20 Home Remedies For Cracked Heels + Causes & Prevention Tips
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Even though we care about our face, hands and nails regularly, somehow our feet are often most neglected by us. Wearing slippers or feet-exposing footwear also leaves them prone to get dry and cracked. What you wear on your feet matters in terms of how healthy your skin is. Don't ignore dry, cracked heels, as over time you may develop deeper fissures, which increases your risk of infection. If self-care measures don't help, talk with your doctor about other treatment options.
To avoid getting it everywhere, you can apply petroleum jelly to your heels before bed and don socks — this will keep the moisture in and your sheets clean. Petroleum jelly is inexpensive and an incredibly effective moisturizer, reducing water loss from the skin by 98%. However, occlusive moisturizers can be messy to apply, and are not absorbed into the skin very quickly. Home remedies are ideal for treating this condition. However, if you experience soreness, redness, swelling or severe pain in any area of the foot for more than a few days, you should see a doctor or podiatrist. “Cracked heels are basically due to severe dry skin.
Causes of Cracked Heels
'Moisturising feet frequently is the best solution for cracked heels,' says Emma. 'If you apply the cream thickly with socks overnight it doesn't speed up healing but it will hold the cream in place while it’s absorbed. To maintain good quality skin use a pea-sized amount of a foot cream on your heels every day.' What's more you'll reap the benefits of a little self-care. Some people like to add fresh lemon juice to their foot soak as the acid in the fruit helps to get rid of dry skin cells.
Moisturize your heels and soles multiple times a day, especially before going out. Your entire body weight falls on your feet and can render them tired and worn out. Unfortunately, a lot of people neglect the condition of their feet until they develop severe problems that affect their daily movement and comfort. Some people report success using super glue to close skin cracks.
Vegetable Oil
If the cracking on your heels is extremely bad, add a tablespoon of olive oil or sweet almond oil. Check out the infographic below to learn more about the best essential oils you can use in foot soaks or DIY foot creams to heal broken and dry heels. Soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes and gently scrub it with the paste to remove dead skin cells from your feet. At first moisturize your feet and heels, then take coconut oil on your palm and apply that generously to your heels and toe area. Applying coconut oil after a moisturizer will help to lock the moisture that in return will ensure crack-free heels.
The primary cause of cracked heels is dryness of the foot skin. Skin in the foot is thicker than skin in your arms. Dry feet and cracked heels may be caused by various reasons.
Use a pumice stone
It removes dead cells and also soothes the skin. However, this remedy is better to avoid if you have deep fissures which appear like wounds. Apply some olive oil with the help of a cotton ball and gently massage your feet in a circular motion for minutes.
In case you develop severe cracked feet, or have diabetes or impaired circulation then make sure you consult a podiatrist or doctor. Cover your feet with socks so that the petroleum jelly soaks into the skin. Do this daily for a few weeks to restore soft and smooth heels. Soak your feet in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove your feet from the soak and scrub gently with the pumice stone.
Additional Tips to Prevent Cracked Heels
Consume ample amounts of liquids throughout the day to prevent dryness. Use fitted, padded, cotton socks with non-slip outsoles. Wear any orthotics or insoles prescribed by your doctor. Shoes with solid heel counters at the rear help in protecting the heel. Apply a generous amount of moisturizer all over your feet. Apply the paste on the affected area and gently massage it to shed the dead, flaky skin.
Create a basic daily routine for yourself that includes cleaning and moisturizing your feet. Also, check your feet regularly for any problems. I soaked my feet for 20 minute a day for 2 weeks in vinegar and used a fine grater to remove the dry skin.
Remove your feet and scrub them using the foot file or pumice stone to slough off the dead skin. Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties that help get rid of dead skin cells and soften the skin . Use the pumice stone to scrub any hard or dry skin. Scrub your heels and the sides of the feet with a pumice stone or a foot scrubber. Add raw salt, one tablespoon of glycerine, and one teaspoon of rosewater to a basin filled with warm water.
Leave it on for 30 minutes to overnight, then rinse with warm water. The moisturizing properties of both banana and avocado help to heal and soothe the chapped foot skin. Combine 1 tablespoon powdered oatmeal and 4 – 5 drops of olive oil.
Rub your feet before or after bathing every day. This remedy for cracked heels is not for diabetic patients. If you look for a sure shortcut way to remove the dead skin, reduce cracks and make your feet soft, go for this. Nourish the rough and dull feet with a lemon foot soak. Pick the tub that comfortably accommodates your feet.
Severe cases of cracked heels should also be evaluated by a podiatrist, regardless of your medical history. The doctor will suggest the best treatment for your situation. For most people, having cracked heels isn’t serious.
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