Besides being unsightly, cracked heels can develop into a much bigger problem if left untreated. To prevent bleeding and the risk of infection, it is best to take care of your cracked heels with one or more of these remedies or tips. First, what causes cracked heels?
Because the skin on the bottom of your feet is thicker and contains fewer oil glands, it is easy for the skin, especially around the heels of your feet to become dry. The lack of oil production along with standing too long and the accumulation of dead skin only adds to the problem of chapped and cracked heels.
These 15 effective remedies and tips for cracked heels can help you avoid bleeding and infection, but they are not all inclusive. If the open areas on your feet become infected, it may be necessary to consult a health care professional.
15 Effective Remedies and Tips for Cracked Heels
Listerine
Though it seems like a strange place to be using mouthwash, soaking your feet in a Listerine solution is an effective remedy for cracked heels.
What to do:
- In a bowl or pan large enough for your feet add 2 cups of water, 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of Listerine.
- Allow your feet to soak in the solution for about 20 minutes.
- Remove, pat dry and repeat the same process two to three times per week.
How it works:The thymol and phytochemicals in Listerine have antiseptic properties that help to heal cracked skin, loosen dead skin and soften the skin.
Baking Soda
A very common ingredient for cooking in every home, baking soda, is another effective remedy for cracked heels.
What to do:
- Fill a soaking pan with approximately 1 gallon of water.
- Mix in 3 Tbsp of baking soda.
- Allow your feet to soak for about 15 minutes in the solution.
- Scrub your soaked skin with a pumice stone or other abrasive.
- Rinse away dead skin and repeat the process 2 to 3 times weekly.
How it works:The soothing relief of baking soda combined with its anti-inflammatory properties help heal the damage of cracked heels and prevent further damage.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is hailed as one of the most effective home remedies for a number of health conditions and healing cracked heels can be added to the list.
What to do:
- Fill a soaking tub with a gallon of warm water.
- Add 1 cup of apple cider vinegar.
- Soak your feet for about 15 minutes.
- Repeat this process every other day.
How it works:Apple cider vinegar not only helps to soften the skin and release dead skin, but it also has antibacterial properties to prevent infection.
Aloe Vera
The gel from the aloe vera plant can be used in two different ways in order to help heal cracked heels.
What to do:
- After using one of the soaking techniques, create a paste from a handful of crushed basil leaves, 1 tsp of turmeric powder and 2 Tbsp of aloe vera gel.
- Apply the past to your cracked heels and let it stand for 20 minutes.
- Rinse and pat your feet dry.
- Repeat 2 to 3 times weekly.
- Alternately, use as a moisturizer each night before going to bed.
How it works:The soothing of aloe vera gel is both anti-inflammatory and antibiotic in nature and can help soften skin as well as prevent infection.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E can also be used in two different ways as an effective remedy for cracked heels.
What to do:
- Look for natural moisturizers with vitamin E to apply to your heels daily.
- You can also puncture vitamin E capsules with a pen or clip off the tip of a vitamin E capsule and apply the oil to the affected area daily.
- Additionally, you take up to 1,000 mg of vitamin E supplement per day, orally, if you’re over the age of 18.
How it works:Vitamin E is well known for restoring the vitality of skin and fortifying skin cells.
Banana and Avocado Foot Mask
At first glance, a banana and avocado foot mask might seem a bit strange, but it is another effective remedy for cracked heels that you ought to try.
What to do:
- Using a fork, mash together 1 ripe banana and ½ of an avocado into a paste.
- Massage the paste into your heels.
- Let it stand for 30 minutes.
- Rinse with water and dry your feet.
- You can repeat the process several times a week.
How it works:The combination of moisturizers and essential oils in these two fruits combined can help relieve chapped skin and cause the cracks to disappear.
Oatmeal and Olive Oil
A mixture of oatmeal and olive oil to use as a foot mask is another way to alleviate the symptoms of cracked heels.
What to do:
- Mix 1 Tbsp of powdered oatmeal with 4 to 5 drops of olive oil in order to create a paste.
- Apply the paste to the affected area and leave it for 30 minutes.
- Rinse and dry your feet.
- You can repeat this remedy every other day.
How it works:Oatmeal helps to exfoliate the skin. Mixed with olive oil, you receive the added benefit of an anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effect.
Salt and Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil mixed with salt is a great foot scrub that can be used to treat cracked heels.
What to do:
- Mix 3 to 4 drops of tea tree oil to 1/2 cup of salt.
- Use the mixture as a scrub for your heels, working to remove the dead skin.
- Rinse and dry your feet.
- You can repeat this treatment two or three times weekly.
How it works:Terpinin-4-ol in tea tree oil is antimicrobial to help prevent infection. The abrasive of salt is great for exfoliation and is also antibacterial.
Epsom Salt
Epsom salt can also be used in two different ways to treat cracked heels.
What to do:
- Mix 1 to 2 Tbsp of Epson salt in a gallon of warm water in a foot tub.
- Soak your feet in the mixture for 20 minutes.
- Remove your feet and pat them dry.
- Repeat several times a week.
- You can also use Epsom salt as a scrub, substituting it for regular salt and combining it with olive oil.
How it works:The magnesium content in Epsom salt aids in anti-inflammatory and antibacterial response to your cracked heels and can prevent further damage.
