Home remedies for cracked heels

Winter is here, if you neglect to take care of yourself properly you may face certain problems like cracked heels, chapped lips and dry skin etc; cracked heels are painful and make your feet look ugly. So it is essential to pay proper attention and take care of your feet properly like rest of your body. 

Some of the causes of cracked heels are dry air, lack of moisture, improper foot care, an unhealthy diet and wearing the wrong types of shoes. Cracked heels are a very common problem and can range in severity from a cosmetic issue to a painful problem. Taking proper precautions right away can prevent cracks from getting deeper and causing bleeding and pain. 

Here are some effective home remedies for cracked heels that can help you resolve the problem and avoid the pain.

1) Properly balance your diet

Cracked heels are caused by deficiency of vitamins, minerals, zinc and omega 3 fatty acids. Therefore it is essential to have a diet rich in vitamins, minerals and zinc and Omega-3 fatty acids. So eat a lots of green vegs, cereals, whole grains, nuts, Low fat dairy products, broccoli, salmon, lean meat, kidney beans, chicken and eggs etc. try to cook your food using olive oil or flaxseed oil.  

2) Lemon, salt, glycerin, rose water foot mask

This is one of the best home remedies for preventing cracked heels as well as to cure cracked heels at the very first stage. 

Add some raw salt, lemon juice, glycerin and rose water in a large bucket of warm water. Soak your cracked feet in this warm water for about 10-15 minutes. Scrub off your heels with the help of scrubber or pumice stone. 

Now take 1 tsp of undiluted glycerin, add a tsp rose water and 1 tsp lemon juice and mix well. Apply this thick paste to your cracked heels. This might feel a little sticky, wear a pair of socks and go to bed. Wash off in the morning. Repeat for a few days to get rid of the cracked heels.

3) Vegetable oil massage
Oil massage is again a very good and easy home remedy for cracked heels and even for dry feet that get cracked very easily. First scrub your heels and wash off, use sesame oil, coconut oil or any other hydrogenated vegetable oil to massage your feet before going to bed. 

Wear a pair of socks (better if old because you might not be able to use them afterwards) and go to bed. Follow this schedule for 3-5 days to cure your cracked heels.

4) Exfoliate
If you have the tendency of getting cracked heels due to the dry skin very often, regularly exfoliate your feet. Avoid harsh cosmetics exfoliaters. Instead make natural exfoliating scrub with honey, apple cider vinegar, and rice flour. 

Take a handful of coarse ground rice, add a few spoons of honey and apple cider vinegar mix well to make a thick paste. If your heel cracks are very deep, add a spoon of olive oil or sweet almond oil. 

Soak your feet for about twenty minutes in warm water and then gently massage with this paste to get one of the best natural cracked heel treatment that will also prevent further cracking.

5) Neem paste

Indian lilac, also known as neem, is very effective in treating cracked heels. Crush a handful of neem leaves to make a fine paste and add three teaspoons of turmeric powder and mix it well. Apply the paste on the cracks and leave it on for half an hour. Wash your feet with warm water and dry them with a clean cloth.

6) Home made cream
Soak you feet in warm water for 15-20 minutes, clean and remove out the dirt, rinse and pat dry your feet. Take a teaspoon lemon juice mix with enough Vaseline and rub the mixture nicely till it gets absorbed in the skin. Trap heat by wearing woolen socks to increase the effects and wash of in the morning. Repeat for 3-5 days to cure cracked heels.

7) Honey

Honey is one of the most popular home remedies for cracked heels. It has antibacterial as well as moisturizing properties. Honey can take care of your dry feet as well as cracked heels very well. Mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of honey in water enough for soaking your feet, do it for 15 minutes. This will make your feet moist and supple, you can repeat it for several days to get rid of cracked heels.

8) Use banana

Applying the pulp of a ripe banana on the dry or cracked area of the heel is a good simple home remedy for cracked heal. Leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse it clean and it can be used on a daily basis to prevent and treat dry and cracked heels. 

You can also add half an avocado or the flesh of half a coconut to a blender along with the banana to form a thick and creamy paste. Both are rich in several essential oils and fat soluble vitamins. This paste will help to provide your skin with the vitamins and oils it requires to stay soft and well moisturized. This paste can be used to treat as well as prevent dry cracked heels.

9) Olive oil

Olive oil is one of the most natural ways to get smooth soft healthy heels. Apply some extra virgin olive oil with the help of a cotton ball and gently massage your feet in a circular motion for 10-15 minutes. Wear a pair of thick cotton socks and wash off after an hour.

You can also make your own moisturizing cream, take 1 tbsp olive oil, a few drops of lemon oil or lavender oil in a small bottle and add an equal amount of water to it. mix it properly to get a thick solution. Use it before going to bed daily and wear socks for better results.

10) Wax and oil treatment

If you have tried everything else and yet not able to cure cracked heels, use this simple home remedy to cure cracked heels. Melt some paraffin wax and mix it with a little coconut oil or mustard oil and apply this mixture on your heels before going to bed. If you have deep cracks, fill this wax paste into those fissures. 

For better results soak your feet in warm water and clean your heals by scrubbing, rinse and clean your feet pat dry and wear socks after applying the wax and oil mixture before going to bed. Wash it off in the morning. This will also help in reducing the pain.

Try above simple natural home remedies at the first sign of cracked heels to restore soft and smooth skin on your heels. It is important to keep your body well hydrated by drinking plenty of water and follow a good healthy diet.