Do you find yourself in a situation where you put on makeup, do hair at its best, dress well, smell good and then you realize your footwear doesn’t fit the outfit just because of Cracked Heels! Annoying, isn’t it? This read will help to find how to cure a cracked heel by using simple kitchen ingredients.

In medical terms, cracked heels are known as Fissures. It’s a pervasive foot condition.  Cracked heels usually do not cause a serious issue as the main cause is skin dryness. The only problem is appearance.

Heels withstand our body’s complete weight (Natural ways to reduce weight) and pressure. When the skin down there becomes dry (Home remedies for dry skin) and flaky it expands causing fissures or crack. But the good news is that treating cracked heels isn’t complicated.

Below are some best home remedies and the prevention tips of cracked heels that will amaze you.

What causes cracked heels?

The first sign of a cracked heel is dryness and thickened skin. It is mostly accompanied by flaky skin, itching, pain and inflammation. If you wish to know the answer to how to cure a cracked heel you must know the causes too. There are many other factors that affect cracked heels.

• Dry or cold weather
• Dry skin
• Age
• Prolonged hot showers
• Walking barefoot
• Obesity
• Standing for a longer period of time
• Harsh cosmetic soaps or abrasives
• Wearing open back footwears
• Friction
• Using footwears that don’t fit well

Apart from these, there are some medical causes that lead to cracked heels. They are –

• Diabetes
• Vitamin deficiency (Daily vitamin requirement)
• Psoriasis
• Keratoderma
• Fungal infection
• Dermatosis
• Hyperthyroid

How to get rid of cracked heels? Home remedies.

Exfoliation and moisturization will take you from the of how to cure a cracked heel to cured a cracked heel. These simple yet effective remedy work well.

Exfoliation:

The dead skin accumulation near the cracks must be removed for the heels to heal. This will also help the moisture to penetrate well in the skin.

Lime and sugar scrub:

Lime is a rich source of vitamin C (Immunity boosting foods) . It helps in collagen synthesis which keeps skin firm. Sugar acts as an exfoliator. Wash your feet with warm water. Take a slice of lemon. Dip it in sugar. Gently scrub it on the heels until the sugar melts on your skin or for about 3-5 minutes. Wash the skin. Pat dry. Apply honey and rest for 15 minutes. Wash clean.

Salt and water:

Soak your feet in warm salty water for 15 minutes. Later, scrub the feet with a scrubber or pumice stone.  Wash clean and dry. Apply petroleum jelly and wear socks. You can also add some apple cider vinegar (Benefits of apple cider vinegar) to the water for better results.

Oatmeal scrub:

Soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes. Mix oatmeal, honey, apple cider vinegar in a bowl.  Rub this on your feet for a few minutes. Let it rest for 10 minutes. Wash with normal water. Apply aloe vera.

Neem:

If you are facing some infection with a cracked heel this remedy is for you. Neem and turmeric have great antimicrobial, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Make a paste of neem powder and turmeric powder by adding some honey or coconut oil. Apply to the affected areas. Leave for 15-30 minutes. Wash well.

Moisturize:

As mentioned earlier, skin dryness is the major cause of cracked heels. Keeping your heel moisturized is of utmost importance. This helps by penetrating the skin and reducing the water losses. Thus, keeping the skin soft and supple.

Honey:

Honey has good antibacterial properties. Moreover, it heals the skin and acts as an emollient. Clean the heel. Pat dry. Apply honey. Massage well for 5 minutes. Rest it for 10-15 minutes. Wash with normal water.

Fats:

Coconut oil (Benefits of coconut oil), shea butter or olive oil are known to work best for dry skin. They work by providing and trapping moisture inside the skin. Plus, they have anti-inflammatory properties which keeps infections away from the skin.

Massage with any of the oil of your choice for about 5 minutes. Keep it overnight. Wear socks to lock in the moisture. Wash in the morning.

Paraffin wax:

This is a great remedy for cracked heels. It seals the moisture. Heat paraffin wax until it melts completely. Once warm, dip your foot into it. Coat 2 layers. Let it dry completely. Remove the layer and wipe off.

Banana mask:

Mash ripe banana. Add lemon juice to it. Apply it to your heels. Rest for 20 minutes. Wash clean. Apply aloe vera for hydration.

Tips to prevent cracked heels:

If your skin is dry and prone to cracked heels then you must follow these tips for foot care to avoid heel fissures in future.

• Wash your feet twice a day
• Avoid extreme hot or cold water
• Sidestep from harsh soap and cleansers
• Drink plenty of water
• Moisturize your heels immediately after washing
• Avoid harsh scrubbing
• Wear proper size footwear
• If possible, the use of flip flops should be minimized
• Do not wear skinny heel that will allow the skin to spread more
• Try not standing in one position for longer hours

Foods to add in your diet:

Vitamin deficiency can also be a reason for cracked heels. Include these foods in your diet to keep your feet soft and healed.

Vitamin C: Important in collagen synthesis. Citrus fruits, berries, lychees, papaya, watermelon, cherries, peppers, guava, kiwi, broccoli

Vitamin E: This vitamin protects skin from damage. Vegetables oils, cereals, wheat germ, Nuts, seeds

Zinc: Protects skin from UV damage. Shellfish, brown rice, legumes, seeds, nuts, yoghurt, eggs, potatoes, dark chocolate

Iron: Keeps skin healthy. Spinach, kale, broccoli, beans, beetroot, chickpeas, meat, pumpkin seed, quinoa

Calcium: Restore, heals wounds and preserve skin. cheese, milk, yoghurt, broccoli, figs, soybeans, salmon (How calcium helps the body)

Omega 3 fatty acids: Guards against dry skin. Fish, nuts, seeds, soybean oil, corn oil, avocado, olive (What is omega 3 fatty acid)

Vitamin B3: Helps in healing and moisture retention. Eggs, cereals, dark green vegetables, beans, fish, milk

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