6 Ways To Get Rid Of Cracked Heels
Dry cracked heels are a common skin problem. With cracked heels, you might experience itching, redness, peeling skin, and inflammation. It is important to treat the cracked heels as soon as possible to prevent cracks from getting deeper and that will ultimately cause pain and bleeding.
Cracked heels might appear due to dryness, improper foot care, unhealthy diet, prolonged standing, and lack of moisture. Some other health complications like diabetes, thyroid disease, eczema, and psoriasis can also aggravate the condition. You can heal cracked heels with some available home remedies. Do you want to know the home remedies for cracked heels? If yes, then consider the following six remedies to get rid of cracked heels.
1. Vegetable Oil
You can use vegetable oils to prevent and treat cracked heels. Coconut oil, olive oil, and sesame oil are considered very effective for the cracked heels. You can apply any of these oils on your cracked heels before going to bed at night. Allow them to penetrate your skin fully. To treat your cracked heel, first, soak your feet in the soapy water and then scrub it with a pumice stone. Wash it with water and pat it dry. Then apply the vegetable oils. You will see the improvements in a day or two. Practice this process for a couple of weeks.
2. Lemon
Lemon has the acidic property that can help to soften the dry and rough skins that cause cracking. To treat the cracked heels, soak your feet in the warm water for ten minutes. You can also add lemon juice in the water. Then scrub the cracked heels with a pumice stone. Wash your feet it and pat it dry. Practice this treatment once in every day until the symptoms are gone completely.
3. Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum Jelly is effective on dry and rough skin. It can keep your skin soft and well moisturized. For the treatment, soak your feet in the hot water for the ten minutes then scrub it with a pumice stone. Now wash your feet and dry it with a towel. Apply the petroleum jelly on the affected skin. You can also make a mixture of the one teaspoon of the lemon juice and petroleum jelly for the better results. Cover it with the socks. Follow this practice daily before going to bed.
4. Rice Flour
Rice flour can be used as a homemade exfoliating scrub. To make it scrub, prepare a paste of a few teaspoons of the apple cider vinegar and honey with a handful of ground rice. Make it a thick paste. You can also add olive oil into that paste for the better results. For the treatment, soak your feet in lukewarm water for ten minutes, and then scrub it gently with this homemade scrub. Practice it in every alternative day for a couple of weeks.
5. Glycerin and Rosewater
The combination of the rose water and glycerin is an effective home remedy for the cracked heels. Glycerin is used to soften the skin and the rosewater has Vitamin A, B3, C, D, E, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiseptic properties. Make a solution of the equal amount of the glycerin and rose water and apply it on your feet daily before going to the bed. You will see the immediate improvements.
6. Honey
Honey contains antibacterial and moisturizing properties that make it an excellent choice for the cracked heels. For the treatment, mix one cup of the honey in warm water and soak your feet in that water for twenty minutes. Then scrub it gently. You can practice this treatment once in every day for a few weeks.
Additional Tips
- Follow a healthy diet. Include the vitamins and nutrients in your food such as omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, iron, vitamin A, calcium, vitamin E, nuts, cereals, milk, chicken, beans, fish, and flax seed oil.
- Drink enough water for the hydration.
- Apply the oils on your feet for the added benefits.
- Avoid dry air. Dry air will worsen the condition.
- Moisturize your heels on a daily basis to prevent the cracked heels.
- Avoid standing for a prolonged period.
- Wash your feet regularly.
The cracked heel is not a serious health condition. It can be treated with any of the above home remedies. But if you have any other health complication and skin disorders and you find it difficult to treat it naturally then consider visiting your doctor.