Cracked heels cause a lot of pain. They split open and bleed. Cracked heels are a common problem. It is embarrassing. Don’t you worry about those cracks? Can you avoid your cracked heels?
You have all the answers in this article. So, relax and get ready to heal your cracks.The problem is worst in cold weather. But more often, it is your negligence that causes cracked heels. You need to take care of your feet. Some women often use nail clippers to cut off the skin.
Cracked heels are often due to lack of moisture. You can cure them using home remedies. Not only cure, but you can adopt some home remedies to even prevent your heels to crack.
Here is the complete guide for ‘How to get rid of cracked feet?’
Table of Contents
Home Remedies To Heal Cracked Heels
1. Exfoliate Your Feet
Exfoliation helps in removing the dead skin from your feet. It will help you to get rid of dry and cracked feet.
What All You Need?
- Pumice stone,
- Moisturizer or a foot cream,
- A pair of cotton socks.
What To Do?
- Soak your feet in warm water for 15-20 minutes.
- Scrub off the dead skin with the pumice stone.
- Rinse off your feet and apply a foot cream or moisturizer. You can apply Vaseline also.
- Wear a pair of cotton socks overnight.
- Pat dry your feet with a soft and clean towel.
How Often Can You Do This?
You can do this remedy daily before going to bed until you get soft and smooth feet.
2. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is one of the best home remedies to treat dry, cracked heels. It also prevents microbial infections because it has anti-microbial properties. Coconut oil nourishes your skin and provides moisture.
What All You Need?
- 2 tbsp. of coconut oil,
- A pair of clean socks
What To Do?
- Soak your feet in lukewarm water for 15-20 minutes and pat dry.
- Apply coconut oil to your feet.
- Wear a pair of clean socks overnight.
How Often Can You Do This?
Repeat this daily before going to bed till you get the soft and smooth skin.
3. Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil contains hydrogenated fats. It nourishes and moisturizes your skin. You can cure your cracked heels with vegetable oil.
What All You Need?
- 2 tsp. of vegetable oil,
- A pair of clean socks
What To Do?
- Soak your feet in water for few minutes and pat dry.
- Apply vegetable oil over the cracked feet.
- Put on a pair of socks and leave it overnight.
How Often Can You Do This?
Do this daily before going to bed.
4. Banana And Avocado Mask
The banana provides moisture. Avocados contain fats, essential oils, and vitamins that provide nourishment to your skin. They together cure your cracked feet.
What All You Need?
- 1 ripe banana,
- Half an avocado
What To Do?
- Blend a ripe banana and half an avocado to make a thick paste.
- Apply this paste to your cracked feet.
- Leave it for 15-20 minutes and then wash off with warm water.
How Often Can You Do This?
You should do this daily till you get soft feet.
5. Vaseline And Lemon Juice
Lemon has acidic properties. Vaseline works as a moisturizer. The mixture of both will help you to get rid of your cracked heels.
What All You Need?
- 1 tsp. of Vaseline,
- 5-6 drops of lemon juice,
- A pair of clean socks.
What To Do?
- Soak your feet in lukewarm water for 15-20 minutes.
- Rinse off and pat dry with a soft towel.
- Add 5-6 drops of lemon juice in 1 tsp. of Vaseline.
- Rub the mixture over your feet for few minutes.
- Put on a pair of clean socks and leave it overnight.
How Often Can You Do This?
Do this daily before going to bed.
6. Paraffin Wax And Olive Oil
Paraffin wax works to soften your feet. Olive oil provides nourishment to your skin. It is a good treatment for your painful deep cracks.
What All You Need?
- 3 tbsp. of paraffin wax,
- 5-6 drops of olive oil or mustard oil.
What To Do?
- Heat the paraffin wax till it melts. Add 5-6 drops of olive oil or mustard oil to make a thick paste.
- Let it cool down.
- Fill your cracks with the paste and wear a pair of socks overnight.
How Often Can You Do This?
Do this daily before going to bed.
It has one more advantage. You can store the paste and use it as a cream.
7. Honey
Honey has antiseptic properties. It helps in healing cracked feet and makes them soften.
What All You Need?
- 1 cup honey,
- 2 tbsp. of sugar
- Mix 2 tbsp. of sugar in 1 cup of honey.
What To Do?
- Rub this mixture on your feet.
- Gently scrub off and rinse with lukewarm water.
How Often Can You Do This?
Repeat this remedy daily before going to bed.
8. Rice Flour And Honey Foot Mask
Rice flour works to exfoliate your skin. It helps in removing the dead skin. It makes your feet soft. It will help you in getting rid of cracked and dry heels. Honey will provide moisture to your skin.
