CRACKED heels is a common foot problem.
It occurs when dry, thick skin on the bottom of your heels cracks and splits.
In most cases, if the cracks are minor, it is merely a nuisance and may be unattractive to look at, but if left untreated and the heel fissures become deeper, it can be painful to walk and may become infected.
What causes cracked heels?
The first sign of cracked heels is having areas of dry, thickened skin, known as callouses around the rim of your heel.
As you walk, the fat pad under your heel expands.
This causes your callouses to crack.
Other factors that can cause cracked heels include:
standing for long hours
walking around barefoot, or with open-back sandals
taking long, hot showers
using harsh soaps that can strip your skin of natural oils
shoes that don’t fit properly or support your heels
dry skin due to climate, such as cold temperatures or low humidity
If you do not moisturise your feet regularly, they may dry out even faster.
Soak and exfoliate your feet
The skin around cracked heels is often thicker and drier than the rest of your skin.
This skin tends to split when you apply pressure.
Soaking and moisturising your feet can help with this.
Here are some tips for a foot soak:
Keep your feet in lukewarm, soapy water for up to 20 minutes.
Use a loofah, foot scrubber, or pumice stone to remove any hard, thick skin.
Gently pat your feet dry.
Apply a heel balm or thick moisturiser to the affected area.
Apply petroleum jelly over your feet to lock in moisture. Put on socks to avoid spreading any grease around.
Avoid scrubbing your feet when they are dry.
This increases your risk for damaged skin.
Honey
Honey may work as a natural remedy for cracked heels.
According to a 2012 review Trusted Source, honey has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.
Research shows that honey can help heal and cleanse wounds, and moisturise the skin.
You can use honey as a foot scrub after a soak, or apply it as a foot mask overnight.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is often recommended for dry skin, eczema, and psoriasis.
It can help your skin retain moisture.
Using coconut oil after a foot soak could be a good option, too.
Coconut oil’s anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties may help your cracked heels if they are prone to bleeding or infections.
Other natural remedies
There are many other home remedies for cracked heels, although none are proven to specifically treat cracked heals.
Most ingredients focus on moisturising and softening the skin.
These include:
vinegar, for a foot soak
olive or vegetable oil, to moisturise
shea butter, to moisturise
mashed bananas, to moisturise
paraffin wax, to seal in moisture
oatmeal mixed with oil, for exfoliation
Tips for treating cracked heels
Apply heel balm in the morning to increase skin elasticity before you start your day.
Moisturise your heel two to three times a day.
Wear shoes that protect your heel.
How to prevent cracked heels
Your footwear matters.
If you are prone to cracked heels, try to find shoes that fit properly and support your heels.
Whenever possible, wear shoes with a sturdy, wide heel that supports and cushions your heels.
Avoid:
flip-flops and sandals, which can increase the risk of your feet drying out
open-back shoes, which generally do not provide enough heel support
shoes with a tall, skinny heel, which can cause your heel to expand sideways
shoes that are too tight
Other ways to prevent cracked heels:
Avoid standing in one position or sitting with your legs crossed for too long.
Slather on thick foot cream at night and then cover your feet with socks to lock in moisture.
In many cases, cracked heels are not cause for concern.
You may be able to relieve the condition with over-the-counter or home remedies.
See a doctor if you have a severe case of cracked heels, or an underlying medical conditions such as diabetes.
It is important to see a doctor to prevent potentially serious complications.
Although your skin may show signs of improvement after initial treatment, it may take several days or weeks for the cracks to heal.
During and after this time, wear shoes that fit properly and practice proper foot care to help prevent new heel cracks. — health line.com.
