Cracked Heels
Running barefoot in the sand, shunning shoes, or feeling the grass between your toes is bliss.
But take a look at your feet. Oh no!
Dry and rough skin on the heels of the feet, also known as heel fissures or cracked heels, cause pain and discomfort. Cracked heels are a common problem that can affect people of all ages. Dry skin on the feet can vary from mild, unsightly dryness to severe cases where the skin becomes deeply cracked and bleeds.
There are several causes of cracked heels:
- Dry Skin/Lack of Moisture: When your skin lacks moisture, it can worsen dryness. Dehydrated skin loses its elasticity and becomes more likely to crack on the heels because the skin is thicker.
- Standing for Long Periods: Standing or walking can lead to cracked heels from pressure and friction on your feet.
- Skin Exposure: Open-back shoes like sandals can cause dry and cracked heels from skin exposure to the elements.
- Climate: Skin can lose moisture in dry climates and cold temperatures, causing cracked heels.
- Age: As people age, their skin's capacity to hold onto moisture and elasticity may diminish, resulting in a higher likelihood of experiencing dryness and cracking.
- Poor Circulation: Poor blood circulation can cause cracked heels, slow wound healing, and weaken toenails. Poor circulation can indicate other medical issues, so you should also check with a doctor.
- Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions such as diabetes, eczema, psoriasis, and thyroid disorders can impact skin health and cause people to develop cracked heels.
- Improper Foot Care: Failing to maintain proper foot care habits, like neglecting to moisturize regularly or skipping exfoliation to remove dead skin, can lead to the formation of cracked heels.
Home Remedies and Natural Cures for Cracked Heels
Good foot care can keep your feet healthy and eliminate dryness, rough skin, and cracking of the skin in the heel area.
Routine Foot Care
Repeat this foot care routine as necessary for healthy, beautiful skin on the heels.
- Fill a foot-sized container with warm water.
- Add a few tablespoons of Epsom salt and 3-4 drops of your favorite essential oil.
- Soak your feet for about 30 minutes.
- Place your foot on a towel in your lap and gently scrub your heels with a foot rasp or pumice stone to remove dead skin.
- Dry your feet thoroughly.
- Apply a thick moisturizer or petroleum jelly.
- Put on clean cotton socks to lock in the moisture overnight.
Exfoliation
If your heels are in bad shape, get a pumice stone or a suitable foot file or rasp and gently use it on your feet to remove as much of the dry skin as possible.
Soften the skin first by soaking your feet in warm Epsom salt water, and dry them carefully before using the rasp. Use a heavy moisturizing lotion after treatment. Proceed gently and don't over-scrub at the heels at one time to avoid causing injury. Do a treatment once a day until you have the skin looking great.
Sugar or Salt Scrub
- Take a clean, dry jar.
- Fill 3/4 full of plain, granulated white sugar or salt.
- Add enough plain mineral oil or baby oil to cover.
- Mix ingredients, and put the lid on.
Store this in your bathroom, and every time you take a nice, long soak in the tub before you get out, use this homemade scrub on your arms, elbows, knees, hands, and cracked, dry heels.
Foot Moisturizer
Apply a rich moisturizer or foot cream to hydrate the skin and prevent dryness.
Over-the-counter (OTC) products address the thick skin on the heels. They most often contain urea, a chemical made by the breakdown of ammonia and water, salicylic acid, a mild acid to help dissolve dry skin, and petroleum jelly, as the carrier for the active ingredients and used as an intense skin moisturizer. These products work quickly and help remove excess skin on the foot, including corns and calluses.
Glycerin and Rosewater
Milder solutions commonly containing ingredients like beeswax, emu oil, glycerine, and rosewater are an excellent option if you prefer something more gentle to soften and get rid of cracked heels.
Coconut Oil
Right before bed, grab a scoop of coconut oil and warm it in your hands to liquify. Rub the oil on your cracked heels and foot and massage in. Put on socks and leave them on overnight to help soften and heal your skin. You can try this remedy for several days.
Wear Properly Fitting Shoes
Perhaps easier said than done, but look for shoes that provide good support and cushioning on your foot and don't put pressure on your heels.
Cautions
If your cracked heels are severe, painful, or do not improve with home remedies, consult a dermatologist or a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