Pumice Stone
Making use of a pumice stone after soaking your feet in any solution is another essential element in healing cracked heels.
What to do:
- Soak your feet in one of the solutions we’ve suggested for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Make use of the abrasive surface of the pumice stone to scrub away dry skin.
- Rinse and dry your feet.
- Repeat this process every other day.
How it works:Removing the dry dead skin with a pumice stone helps new, smoother and healthier skin to grow in its place.
Rice Flour
Rice flour is another ingredient that can be used as an abrasive for exfoliating the dry skin from your cracked heels.
What to do:
- Mix 2 to 3 Tbsp of ground rice flour with a ½ tsp of honey and enough apple cider vinegar to create a thick paste.
- After soaking your feet, use the mixture as a scrub to remove the dead skin from your feet.
- Repeat several times per week.
How it works:Honey and apple cider vinegar both contain antimicrobial compounds that help heal your skin and encourage the growth of the new skin that can replace the old skin that was removed using the abrasive and mineral rich qualities of the rice flour.
Paraffin and Mustard Oil
Though paraffin is usually made to make candles or as a seal for homemade jams, combined with mustard oil, it is an effective solution for cracked heels.
What to do:
- Place 1 Tbsp of paraffin wax in a pan and melt it.
- Add 3 drops of mustard oil.
- Allow the wax to cool, but not harden.
- Apply the mixture to the affected area, cover with socks and let it sit over night.
- Wash it off in the morning.
- Repeat a couple times a week.
How it works:Mustard oil is an antimicrobial and paraffin is an emollient that helps to soften your skin.
Honey
Honey is another common household item that is on a lot of lists for home remedies; it is also an effective solution for cracked heels.
What to do:
- Mix a cup of honey into a gallon of warm water and place it in a soaking tub.
- Soak your feet for 20 minutes.
- Rinse and dry your feet.
- Repeat this process several times a week.
How it works:Honey has both moisturizing and antibacterial properties.
Coconut Oil
A product that no home should be without, coconut oil is another solution for cracked heels.
What to do:
- Massage 1 to 2 Tbsp of coconut oil into your feet for 5 minutes each.
- Put on a pair of socks and go to bed.
- Repeat nightly.
How it works:Coconut oil contains vitamin E and lauric and capric acids, which act as antiseptic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents.
Turmeric and Indian Lilac
A mixture of Indian lilac, aka neem, and turmeric powder are another effective remedy for cracked heels.
What to do:
- Create a paste by mixing 3 tsp with crushed Indian lilac leaves or essential oil.
- Apply the paste to the affected area and let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Rinse and dry your feet.
- Repeat this treatment daily.
How it works:The anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties of turmeric combined with the emollient and anti-fungal properties of Indian lilac help bring relief to your feet and prevent infection.
We have talked a lot about how to remedy cracked heels. But what is even better advice than learning how to heal them is learning how to prevent them. What are some great preventative tips, you ask? We have the best below!
Preventatives for Cracked Heels
1. Wear Closed Toed Shoes
This is a big one because many people enjoy wearing open toed shoes. When I grew up in Miami, Florida, it was the norm to wear sandals every single day. Now when I go back home to visit, I realize how that style is so common there. But with this style comes many issues, as your foot is exposed to the elements. To avoid this, you may want to swap them out for some closed shoes such as flats.
If you struggle with frequent cracked heels, take this into consideration. When I moved to colder climate I had to purchase boots and flats and all types of shoes that were closed and it was a totally new style for me, but it was so worth it! This way, your feet will remain unharmed by the elements and in good condition and health.
2. Apply Lotion or Heel Cream
Purchasing and applying heel lotions and ointments is one of the best preventatives of heel creaks. Even before you get to the point of having to deal with breakage, using a salve to cover the area gives the nutrients and moisture that is needed. If you struggle with cracks that are under control, this application is a great way to avoid more cracking. It is best for you to purchase the good stuff (the balms) that is truly doctor suggested. But if you do not have a history of cracks but simply want to keep your heels healthy, lotion with with nutrients is more than enough for your feet
3. Exfoliate
Have you noticed why it is so common for heels to crack and not other skin? Have you ever touched the skin on your heel and thought how strange it feels and how much thicker it is? There is a reason for this. It is because the skin is much thicker and more layered! Not only is the skin thicker, but when it is pressed on frequently, it breaks more easily, the result of which is heel cracks.
All you need is a little self care. Exfoliating is fun and useful as a preventative. Many people exfoliate before they shave to get rid of dead skin cells that build up on rougher and thicker areas to avoid hard skin that leads to dryness and cracking.
4. Moisturizer sleeve
Something similar to exfoliating, but much less time consuming, is using a moisturizer sleeve which contains oils, vitamins, and nutrients that will do the job as you wear it. This is like putting on a sock. This way when you take it off, your foot will be very moisturized and if you do it regularly, it will be harder for cracks to form on the heel.
Final Thoughts on Cracked Heels
Cracked heels, if left alone can begin to bleed and even become infected. There is no reason to allow your chapped heels to reach that point, however. Using one or more of these 15 effective remedies and tips for cracked heels can help you avoid further damage. Try them out and comment on their effectiveness or add other remedies to our list by commenting below.
Image sources: depositphotos.com.