11 Fast Natural Remedies For Cracked Heels & Prevention Tips

Cracked heels are ugly-looking and very upsetting as you might not be able to wear your favorite footwear. Dry air, lack of moisture and poor foot care are among top causes of cracked heels. Over the counter ointments and creams are used to heal cracked feet with fungus but normal cracked heels can be treated with simple home remedies by using some kitchen and natural products. If you have rough and hard floor then you are very likely to get cracks in your heels and foot fingers. One can use homemade creams which can be used to fill the cracked area and regenerate skin cells.

Some general skin ailments such as psoriasis, heel callus, corns, and eczema can contribute to the problem. While people suffering from thyroid can also have cracks in their feet. Using DIY creams, one can fix cracked heels without having to use medicines and sprays available at online store.
Cracked heels are also called as heel fissures and it does not causes any serious health issue. Consider these cracks as cosmetic problems as the formation of cracks in heels are due to poor feet maintenance and habit of not wearing shoes or sleepers inside house. On can treat cracked heels at home with simple remedies and they are very cheap (almost inexpensive).

Home Remedies To Heal Dry Cracked Heels

Here are top simple & natural home remedies for cracked heels

1. Coconut Oil

There is no need to buy expensive creams to cure cracked heels at home, you just need a bottle of organic coconut oil. Coconut oil is one of the best essential oil which is used to moisturize skin and improves feet condition(1). Organic coconut oil is power house of fatty acids which are extremely good for nourishing skin and rejuvenate dead cells. It fill cracks of feet and can give you soft and smooth feet.
How to use coconut oil on dry cracked heels

• You will need organic coconut oil and rose water.
• Mix 2 tablespoons of coconut oil with 2 teaspoons of rose water.
• Add 1 teaspoon of coconut water and mix this solution well.
• Apply it on your cracking heels and let it sit for 1-2 hours.
• Rinse with lukewarm water and apply thin layer or plain coconut oil as natural moisturizer.
• Repeat this remedy 2 times a day.
• Alternatively, you can rinse your dry heels with coconut water before going to bed.
• Apply the homemade solution every morning which we discussed, above.

2. Olive Oil

Loss of moisture from your feet is major reason behind having cracking heels. Olive oil best essential oil which will nourish and provide plenty of moisture to soothe dryness and roughness. It is an excellent source of Vitamin E, and Vitamin E is very essential for keeping your skin soft and smooth. Olive oil is effective home remedy and best lotion for cracked heels(2).

• Don’t use processed olive oil, get some extra virgin olive oil.
• Take 1 tablespoon of olive oil and mix 1 teaspoon of warm coconut oil.
• Stir well to mix them properly.
• Apply a thin layer on your feet and affected area.
• Keep this for 1-2 hours and then rinse with lukewarm water.
• Moisturize as usual and repeat this treatment 2 times a day.
• If possible, apply olive oil on soles and affected area
• Leave it overnight for moisturizing skin properly.

3. Glycerin & Rosewater

Glycerin when combined with rose water is used as home remedy for dry cracked heels. Rosewater has soothing effect on cells and promote rejuvenation of them. Glycerin soften hard soles and reduce the depth of crack and size.
Rosewater has additional benefits such as antioxidant nature and proven to be anti-inflammatory agent. These both elements medicinal values add another layer of treatment in reducing cracked heels bleeding and inflammation. Plus rosewater also provide benefits of Vitamin A, B3 and E(3).

• Mix 2 tablespoon of glycerin and rosewater.
• Rinse your feet and soles thoroughly.
• Apply this solution in liberal amount on affected area.
• Keep it overnight and let it seal the cracks which formed in feet.
• Do this daily before going to bed.
• Make sure to wash your feet before applying this treatment.

4. Fruit Mask

Fruits contains vitamins and enzymes which can soften and make cracked heels smoother.  These enzymes eat away dry skin and keep healthy tissues intact and promote fast healing. These feet mask can reduce dryness and rough tone of feet and gives you a soothing and soft feet.
To make this homemade foot cream/mask you will need avocado, banana, and coconut. These fruits are power house of mineral, vitamins and fatty acids which are natural moisturizer(4,5).
How to make:

• Take 2 ripe banana, 3 tablespoons of coconut meat, and half avocado.
• Put them in a blender and blend for 5-10 minutes (or until you get smooth textured cream).
• Apply a thin layer of this foot cream on cracking heels.
• Keep it for 2 hours and avoid walking.
• Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
• Repeat this At-home treatment twice to heal faster.
• Keep the remaining fruit mask in an airtight jar for future use.
• Note: If you can not find coconut white meat then use 1 tablespoon of coconut oil.

