Feeling embarrassed to remove your shoes in public places because of cracked heel? Most of us do spend a lot of time taking care of our face, but the least importance is given to our feet, often completely ignored.

Some of the common factors that cause cracked heels are obesity, improperly fitting shoes, standing for a long duration, dry skin and lack of proper care and hygiene.

Our kitchen is a repository of wonderful ingredients with healing properties and medicinal values that can cure many daily problems, including cracked heels.

Let’s look at some of the home remedies to heal your cracked heels.

1. Banana

The abundance of nutrients in bananas that includes vitamin A, B6 and C all of which eases to keep up the elasticity of the skin and keeps the skin well hydrated. Banana is a natural moisturizer that keeps the feet moisten and prevents drying of skin.

Ingredients

2 ripe bananas

How to do

Take 2 ripe bananas mash into a smooth paste. Avoid unripe bananas as it contains acid that is not good for the skin.

Apply the paste all over the feet, including the nails and sides of the toe. Let it stay for 20 minutes and then rinse your feet with water.

Repeat this for at least 2 weeks before going to bed to get best results.

2. Honey

Honey is considered as a natural antiseptic that aids in healing the cracked feet. It is also a good humectant that moistens the skin and prevents drying of the skin. In addition, the soothing properties of honey also help to revitalize the skin.

Ingredients

1 cup honey

Warm water

How to do

Mix 1 cup of honey to a tub of warm water.

Clean the feet and steep in this mixture, massage soothingly for 20 minutes.

Dry your feet and apply moisturizer.

Regularly do this before going to bed for a few weeks.

3. Vegetable Oil

Cooking oils gets readily absorbed by the skin. Vegetable oils are heaped with nutrients that include vitamin A, D, and E all of which revamp the skin and heals cracked heels by creating new cells.

Ingredients

2 tbsp vegetable oil

How to do

Clean and pat dry your feet thoroughly.

Nicely spread a thick layer of vegetable oil, covering your heels and toes.

Wear clean comfortable socks and leave them overnight.

Repeat this daily before going to bed to heal the cracked heels.

4. Vaseline and lemon juice

The acidic properties of lemon, when combined with the moisturizing effect of Vaseline, ease to clear off dry skin and cracked feet.

Ingredients

1 tsp Vaseline

4-5 drops of lemon juice

Warm water

How to do

Steep your feet in lukewarm water for about 15 minutes. Rinse and dry.

Combine 1 tsp of Vaseline and a few drops of lemon juice. Apply this mixture over your heels and other parts of the feet thoroughly.

Wear a pair of woollen socks overnight and wash off in the morning.

Do this simple procedure before going to bed regularly.

5. Rice flour, honey and vinegar

Rice flour work as an amazing natural exfoliator, that helps to clear off the dead cells and nourishes the skin. Added with honey a natural antiseptic that heal cracked feet and vinegar is mild acid that moistens the dry and dead skin, making it very easy to exfoliate.

Ingredients

2 tbsp rice flour

1 tsp honey

5-6 drops of vinegar

How to do

Make a scrub by mixing all the ingredients to form a thick paste.

Soak your feet in lukewarm water for 10 minutes, dry and then gently scrub using the mixture to clear off the dead skin.

Repeat this process 2-3 times in a week.

Treat your feet by giving a little more attention and care, start with moisturizing them at least twice a day. Look out for moisturizers containing skin-softening agents like urea, salicylic acid or alpha hydroxy acid that may help clear dead skin cells.

Simple Feet Care Routine To Be Followed

Soak your feet for about 10 minutes in plain water and dry well.

Gently rub the heels with a foot scrubber to aid remove dead skin cells.

Massage oil-based cream or petroleum jelly and wear a cotton sock at bedtime to seal the moisture and help the moisturiser to work.

Never ignore dry, cracked heels, if left unattended you may develop deeper fissures, which may increase the risk of infection.

Other Natural Remedies

There are several other home remedies that work wonders for healing cracked heels. All these ingredients’ functions in moisturising and softening the skin. These include:

  • Vinegar- for a natural foot soak
  • Olive oil - moisturises the feet
  • Shea butter- soften and moisturise the feet
  • Mashed bananas - to moisturise feet
  • Paraffin wax - locks the moisture
  • Oatmeal blended with oil - for clearing dirt and impurities

Frequently Asked Questions

How Cracks In Heels Begin?

Cracked heels are a common foot problem also called heel fissures. Primarily, it is caused by insufficient moisture that is when the skin around the heels becomes thickened and loses its elasticity.

Why Does Diabetes Cause Cracked Heels?

In diabetes, the blood sugar level of the body changes. This damages the nerve cells of your feet and the skin on your feet may become dry and rough.

What Can Prevent Cracked Heels?

Drinking enough water to hydrate your body is the best way to cure cracked heels. Also, apply a foot cream or moisturizer to your feet before going to bed and always wear clean and good quality shoes and socks.

What Are The First Signs Of Cracked Heels?

The first sign of cracked heels is the rough and dry skin with some peeling. The formation of cracks on your heels and skin on the top of your feet gets rough and itch also is a sign of cracked heels.

References:

Management of Padadari (cracked feet) with Rakta Snuhi (Euphorbia caducifolia Haines.) based formulation: An open-labeled clinical study

Shashi Gupta and Rabinarayan Acharya

Author information: Department of Dravyaguna, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6639817/

Disclaimer:

The content provided here is for informational purposes only. This blog is not intended to substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider for any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical condition. Reliance does not endorse or recommend any specific tests, physicians, procedures, opinions, or other information mentioned on the blog.