How To Prevent And Treat Cracked Heels

Your heels are as sensitive as your other body parts. You put a lot of pressure on them, and when it is too much, you’d feel the stabbing pain — it’s them saying they’re hurt.

If the pressure goes on, heels will expand sideways and crack.

Cracked heels are common foot problems, especially during summer months when you spend a lot of time standing, wearing just sandals and flip flops. Exposing them often and with lack of proper care, they get dry and calloused.

Usually, the problem with having cracked heels is their appearance – dry, red, and flaky or peeling. On top of that, it can get itchy and painful.

Most people, especially women, are embarrassed to have them.

If left untreated, cracks can get wors as they get deeper. It may also get infected. You would have to see your podiatrist right away especially if you are diabetic or someone with circulatory problems.

Ultimately, the best way to get rid of cracked heels is to prevent them.

Prevention Practices

  1. Exfoliate

Exfoliation of your feet is necessary against buildup of callouses. You may do it once a day, once a week or 2-3 times a week.

After your shower or a 10-minute footsoak in a basin of warm water, exfoliate by using a foot filer of choice – pumice stone or a fine sand paper. Do it gently so as not to split the skin even further.

  1. Moisturize

With a foot cream, better than a lotion, moisturize your feet every after scrubbing off of dead skins.

  1. Wear socks

After a shower, pat your feet with a soft towel until dry. Apply petroleum jelly then wear socks.

Locking them in improves healing. This is best done at night before going to sleep. Continue doing this until cracked heels have healed.

  1. Wear the right shoes

Pick shoes which keep your feet a bit off the ground, so dirt doesn’t get into any cracks. Most recommended are pair with thicker soles, with a bit of shock absorption and with arch support.

Treatment

Soothe and treat your cracked heels with simple home remedies. The following are just some of the many available natural treatments for heel and feet cracks.

Vegetable Oil

Wash your feet and pat dry with a soft towel.  Apply 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil on your cracked heels and other affected parts.

Then wear socks, leave overnight and wash the next morning. Do this once a day before going to bed.

Rice Flour
Make a thick paste with 2-3 tablespoons of ground rice, 1 teaspoon of honey and 3-4 drops of apple cider vinegar.

Before scrubbing the paste to your cracked heels, soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes for effective results.

You can add a teaspoon of olive oil or sweet almond oil if your heels are extremely dry and cracked. Apply this foot scrub twice a week.

Banana and Avocado
Blend an apple and a half of avocado fruit to make a thicky paste, then apply on your cracked heels and feet. Leave on for 20 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.

Another option is to put the banana pulp on the cracked parts, keep on for 10 minutes and rinse.

Both options can be done daily until cracks heal.

Oatmeal
Simply mix 1 tablespoon powdered oatmeal and 4-5 drops of olive oil.  Apply every other day the paste on cracked parts, leave on for 30 minutes, wash off with cold water and pat dry.

Listerine Mouthwash
Mix 1 cup listerine, 1 cup white vinegar and 2 cups water in a basin. Next, soak your feet for 10-15 minutes in the liquid mix.

After the time, remove your feet and scrub using the foot file or pumice stone to brush off the dry skin. Then wash, pat dry and moisturize.

Repeat everyday for 3-4 days.

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