5. Lemon for Cracked Heels Fungus

Heels cracking common side-effect is aching feet, due to the condition people find it hard to walk. Open cracks often bleed and becomes breeding ground for fungus which might make things worse and painful. Lemon is anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic by nature and this can help you heal faster by treating fungal infection.
Lemon juice also holds vitamin C and minerals which are used to treat dry and patchy skin. It soften skin and exfoliated dead cells(6).

• Before using this home remedy wash your soles and feet thoroughly so that dirt and other elements are washed out.
• Extract juice from 2 lemons and mix 1 teaspoon of rose water.
• Apply this DIY solution on affected area.
• Keep this on affected area for 1 hour.
• Rinse with lukewarm water and moisturize as always.
• Repeat this method of therapy twice a day.
• To increase healing speed try adding glycerin with lemon and rosewater.
• Make sure you don’t touch your soles more often.
• If you have open and bleeding heels try not to scratch or irritate wounds.

6. Rice Flour To Heal Cracked Heels

Removing dead skin cells(Exfoliating) from your soles and heels can be done using rice flour. Rice flour home treatment focuses on cleansing the affected area from accumulation of dead cells. Removal of such hard skins will improve absorption of enzymes and vitamins which will increasing healing speed.
Rice flour is used to neutralizer the skin of heels which promote new cell growth(7). It fills the crack and make them smooth and soft.
How to exfoliated dry cracked heels

• Put half cup of ground rice in a bowl.
• Add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and liberal amount or rose water.
• Mix it well and add water (if required) to make thick paste.
• Soak your feet in lukewarm water for 5 minutes.
• Apply this homemade scrub on affected area and gently scrub out dry and hard skin.
• Use this homemade exfoliating scrub daily or fast healing.
• If your soles are bleeding repeat the process 2 times a day along with antibiotics.

7. Banana Lotion for Cracked Heels

Cracking and rupturing of skin is caused due to loss of moisture and lack of oil production in skin. Banana can be the best thing for cracked heels due to its moisturizing abilities. A lotion made out of ripe banana will restore the oil production inside heels and nourishes your skin.
It prevent dryness and flaking of soles due to poor personal hygiene. Banana is among the cheapest home remedy you can find as you might have it in dozens at your home.

How to make lotion:

• Squash 3 ripe banana to make a thick paste/cream.
• Take a warm water tub, add this paste and stir well.
• Soak your feet for 5 minutes then rinse with plain water.
• You can also apply banana paste on affected area.
• Keep it for 30 minutes then wash it off.
• Repeat the process daily before going to bed and let it work overnight.

8. Oatmeal Remedy

Oatmeal is among the best remedies for dry feet and cracked heels. It has anti-inflammatory properties which will reduce swelling of soles caused due to heels cracking. Oatmeal is also popular for its nourishing and exfoliating properties which help remove dead cells and soften heels. You can make scrubs and lotions using ground oatmeal which help improve recovery time and bleeding.
How to use:

• You will need virgin olive oil and ground oatmeal (powdered form).
• Mix 3 tablespoons of oatmeal and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
• Make a thick paste and adjust the quantity of ingredient if required.
• Fill cracks with this paste and let it be there for 1 hour.
• Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
• Alternatively, you can make homemade scrub with oatmeal to remove hard skin from sole.
• Crush 3 tablespoon of normal oatmeal and mix 2 tablespoons of rose water.
• Use this homemade scrub and remove hard dead skin cells.
• Repeat the process 2-3 times a week for best results.

9. Honey for Dry Cracked Heels

Split heels often causes bleeding, pain and accumulate dry dead skin cells. Honey is an excellent natural remedy for cracked heels due to its medicinal benefits. It is natural anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and antiseptic which makes it best open wound alternative medicine(8).
Honey is popular for its ability to treat acne and skin moisturizing abilities. It prevent splitting of sole and improves oil production to stop flaking of skin.
How to use:

• Soak your feet in warm water and scrub gently.
• Apply pure raw and unfiltered honey on affected area.
• Let it sit for 1 hour and wipe off using warm water.
• Alternatively, mix half cup of honey in one tub of warm water.
• Stir well and soak your feet in this solution for 15 minutes.
• Rinse with plain water and pat dry.
• Moisturize as usual with some vegetable oils.
• Repeat this home treatment few times a week.

