Cracked feet, also known as heel fissures, are a common problem for people of all ages, mostly caused by lack of moisture.
Other causes include, standing for long hours, using harsh soaps, cold weather, continuous exposure to water, being overweight, and wearing improper footwear. Conditions like eczema, psoriasis, thyroid disease and diabetes can also contribute to this problem.
Some of the signs and symptoms of cracked feet are red or flaky patches, peeling skin, itchiness, bleeding from the cracks and pain.
Cracked feet look unattractive and, in some cases can lead to infection and extreme pain. The problem can be taken care of with some simple home remedies.
Here are the top ways to heal cracked feet.
1. Scrubbing:
Scrubbing the hard, dead skin away helps a great deal in getting rid of cracked feet. Before scrubbing, soak your feet in warm soapy water to help soften the skin and make it easier to scrub.
Before going to bed, mix some liquid soap in a foot tub filled with warm water.
Soak your feet in this warm soapy water for about 20 minutes.
Use a pumice stone to gently scrub off the loosened dead skin cells.
Rinse off your feet with clean water and pat dry with a soft towel.
Apply some foot cream or moisturizer and wear a pair of clean cotton socks overnight.
Follow this remedy daily until your cracked feet are healed completely.
2. Coconut Oil:
Coconut oil is another incredible remedy for dry, cracked feet. It helps moisturize your feet and also fights fungal and bacterial infections, thanks to its antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
Before going to sleep, soak your feet in warm water and scrub with a loofah.
Dry your feet thoroughly and then apply coconut oil generously on your feet.
Put on a pair of clean, cotton socks for the night.
The next morning, remove the socks and wash your feet.
Do this daily for several days until you are satisfied with the results.
You can also use olive oil in the same way.
3. Mentholated Rub:
This is another popular home remedy for cracked heels because of the many essential oils that it contains. It also helps heal toenail fungus.
Apply some mentholated rub on clean, dry feet before going to bed.
Put on a pair of socks and leave it on overnight.
The next morning, remove your socks and wash your feet with warm water.
Repeat daily for a few days until the rough skin peels off.
4. Paraffin Wax:
You can also use paraffin wax to remove the dead, dry skin and cure cracked feet. It will also work as a natural emollient to soften the skin and retain the natural oils on the skin.
Heat some paraffin wax in a microwave or double-boiler and add an equal amount of mustard oil or coconut oil to it.
Apply this thick creamy paste on the cracks and put on a pair of socks.
Leave it on overnight and wash your feet thoroughly in the morning.
Follow this remedy daily for one or two weeks.
5. Glycerin:
Due to its moisturizing and humectant properties, glycerin works as a great remedy to get rid of cracked feet.
Make a mixture of equal parts of glycerin and lemon juice. You can also add some rose water.
Apply it on your feet.
Leave it on for 20 minutes and wash it off with water.
Follow this remedy daily for about two weeks.
6. Epsom Salt:
Epsom facilitates the process of healing cracked feet as it promotes circulation. Plus, the magnesium in Epsom salt promotes skin health and draws out toxins.
Add one-half cup of Epsom salt in a foot tub filled with warm water.
Soak your feet in it for 10 minutes.
Gently rub your feet with a pumice stone for a few minutes.
Put your feet back in the Epsom salt soak for another 10 minutes.
Finally, dry your feet thoroughly and apply a moisturizer or petroleum jelly.
Repeat daily for two or three days.
7. Vinegar:
Vinegar can also be used to treat cracked feet as the acetic acid in vinegar helps soften the skin which in turn makes exfoliation easier. Vinegar foot soaks are also beneficial for tired feet.
Mix one-half to one cup of white or apple cider vinegar in two cups of water. Soak in it for 10 to 15 minutes and then slough off the dead, dry skin with a pumice stone or foot scrubber. Then, wash your feet and pat dry thoroughly. Finally, apply a moisturizer or petroleum jelly.
Another option is to make a natural foot scrub. Mix a handful of coarse rice flour, a few tablespoons of raw honey and apple cider vinegar to make a thick paste. You can also add one tablespoon of olive oil to it. Wash your feet well and then gently massage your feet with this paste for a few minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water. Repeat once or twice a week.
8. Lemon:
Lemon juice has a very mild natural acidic property that can help get rid of dead and dry skin cells from your feet. It will also make your skin soft and beautiful.
Add some lemon juice to warm water. Soak your feet in this solution for about 10 minutes. Gently scrub your feet with a soft foot brush. Wash and dry your feet completely and then apply some moisturizer.
Repeat a few times a week.
