Scrub off gently.

8. Olive Oil

Olive oil has nourishing properties that make your skin soft and supple. However, it is not suitable for all skin types. Therefore, do a patch test before using it on the affected area.

You Will Need

1 tablespoon of olive oil

What You Have To Do

1. Apply some olive oil with the help of a cotton ball and gently massage your feet in a circular motion for 10-15 minutes.
2. Wear a pair of thick cotton socks and wash off after an hour

9. Oatmeal Remedy

Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties that help get rid of dead skin cells and soften the skin.

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of powdered oatmeal
• 4-5 drops of olive oil

What You Have To Do

1. Mix the powdered oatmeal and olive oil to make a thick paste.
2. Apply this paste to your feet, especially over the heels and any cracked parts. Leave it on for about half an hour.
3. Rinse with cold water and pat dry. 

10. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil moisturizes dry skin and also helps get rid of dead skin cells. It can penetrate to the deeper layers of the skin and nourish them. 

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
• A pair of socks

What You Have To Do

1. Apply coconut oil liberally on your feet.
2. Slip on the socks and go to bed.
3. Shower as usual in the morning.

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