What All You Need?
- 2 tbsp. of rice flour,
- 1 tbsp. of honey,
- 3-4 drops of apple cider vinegar.
What To Do?
- Soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes.
- Mix 1 tbsp. of honey and few drops of vinegar in 2 tbsp. of rice flour.
- Gently scrub off your dead skin using this paste.
- Wash off with lukewarm water.
How Often Can You Do This?
Repeat this twice a week to get soft and smooth feet.
9. Olive Oil
Olive oil works magic as a healer. It nourishes your skin and makes it soft. You can get rid of cracked feet easily by using this remedy.
What All You Need?
- 1 tbsp. olive oil,
- A pair of clean socks.
What To Do?
- Massage with olive oil over your cracked feet.
- Slip in a pair of clean socks and leave it overnight.
How Often Can You Do This?
Repeat this remedy daily before going to bed.
10. Sesame Oil
Sesame oil nourishes and moisturizes your skin. It helps you get soft feet.
What All You Need?
- 4-5 drops of sesame oil
What To Do?
- Apply sesame oil to your cracked feet.
- Massage your feet with sesame oil.
- Put on a pair of socks and leave it overnight.
How Often Can You Do This?
Do this remedy daily before going to bed.
11. Baking Soda
Baking soda works as an exfoliant. It has anti-inflammatory properties. It will cure your dry and cracked heels.
What All You Need?
- 3 tbsp. baking soda,
- Half the bucket filled with water,
- Pumice stone.
What To Do?
- Mix baking soda with water.
- Soak your feet in that mixture for 10-15 minutes.
- Scrub your feet gently with a pumice stone.
- Wash off with lukewarm water.
How Often Can You Do This?
You should do this twice a week.
12. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a well-known home remedy for cracked heels and other problems. Aloe Vera makes your skin soft. It helps in removing dead and dry skin. Aloe Vera also enhances your collagen synthesis which soothes your skin. It contains amino acids that soften your feet.
What All You Need?
- Aloe Vera gel/ you can squeeze Aloe Vera gel from Aloe Vera leaves
What To Do?
- Soak your feet in warm water for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse off your feet and pat dry using a clean towel.
- Apply Aloe Vera gel generously over your feet.
- Put on a pair of clean socks and leave it overnight.
How Often Can You Do This?
Repeat this remedy daily and you can see results within a week.
13. Glycerin
Glycerin moisturizes your skin. It helps in curing dry and cracked heels.
What All You Need?
- 1 tbsp. of glycerin,
- 1 tbsp. of lemon juice.
What To Do?
- Add 1 tbsp. of lemon juice to 1 tbsp. of glycerin.
- Apply it for 20 minutes and then wash off with warm water.
How Often Can You Do This?
You must do this daily. It is better to do before going to bed.
14. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has acidic properties. It softens your dead and dry skin.
What All You Need?
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
What To Do?
- Mix 1 cup vinegar with warm water.
- Scrub off the dead skin using the mixture for few minutes.
How Often Can You Do This?
Follow this 3 times a week.
15. Oatmeal
Oatmeal moisturizes your feet. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help in softening the skin.
What All You Need?
- 1 tbsp. powdered oatmeal,
- Few drops of olive oil.
What To Do?
- Add few drops of olive oil to the powdered oatmeal to make a thick paste.
- Apply the paste to your feet.
- Wash off with warm water after half an hour.
How Often Can You Do This?
You should do this every alternate day.
16. Milk
Milk is rich in vitamin A. It works as an exfoliant. Sugar helps in getting rid of dead skin. Coconut oil nourishes your skin.
What All You Need?
- 1 cup of milk,
- 3-4 tsp. of sugar,
- 1/2 cup of coconut oil,
- A bucket filled with lukewarm water
What To Do?
- Add 1 cup of milk to the bucket filled with water.
- Soak your feet in this for 10-15 minutes and pat dry using a clean towel.
- Mix 3-4 tsp. of sugar in 1/2 cup of coconut oil to make a paste.
- Rub this paste over your cracked feet for 10 minutes.
- Wash off with lukewarm water and pat dry.
How Often Can You Do This?
You must do this for 3-4 months daily before going to bed.
17. Turmeric
Turmeric is a well-known home remedy for cracked heels. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Turmeric cures your cracked feet.
What All You Need?
- 3-4 tbsp. of turmeric powder,
- 3-4 drops of coconut oil.
What To Do?
- Add 3-4 drops of coconut oil to turmeric powder.
- Apply the paste to your cracked heels and leave it for 20 minutes.
- Wash off with warm water and pat dry.
How Often Can You Do This?
You should do this daily before going to bed.