Another option is to add the juice from one lemon to one teaspoon of petroleum jelly and apply this mixture to your dry and cracked heels. Before applying, it is essential to wash your feet and pat them dry. Follow this remedy once or twice daily.
You can also create a foot scrub by mixing together five tablespoons of sea salt, one tablespoon of olive oil and juice from one lemon. Apply it on your cracked feet. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Follow this remedy once or twice a week to get positive results.
9. Banana:
Overripe banana can be put to good use by blending them into a paste and applying on your cracked feet. They will help soften and moisturize your skin.
Blend one or two overripe bananas in a blender to form a thick, creamy paste. You can also add half an avocado.
Apply this paste on your feet.
Leave it on for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Wash your feet thoroughly, alternating with lukewarm and cold water.
Follow this remedy on a daily basis to prevent and treat dry and cracked heels.
10. Oatmeal:
You can treat cracked feet with a homemade foot scrub made from oatmeal. It will help remove dead skin and also keep your feet moisturized.
Mix one tablespoons of powdered oatmeal and some jojoba oil to make a thick paste. Apply the paste to your feet, with special attention to the heels and callused areas. Leave it on for about 30 minutes. Rinse it off with cold water and pat dry your feet. Do this every other day until your cracked feet are healed completely.
Another option is to mix one-quarter cup each of honey and olive oil and one-half cup of all-purpose flour in one cup of ground oatmeal. Soak your feet in warm water, exfoliate and then apply this paste. Leave it on for 30 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water and follow with a moisturizer or foot cream. Repeat a few times a week.
11.Oil Massage:
Oils are the best natural moisturizers, not only for your dry feet but also for your skin anywhere. You can either use any hydrogenated oil alone or mix them to get added benefits of their different components.
Get this:
Almond oil; or
Grape-seed oil; or
Olive oil; or
Sesame oil; or
Coconut oil
Warm water
Socks
Do this:
Use one or a mixture of these oils (for example- a mixture of almond, grapeseed and olive oil)
Wash your feet with warm water at night before going to bed.
Massage your heels with any of the oils or an oil mixture.
Wear socks and go to sleep.
Continue this till your cracked heels are cured!
12. Fruit Mask:
Fruits have many enzymes and other wonder components and that’s why they are so healthy! They can even make you get rid of your cracked heels. You just need to pick certain fruits like banana, pineapple, avocado, papaya etc. and mash them to massage your feet. Banana and papaya are the best options as you can mash them easily. Rub them alone or make this fruit mixture.
Get this:
Banana- 1
Avocado- half of it
Coconut flesh- from half coconut
Do this:
Mash banana and avocado.
Add coconut flesh to this.
Mix well to get a paste
Apply the mashed fruits mask on your heals.
Leave for 15 minutes
Wash off with water.
Do this everyday till your cracks are healed.
You can use papaya too instead of banana. In fact, if you don’t have much time or will to put so much of efforts, just mash banana or papaya and apply this to your heels. However, if you have wide fissures, you should try to make the mask with all the ingredients.
4. Milk-Honey Exfoliate for Cracked Heels
When you lack in taking proper care of your feet, you may get cracked heel. Therefore, it’s essential to follow a daily regime of cleansing and moisturizing your heels and a weekly regimen of exfoliating them. If you already have cracked heels, exfoliate them daily and moisturize them till they are cured. Here is a natural exfoliating mix made with honey and milk for you.
Milk – 2 cups
Honey – 1 cup
Do this:
Pour the honey and milk into a foot soaking basin and mix well. If you feel, you need more of them, get 2 more cups of milk and a cup of honey (one cup honey to two cups of milk- maintain the ratio)
Soak your feet for 15-20 minutes in this mixture.
After about 10 minutes of soaking, start massaging your heels that are still into the basin soaked in milk-honey mixture.
Keep doing this for about 10 minutes.
Now wash with lukewarm water.
13. Herbal Neem-Tulsi:
And now an Ayurvedic remedy for cracked heels which has been used since ages in India. The anti fungal and anti bacterial margosa leaves or neem leaves when mixed with the very skin friendly herb turmeric, can do wonders to give you soft and smooth heels. This remedy is particularly good for bleeding heels.
Get this:
Margosa (Neem) leaves- handful of them
Turmeric powder- 3 tsp
Water
Do this:
Crush the neem leaves adding a little water to get its paste.
Add turmeric powder to neem leaves paste.
Apply this paste to the cracks of heels.
Leave it for half an hour.
Wash off your feet with water.
Pat dry with a soft cloth.
As turmeric leaves stain, be careful when using this remedy.
These remedies will help restore the skin on your feet to a smooth and supple appearance. If you do not get positive results within a week, consult a podiatrist to find out the exact cause and get proper treatment.
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