Get Rid Of Cracked Heels With These Easy Home Cures

The Best Home Remedies For Cracked Heels

Cracked heels, or heel fissures, are a common condition in which the skin begins to break along the outer edge of the heel. The skin there becomes very dry, hard and flaky, which causes the fissures to occur. Some of these fissures may even lead to painful bleeding. But there’s no need to lose hope, because there are excellent home remedies to treat this condition. Lets review some of them.

What Causes Cracked Heels?

Cracked heels can happen to anyone for a variety of reasons, but here are some of the most commonly found responsible factors:

~Walking barefoot for extended periods of time

~Regular use of sandals

~Living in dry climates

~Wearing open backed shoes

~Thick, hard and inflexible skin around the heels

~Walking or standing on your heels for a long time

~Pregnancy

~Lack of proper support from footwear around the heel

~Prolonged standing on hard floors

~Inactive sweat glands

~Poor foot hygiene

~Being obese or overweight

~Athlete’s Foot, eczema or other skin conditions

~Deficiency in minerals, vitamins, or zinc

~Thyroid problems or Diabetes

~Flat feet or high arched heels

How Can You Treat Cracked Heels?

One of the most important habits to adopt if you have cracked heels, or have had it in the past, is to keep your feet moisturized at all time. Use a soft foot file on your cracked heels to reduce the development of fissures and to remove dry and dead skin cells. Remember, getting rid of cracked heels can be a bit of a process, and the condition will not disappear overnight.

1. Use Oils

Hydrogenated vegetable oil is said to be very good at treating cracked heels. Other oils that are good for treating the condition are: sesame, coconut, olive and vegetable oils.

First clean your feet with soap and water and pat them dry. If you already have cracks in your heels, rub your feet down for a few minutes with a pumice stone to get rid of the dry skin. Then, clean the area with a tissue and apply the oils to any cracks or sores in your heels. Rub the oils in liberally and leave the oil on your feet overnight. For effective results, apply oil each night for a week and you will experience a dramatic improvement in your cracked heels.

2. Ripe Bananas

Bananas can be an excellent moisturizer if they are used correctly. Mash up the banana and apply the mixture to your dry and cracked heels. Leave it on your feet for 15 minutes, then wash off the mixture with warm water. Later, use cold water to wash off the remainder and to refresh your feet.

3. Paraffin Wax

If you experience pain from cracked heels, paraffin wax can give you almost instant relief. Mix the paraffin with coconut or mustard oil and then heat it up until the wax melts. Use the resulting liquid and apply it to your feet to be left overnight or wash it off in the morning. You’ll be amazed at the results!