9 Best Home Remedies to Reduce Cracked Heels

What is a Cracked heel?

When the sensitive skin on the bottom of the feet and heels becomes too dry, it can split open, leaving painful cracks called fissures on your heels. Those cracks may not only make it painful to walk, but can also lead to serious infections.

Symptoms Of Cracked Feet:

The signs and symptoms of cracked heels indicate the external abuse of the feet or faulty internal activity.

Rough skin on the feet-

This is one of the first signs that indicate you are going to develop cracked feet. The callus skin around the heels will lead to cracks.

Red, flaky patches-

Red and flaky skin on the feet shows that your feet need more care. If you ignore the flaky skin the condition will worsen.

Cracks on the underside of the feet or fissures-

This symptom follows the red, flaky skin. Cracks on the feet are a definite sign of cracked feet and immediate remedy is required to improve the condition of the skin. Do not pull out the pieces of dry skin. Clip away the dead skin using small scissors.

Itchiness-

The shrinking of the upper layers of the skin causes stretching of the skin below and this result in itching.

Rash caused by itching-

The itching if left untreated can lead to rash which may be painful. Get rid of the upper layers of the skin before you start any treatment for dry and cracked feet.

Bleeding or discharge from the cracks-

When the cracks affect the deeper layers of the skin bleeding or discharge from the cracks occurs. This increases the chances of infection of the cracked skin.

Symptoms worsening during winter-

The symptoms like dryness, itchiness and rash increases during cold climate.

Causes of Cracked Heels:

• Cold winter weather
• Dehydration, or not drinking enough water
• Not moisturizing your feet
• Taking very hot baths or showers
• Soaking in a hot bath for too long or too frequently
• Using harsh, drying soaps on your feet
• Scrubbing feet dry
• Having diabetes

Best Home Remedies for Cracked Heels:

1. Oil Massage

Oils are natural moisturizers and several of them are especially effective for thick, cracked heels. Mixing a variety of moisturizing oils helps to increase the speed at which the heels soften. Massage your heels with a mixture of the following oils:

• Almond oil
• Olive oil
• Coconut oil
• Grapeseed oil
• Sesame oil

How to do it:

• Take about 10 minutes to thoroughly massage your feet, paying the most attention to your heels and other cracked areas.
• After you massage the oils in put on a pair of thick cotton socks so that the oils continue to go to work.
• It is best to do this right before bed so that the oils work as you sleep.

2. Shea Butter:

Organic shea butter is a rich emollient packed full of nutrients, such as vitamins A, D, E and F as well as antioxidants and essential fatty acids, to help combat dry skin. A little goes a long way with shea butter.

How to do it:

You can soak feet in a bucket or large bowl (wide enough to fit both feet) and fill with warm water and 1 tbsp of shea butter for 15 minutes.
Or you could you massage feet with 1-2 tbsp of shea butter and cover feet with socks(try these heel socks) overnight.

3. Castor Oil:

Castor oil has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties owing to the fact that it is rich in vitamins and nutrients. Simply apply some castor oil on your cracked heels, wear socks over your feet and let it seep in and heal those cracks overnight.

4. Neem:

Neem is known to be the destroyer of all things that threaten good health. And this holds true for cracked heels too. Owing to its high fungicidal properties, Neem fights infection and really soothes dry, irritated skin.

How to do it:

To make those cracks on your heels disappear, first crush a handful of Neem leaves into a fine paste.
To this paste, add some turmeric powder and mix them well together.
Now apply the paste on the cracks and leave it on for about 30 minutes. That done, wash your feet with warm water and dry them with a clean cloth.
Use it daily and you are bound to see a difference in no time.
5. Coconut oil:

Coconut oil is an natural sanitizer and helps to kill germs that could lead to infection.

How to do it:

• Massage a spoonful of coconut oil on each cracked heel and cover with socks (try these heel socks) before bed.
• In the morning, heels should be smoother and softer. Repeat as needed each night until cracked heels are better.

6. Epsom Salt:

How to do it:

• Add 1/3 cup of epsom salt to a bucket or large bowl wide enough to fit both feet.
• Fill with warm water and let feet soak for 20-30 minutes.
• The epsom salt helps to gently exfoliate the feet.
• Rub feet with a light oil such as sesame oil or jojoba oil to keep feet moisturized.

7. Ripe Banana Feet Pack:

Another home remedy that answers your question how to heal cracked feet is to prepare a good fruit pack.

How to do it:

• You can mash ripe bananas and make it a smooth paste.
• You can apply this paste to the areas where you notice cracks under your feet and leave it there for about 15 to 20 minutes or overnight.
• You can then wash it off. You can do it on a regular basis to heal cracked feet easily.

8. Olive Oil:

How to do it:

• Apply virgin olive oil with the help of cotton balls on the affected areas of your feet.
• Massage the feet with this oil using the cotton balls in circular motion for fifteen minutes.
• The dryness on your feet’s skin will be removed after a few days.
• This will prevent your feet from cracking.

9. Lemon, Rosewater & Glycerin:

How to do it:

• Lemon juice can be used in combination with other soothing, healing ingredients.
• You can create a healing foot soak for yourself by combining rosewater, glycerin, salt and lemon juice.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon of rosewater
• 1 teaspoon of pure glycerin

Soak and treat your feet as usual.