18. Parsley
Parsley is a well-known herb to cure cracked feet. It contains vitamin C and vitamin K. Both the vitamins help in healing your cracked heels. Parsley makes your feet smoother.
What All You Need?
- 10-12 parsley springs,
- A foot basin filled with water
What To Do?
- Mix parsley spring in water.
- Soak your feet in this for 25-30 minutes.
- Rinse off and pat dry.
How Often Can You Do This?
You should do this daily before going to bed.
19. Shea Butter
Shea butter provides moisture to your body. It contains nutrients and fats that make your skin smooth.
What All You Need?
- 2-3 tbsp. of Shea butter,
- A pair of socks.
What To Do?
- Wash your feet and pat dry.
- Apply Shea butter to your feet and massage with it for few minutes.
- Put on a pair of socks and leave it overnight.
How Often Can You Do This?
You can do this daily before bedtime.
20. Patchouli Essential Oil
Patchouli essential oil has cicatrisant and cytophylactic properties. These properties help your skin to heal quickly. It nourishes your skin and is a good treatment for your cracked heels.
What All You Need?
- 3-4 drops of patchouli essential oil
- 4 drops of lavender oil
- 3-4 drops of tea tree oil
- 2-3 drops of rose essential oil
- Half a bucket filled with lukewarm water
What To Do?
- Mix all the oils in water.
- Soak your feet for 25-30 minutes.
- Rinse off and pat dry.
How Often Can You Do This?
Do this daily before going to bed.
21. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt has anti-inflammatory properties which help in healing your cracked feet. It works as an exfoliant and removes the dead skin.
What All You Need?
- ½ bucket of warm water,
- ½ cup of Epsom salt
What To Do?
- Mix the salt with water in a foot basin.
- Soak your feet for 15-20 minutes.
- Scrub well and then rinse off with warm water.
How Often Can You Do This?
Repeat this daily before going to bed.
22. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil works as an antiseptic agent. It helps in removing the dead skin. It makes your skin smooth as it provides moisture to your skin.
What All You Need?
- 4-5 drops of tea tree oil,
- 1-2 tbsp. of olive oil/coconut oil,
- A pair of socks
What To Do?
- Add olive oil/coconut oil to tea tree oil.
- Apply the mixture to your cracked feet.
- Wear a pair of socks and leave it overnight.
How Often Can You Do This?
Do this daily before going to bed to get soft and smooth feet.
How To Prevent Cracked Heels?
A common saying is that ‘Prevention is better than cure’. It is better if you try to prevent your heels to crack. If you naturally have cracked heels, avoid wearing heels. Wear comfortable footwear whenever possible. Here are some preventive measures you can follow to prevent cracked heels
- Avoid standing for too long.
- Always apply a foot cream or moisturizer to your feet before going to bed.
- Check for the signs of cracked feet.
- Wear clean and good quality socks.
- Drink enough water to hydrate your body.
- Gently scrub with a pumice stone once daily. It will prevent the thickening of the skin.
- Don’t remove calluses if you have diabetes. It can increase the chances of infection.
- Never use nail clippers to cut off the skin. It can also cause infection and severe complications.
Why Do Heels Crack?
There are various reasons that can cause cracked heels. We often look at through one aspect that is due to winters. But, some people may face this problem the whole year. The fact is that this condition worsens in the winters.
Causes Of Cracked Heels
1. Dry Skin
The major cause is dry skin. Cracked feet are the result of lack of moisture. When you don’t apply any cream or moisturizer, your skin gets dry and rough.
2. Obesity
Being overweight also causes cracked feet. You can have cracked feet often due to extra weight. The extra weight makes your feet suffer due to more pressure on them. You must start weight loss programme to prevent your heels to crack.
3. Harsh Soaps
Soaps that lack moisture can cause cracked feet. Harsh soaps make your skin dry.
4. Standing For Too Long
Standing for long hours also causes cracked feet. Some jobs demand standing or sitting in one position. You need to take extra care of your feet if your job demands that.
5. Barefoot
If you walk barefoot, it can also cause cracked heels.
6. Shoe Size
Too tight shoes also cause cracked feet.
7. Dehydration
If you don’t drink enough water, it dehydrates your body. This leads to cracked heels due to lack of moisture.
8. Diabetes
If you have diabetes, you can suffer from cracked heels. Some other diseases such as eczema and psoriasis can also cause this.
9. Taking Showers For Too Long
You can have cracked heels if you expose yourself to water for long hours. It results in dry skin and causes cracked feet.
10. Harsh Weather Conditions
It is one of the common causes in most of the women. The low moisture and humidity level in cold weather cause your heels to crack.
