Cracked heels are a common problem affecting men and women all over the world. Especially during the winter months or when you live in a dry climate, your feet are at a higher risk. Although for most of us cracked heels are nothing more than an inconvenience that makes your feet look old and unattractive. For others, this means immense pain and not being able to wear even the most comfortable shoes.
For most people cracked heels are a sign of inadequate foot care. Especially when you’re trapped in shoes and on your feet the whole day. Too much pressure on your feet pads makes your feet want to expand sideways. When your feet are dry and lack flexibility, the pressure on the feet leads to cracked heels.
But actually, there are many other factors playing a role in the development of cracks or fissures on your feet. When left untreated those fissures or cracks may deepen and become very painful. It may even cause bleeding and infections.
Causes Of Cracked Heels
- Dry skin or callus around the heels in combination with overpressure
- Being on your feet for long periods at work and harder floors
- Overweight increases the pressure on your feet as well
- Athlete’s foot, psoriasis, eczema, thyroid disease, diabetes and some other skin conditions may also cause cracked heels
- Natural aging process, our skin loses its elasticity when getting older
- Continuous exposure to water makes your skin lose its oily structure and causes dry and rough skin.
- Deficiency of vitamins, minerals, zinc, and essential Omega-3 fatty acids
- Very long and hot showers
- Harsh soaps, lotions, and other feet care products
- Too much exposure from the sun
How To Prevent Cracked Heels
Foot Care: Exfoliate, Soak, And Moisturizes Your Feet Regular
Treating your feet with the best care, especially when you’re on your feet the whole day, is a must to avoid cracked or dry heels and feet. Avoid harsh cosmetics and lotions as they may worsen the cracks on dryness. A better and easier way is to make your own healing foot care products. They are easy, cheap, and probably all the ingredients you need are hiding in your cupboards.
Check out my previous blog post: How To Treat Your Tired Feet With The Best Care, and discover how to make your own foot bath, scrubs and lotion to avoid dry, cracked skin.
Other tips that may help you with a better foot care include:
- Keep your feet clean and dirt free
- Keep your feet moisturized
- Exfoliate when needed
- Avoid walking barefoot when you have deep or bleeding cracks
Watch Your Diet
Cracked feet may be caused by dietary deficiencies. Especially when your diet fails to provide your body with enough zinc and essential Omega-3 fatty acids. Oysters, organic chicken, crab, kidney beans, yogurt, and brown rice are all good sources of zinc. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in cold water fish and seed oils like flaxseed or chia.
Other nutrients to watch are vitamin E (green vegetables, wheat germ, whole-grain products, and nuts), calcium (organic raw certified cow or goat milk, organic cheeses, yogurt, dark leafy vegetables, and broccoli), and iron (certified organic meats, including beef, chicken and fish, as well as organic free range eggs, vegetables, and beans). In order to make sure calcium is well absorbed and utilized make sure your diet has enough magnesium as well.
Scroll down for natural remedies to soothe or cure cracked heels.
Natural Remedies To Soothe Or Cure Cracked Heels And Feet
Apply Moisturizing Oils Before Bed
The most effective and easy way to get rid of dry, cracked heels, is applying healing oils and moisturizers before going to bed. Apply oils like sweet almond, jojoba, coconut, avocado, grapeseed, or olive oil on your feet and heels. Give them a good massage, cover with a pair of cotton socks, and leave on all night. Cacao or shea butter are 2 other great moisturizers you could try. Repeat daily until your cracked heels are completed healed.
Raw, Mashed Papaya Or Banana Paste
Not only tasty and jam-packed with healthy nutrients but wonderful to treat cracks and dry skin as well. Pineapple has similar benefits but papaya or banana are much easier to mash into a smooth paste. Apply the paste to the affected areas and leave it there for about 10-15 minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water and feel its instant soothing and softening benefits. Repeat on a daily basis. For more serious cracks add coconut flesh or avocado to your paste.
Honey Scrub Or Soak
Honey is a great way to moisturize your feet. Its antimicrobial properties help you to heal and soften dry, cracked skin. Dissolve honey in warm water and soak for at least 10 minutes. Or scrub and massage your feet and heels with raw honey, and leave on for 10 minutes before washing it off. Repeat on a daily basis until cracks are healed.
Paraffin Wax Treatment
No need to go to a spa or pedicure, you can easily make your own wax treatment at home. Make sure your feet are clean (you could scrub and soak first). Melt paraffin wax in a double boiler or in the microwave until warm to the touch. Make sure the wax is not hot as it will damage your feet even more. Mix the wax with equal parts of mustard or coconut oil, and dip your heels into the mixture. Let the wax harden and dip again for a second layer. Wrap your feet in plastic foil and remove after 15 minutes.
Your feet will be soft and supple. The heat from the wax stimulates circulation and soothes sore and tired feet. Paraffin wax is a derivate of crude mineral oil and is colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Add some essential oils to your mixture to add a nice fragrance and extra benefits. Peppermint and eucalyptus work well for tired feet and myrrh, sandalwood, lavender, chamomile, sweet orange, rose, and geranium are well known to treat dry, cracked, and aging skin.
Rosewater And Vegetable Glycerine Treatment
Mix equal parts of rose water and vegetable glycerine and apply daily on your heels. Give your feet a good massage until the skin has absorbed the mixture. After 1 to 2 weeks, your feet will have their soft and smooth touch back.
ALSO READ: Rose Water Benefits: Cleopatra’s Little Secret!
Apple Cider Vinegar Paste
And of course, apple cider vinegar (ACV), the natural cure for almost everything, can help you to soothe and heal those cracked feet. Take 2-3 tablespoons of oatmeal (or baking soda, sugar, sea salt) and add ACV and honey until you got a nice, thick paste. Although sugar or salt makes a better scrub to remove dead skin cells, I prefer to use oatmeal for its soothing and hydrating effect. When your heels are in a really bad shape, add an extra moisturizing oil, like coconut, avocado, almond or jojoba. Soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes and gently scrub your feet with the paste to remove dead skin cells and moisturize and heal your feet.
ALSO READ: How to Make Your Own Apple Cider Vinegar
Are there other great all-natural remedies I’ve missed. Please share them with us in the comment box. Your feedback is much appreciated.
Thanks for reading. I hope this information was helpful. Until next time!
Amy Goodrich
Crazy cat lady, life and food lover, certified biologist, and holistic health coach.
