Cracked heels or heel fissures may go unnoticed by people in the beginning when they form; oftentimes, people also ignore this particular health concern as it does not impact their daily lives right away. However, if left untreated for long, cracked heels can start to bleed, develop infections, and have other complications; this is especially true for people who have diabetes or peripheral vascular disease. Apart from this, cracked heels can also impact a person’s confidence.
In the severe cases of cracked heels, a patient is advised to consult a doctor; otherwise, there are some home remedies for cracked heels that they can try. Knowing the cause of cracked heels is also important, as it can help in prevention of the condition. Cracked heels are often caused by:
- Excessive dryness of the skin
- Numerous systemic diseases
- Backless shoe gears
Home Remedies for Cracked Heels
Moisturising their feet is the first thing a person with cracked heels usually tries; however, a thin coat of cold cream may not be enough. Before consulting a doctor, they can also try some of the most common cracked heels’ treatment at home that are listed below if they have a mild to moderate case of this condition:
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Petroleum jelly/moisturiser foot wrap
In some cases, applying a thick layer of petroleum jelly or a moisturiser with hydrating components, such as urea, glycerine, alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA), and/or salicylic acid, can be helpful. To use this cracked heel treatment at home, you can start by washing your feet with a mild soap, pat them dry, apply a generous amount of petroleum jelly or a moisturiser rich with the afore-mentioned ingredients, cover your feet in socks, and leave it overnight or a few hours.
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Exfoliation followed by moisturiser/mask
If the skin on your cracked heel has hardened over time, you can try soaking it up in warm salted/soapy water for a while and exfoliate it gently; remember to use a mild soap. You can use a loofah after soaking the feet for about 10 to 30 minutes and scrub it with that or use a sugar/salt and honey homemade scrub and use that instead. Honey has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, that can have a soothing effect on the skin and salt/sugar in the scrub will act as an abrasive agent to remove dead skin cells.
Always use a moisturiser or, better yet, a mask after exfoliating the skin, especially when dealing with cracked heels. Repeat this remedy once or twice a week. It is important to note that excessive exfoliation does not lead to faster healing and it may cause more harm than good.
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Banana peel foot mask
Banana peel is rich in potassium and can be an excellent moisturiser for the skin. You can use a banana peel in the following manner:
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- Rub the insides of the banana peel on your heel and leave it for 15 to 20 minutes before washing with plain water and pat dry. Repeat this twice a day until the heel recovers and then once a week to prevent cracking of the skin again.
- Wash the banana peel and blend it to make a paste; the paste can be stored in the fridge in an air-tight container. Apply this paste twice a day till the skin heels, wait for about 15 minutes before washing it with plain water and pat dry. You can reapply this paste once every week for preventive care till the paste lasts.
Preventing Cracked Heels
Once you have restored the soft and supple texture of the heel’s skin, ensuring proper care is equally important to prevent heel fissures from reappearing. Simply washing the feet, gently scrubbing them once in a while, and using a moisturiser or coconut oil will go a long way.