12. Age
Your body starts to lose moisture as you get older. The skin starts to dry. You cannot avoid getting older. But, you can take care of your feet with the remedies given in this article. It will help you to maintain soft and smooth feet.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Dry, Cracked Heels?
1. Dry Skin
The first sign of cracked heels is the rough and dry skin. It is the time when you don’t have cracks. Treat your heels when you notice the rough skin around the edge of your heels. You can prevent the condition to get worse.
2. Peeling Skin-
It is also an early stage of cracked heels. When you notice peeling skin, you should start treating that area. It will prevent cracks to appear. You can get rid of this problem. After the appearance of cracks, it will take a little time to cure.
3. Cracks-
You will notice cracks formation under your feet. You must start treating your heels now.
4. Itching
Cracks in your skin causes itching. The skin on the top of your feet gets rough. You should treat it before other symptoms appear.
5. Red And Flaky Skin
Red and flaky skin appears. It is high time you should start treating your feet.
6. Rashes
Rashes can develop due to itching on your feet.
7. Deep Cracks
Formation of thick and discolored deep cracks occur. The deep cracks can split open and start bleeding. It becomes painful. This is the time when you cannot avoid your feet.
It becomes very difficult to treat those deep cracks. But, you can cure it with a regular treatment.
What Can Be The Complications Due To Cracked Heels?
You can suffer from severe complications associated with cracked heels. If you neglect your mild cracked feet, it can lead to severe complications. It is necessary to treat those cracks as soon as possible. It becomes painful when deep cracks start appearing. Other complications are-
- Difficulty In Walking Or Running
- Infections Such As Cellulitis
- You Cannot Stand For Too Long.
- Burning Sensation
Severely Cracked Heels And Hypothyroidism
Cracked heels are correlated with Hypothyroidism. You can have cracked heels if you are suffering from hypothyroidism. The thyroid hormone deficiency causes rough, dry and peeling heels. It is important to consult your doctor when none of the treatments work for your cracked heels.
Cracked heels can also make you suffer from diseases such as Psoriasis and cracked bleeding heels. In Psoriasis, red patches appear on the skin. You may develop irritated skin later.
When you don’t start treating your feet as soon as you notice cracks in them, the condition worsens. You may suffer from cracked bleeding heels later on. You can prevent yourself from that condition if you follow the given tips to avoid these problems.
Tips To Prevent Psoriasis
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Always wear good quality and comfortable shoes.
- Try to prevent yourself from injuries.
- Soak your feet for 25-30 minutes and apply a moisturizer or a foot cream. Do this twice a day.
- You should do a pedicure at home and maintain healthy feet.
Tips To Prevent Cracked Bleeding Heels
- Drink enough water to keep your skin hydrated.
- Soak your feet in warm water and apply a moisturizer or a foot cream.
- You can use coconut oil/olive oil for moisturizing.
- Avoid exposure of your feet to water for long hours.
FAQ’s
1. Does Diabetes Cause Cracked Heels?
Yes, Diabetes causes cracked heels. The skin on your feet becomes dry and rough. In diabetes, the blood sugar level changes. It damages the nerve cells of your feet that leads to dry skin.
2. How Long Will It Take To Cure Cracked Heels?
If you have mild cracked heels, it will take a maximum of 14 days when they start healing. But, if you have severely cracked heels it can take a longer time.
3. Why Do Only Heels Crack But No Other Parts Of The Foot?
Oil glands are absent on the skin of your feet. That is why they are dry. Activities such as standing for too long, wearing heels too often, being overweight increase the pressure on your feet. Your body weight is borne by your feet.
As the heels are usually dry and thick, they tend to crack easily. The middle part of your feet is hollow and it does not come in contact with the floor. This is because it remains soft and secured.
4. What Is The Best Cure To Treat Cracked Heels?
Any above home remedy will be a good treatment for your cracked heels. You can also use crack healing cream but before that consult with your doctor. If cracked heels are due to a medical problem, the most effective treatment is curing the disease.
5. What Things Can We Do To Ensure That We Don’t Suffer From Cracked Heels In Future?
You must keep your skin hydrated. Ensure that you drink plenty of water and use a good moisturizer always. Never let your feet become dry or rough.
Bottom Line
With these home remedies, you can cure your cracked feet. But the most important part is giving regular care and attention towards your feet.
You must use moisturizer daily to maintain soft and smooth feet. You can also get oil massages. There are medical conditions which cause cracked heels.
In that case, treating the medical problem is the most effective remedy. Do you not want your feet to look beautiful? Try these remedies and tips to prevent cracked heels and get beautiful feet. Feel free to comment below if these remedies help you.