10. Paraffin Wax Therapy

Paraffin wax works as natural emollient to soften your skin and can be said as one of the best remedy for cracked heels(9). It soothe flaking and dry heels by reducing vaporization of natural oils. It helps in controlling the pain caused by bleeding split heels.
Paraffin wax can bought from general store or can be easily found from online herbal stores. To make lotion or remedy you will need a carrier oil such as coconut oil or mustard oil.
How to make:

• Put one block of paraffin wax in double boiler.
• Melt the wax and add one tablespoon of coconut or mustard oil.
• Stir well to mix the wax with oil.
• Apply it directly over affected area and also fill the cracks.
• Keep it for 1-2 hours then rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
• Use any vegetable oil to moisturize as always.
• Repeat this process few times a week for softer feet.

11. Homemade Foot Cream for Cracked Heels

Creams are one of the easiest application, they are easy to use and can be stored easily in any container. Instead of going for some over the counter cream for cracked heels, why don’t you make it at home. To do so, you will need, olive oil, avocado fruit, coconut essential oil, and rose water.
How to make cream

• Take 1 fresh avocado and blend it to make thick paste.
• Mix 3 tablespoons of olive and coconut oil.
• Add avocado paste and whisk until you make a smooth cream.
• Mix 2 tablespoons of rose-water and stir well.
• Rinse your heel cracks with lukewarm water and pat dry.
• Apply this soothing cream on cracks and let it sit for 2 hours.
• Wash it off wish water and moisturize using plain virgin olive oil.
• Keep the remaining foot cream in airtight jar for future use.
• Repeat this process daily before going to bed for best results.

Answer’s To FAQ by Reader’s

Q1. Why are my heels cracking

A: The reason behind your heel cracks is you and loss of moisture from your feet. Why you? because people with poor foot hygiene are the frequent victims.

• Another reason behind your dry and cracked heels are seasonal change. The problem of cracking heels are mostly seen during winters. It is because winters are rough and dry they tend to make your skin dry.
• Not wearing slippers while walking inside house can also contribute to cracked feet.
• No oil glands are present in the skin of your feet hence lack of care can lead to bleeding.
• Long hours of walking and standing on rough floors.
• Health conditions hormonal imbalance, psoriasis, and Eczema.

Q2. What are the symptoms of Cracked Heels

A: Common Symptoms are:

• Hardness around heel area, and black color cracks.
• Ridges in skin generally of black color.
• Itchiness and flaking of skin.
• Fluid discharge due to fungal infection in cracks.
• Bleeding from the cracks of heel.
• Skin peeling and formation of dead cells.

Q3. Can Diabetes Causes Cracked Heels

A: Yes Diabetes is among the major causes:

• Diabetes causes imbalance of blood sugar and it promote dry skins.
• As your base of the feet don’t produce oils they are more vulnerable to dryness than other parts of the body.
• Thick dry skin on heels are prone do develop heel fissures if not taken care properly.
• Controlling diabetes with home remedies can help you cure cracked heels.
• You must treat diabetes as it will be hard for diabetic people to fight back fungal infection.
• It become tough for your immune system to fight back with fungus.

Q4. How much time it will take to cure cracked heels

A: It depends upon the condition of heel cracks:

• Severely cracked heels which gives you lot of pain and bleeding can take up-to 6-8 weeks for full recovery.
• Normal Cracked heel repair can take up-to 3-4 weeks.
• You must use homemade lotions on dry heels to fasten healing speed.
• Diy homemade creams using fruits as ingredient are great ways to speed up the healing process.

Q5. Tips on How to prevent Cracked Heels

A:  What causes cracked heels is among the most common questions asked by people with dry heels. Winter season is very cruel for skin as it sucks out moisture and heels cracking are common in winter. Hence make sure you practice certain guidelines to prevent dry skin and cracked feet.

• Apply some lotion on heels before going to bed everyday.
• Don’t scrub it unnecessarily or you might end up bleeding.
• Eat fruits and vegetable to fill your body with fatty acids.
• Apply vegetable oils as natural moisturizer before going to bed.
• Shea butter can be used as ointment cream for cracked heels. It improves moisture level in feet and prevent dry skin.

So now you know the best ways how to get rid of cracked heels fast. There are various creams and lotions available over the counter which will have extracts of fruits and vegetables. If splits are big and causing you lots of pain and bleeding then consult a doctor. Otherwise use multiple natural home remedies on heel cracks to make them smooth and soft.

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