7 Ways to Treat Cracked Heels
Cracks on the heels are usually caused by insufficient moisture, cold winter weather, and other various things. These cracks can be painful and sometimes even bleed. In order to avoid this unpleasant condition, 5-Minute Crafts will show you several effective ways to heal your heels naturally.
Warning: If you experience soreness, redness, swelling, or severe pain in your heels for more than a few days, you should see a doctor before trying any treatments at home.
1. Drink enough water.
Cracked heels may occur because of dehydration. In this case, drinking enough water will help you stay properly hydrated as well as prevent and soothe dry, cracked skin on your feet.
How to do it:
- Men should drink about 3.7 liters of fluids a day and women, about 2.7 liters of fluids a day. This includes fluids from water, other beverages, and food.
2. Try a vinegar foot soak.
Vinegar foot soaks can soothe your dry, cracked feet and slow down the growth of some types of foot fungus.
How to do it:
- Mix 1 part vinegar with 2 parts cool (not hot!) water.
- Soak your feet in this mixture for 10-15 minutes every day.
3. Exfoliate the skin on your feet.
Using a pumice stone for exfoliation will help you remove hard, thick skin from your heels.
How to do it:
- Right after a foot soak, take a pumice stone and gently rub the thick skin on your heels.
❗ Avoid scrubbing your feet when they’re dry as this may increase the risk of damaging your skin.
4. Moisturize your feet regularly.
Moisturizing may help retain moisture in your skin and prevent it from drying out and cracking.
How to do it:
- Use an emollient or humectant moisturizer (cream, lotion, or ointment) at least once a day to reduce water loss in your skin.
- Once the emollient or humectant is absorbed, apply a thick layer of an occlusive moisturizer (petroleum jelly or lanolin) over the top to seal the moisture in.
5. Wear cotton socks to bed.
Cotton socks will help you keep moisture locked in, softening your skin and allowing it to breathe.
How to do it:
- After you’ve applied an occlusive moisturizer to your heels, put on 100% cotton socks and go to bed.
6. Try an aspirin foot mask.
The aspirin mask will help you exfoliate dead skin cells and make the skin on your heels softer and smoother.
How to do it:
- Grind 10 aspirin pills into a powder and add some lemon juice to make a paste.
- Take a cotton pad and soak it in the mixture.
- Apply the cotton pad to your cracked heel.
- Use gauze or plastic wrap to secure the cotton pads on your heels and let them stay overnight.
7. Change your bathroom routine.
The proper bathroom routine will help you keep your feet well-hydrated and make your skin smoother.
How to do it: