Cracked heels are a common foot problem. In a survey, it was found that 20% of adults in the United States experience skin on their feet. This can occur in both adults and children and seems to affect women more often than men. For a number of people, having cracked heels is not serious. It causes discomfort when moving barefoot. In some cases, cracks in the heels may become very deep and cause pain. Read more here to learn the best home remedies like natural cracked heel cream for treating or preventing them.
Home Remedies For Cracked Heels
1.Thick Moisturizers Or Heel Balms
The first treatment for cracked heels is using a heel balm. These balms have ingredients to soften, moisturize and exfoliate dead skin. The ingredients are –
- Urea
- Salicylic acid (Kerasal)
- Saccharide isomerate
- alpha hydroxy acids (Amlactin)
You can get heel balms online or at a drugstore.
Some heel balms may cause minor irritation or sting. This is normal. Consult a doctor if the balm continues to irritate you or causes severe reactions. Severely cracked heels require a steroid cream or prescription-strength balm to decrease inflammation and to relieve itching.
2.Soak And Exfoliate Your Feet
The skin around the cracked heel is dryer and thicker than the rest of the skin. This tends to split when you put pressure. Soaking the feet can help with this. Some tips are given below –
For a foot soak
- Dip your feet in soapy, lukewarm water for nearly 20 minutes.
- Use a foot scrubber, pumice stone or loofah to remove the thick, hard skin.
- Softly pat the feet dry
- Apply a thick moisturizer or a heel balm to the cracked area.
- Use petroleum jelly on the heels to seal in moisture. Put on socks to avoid spreading grease around.
Avoid scrubbing the feet when they are dry. This increases the risk of damaged skin.
3. Liquid Bandage
You can apply a liquid bandage for cracks so that the wound is sealed and to prevent further cracking or infection. The liquid bandage is available as a spray, which means you can do your daily work without worrying about the bandage coming off. It is a great option for treating deep heel cracks that bleed.
4. Honey
Honey works as a natural remedy for cracked heels. Honey has antibacterial and anti-microbial properties. Honey can help heal and cleanse wounds, it also moisturizes the skin. Honey can be used after a soak as a foot scrub or as a foot mask overnight.
5. Coconut Oil
It is mainly recommended for dry skin, Psoriasis and Eczema. It may help your skin retain moisture. Using coconut oil after a foot soak can be a good option. Can Coconut oil’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties heal your cracked heels if they are bleeding or are prone to infections?
Conclusion
There are many other home remedies for cracked heels, not a single has proven to specifically treat them. Most of the ingredients focus on softening and moisturizing the skin. Do not treat cracked heels by yourself, if they are due to a medical condition. Special treatment from a foot doctor (podiatrist) may be required. Cases of severely cracked heels are evaluated by a podiatrist irrespective of medical history. He will suggest the best treatment for your condition.