A cracked heel is a common foot problem faced by people of all ages. A dry, cracked heel is an indication that your skin barrier needs serious care. The callused heels lose their flexibility and become thick, hard, and rough; and yellow or brown patches appear around the toes. Many people are worried about how to heal cracked heels.
According to research from the British Skin Foundation, every 2 in 10 people suffer from cracked feet. If you don’t follow the foot care routine properly, then it can increase the risk of skin infection. You can use effective home remedies like coconut oil or honey in your cracked heel treatment to reduce the risk of deep heel cracks and skin infection. Dry, cracked heels can occur from various causes.
If I share my experience with cracked heels, I usually get them after taking a hot shower in winter.
Read the article below to get the complete guide about the common causes, symptoms, and possible risks of having cracked feet, and follow the everyday skin care tips to prevent painful cracked heels by using household ingredients.
What are Cracked Heels?
Our skin is like a shield that protects us from dirt and impurities, but in some cases, it can’t protect us when the skin gets injured. Foot cracks or heel fissures are a very common skin concern that occurs when the skin on the bottom of your heel becomes dry and rough.
These deep cracks can cause skin infection, such as cellulitis. It will ultimately become fragile, leading to breaks. Heel cracks can be very painful and make you uncomfortable.
Causes and Risk Factors of Dry Cracked Heels
The development of calluses has several stages; the heel skin becomes dry, hard, and thick. While walking, it puts extra pressure on the fat pads under your heel, causing them to expand and develop small cracks. If you ignore these cracks, they will become deep and cause bleeding, and if you have diabetes, then it could be risky for you and can lead to diabetic foot ulceration.
Development of cracked heels, or heel fissures, is a common skin problem in many people caused by various factors, and some of them are discussed below:
- Use of harsh soaps
- Cold weather
- Standing for a long time
- Lack of moisture
- Taking hot baths and showers
Symptoms of Cracked Heels
Whenever the skin is dry, thick, or stiff, the heel cracks become visible. You feel discomfort while stretching. The area around the heels looks brown or yellow. Hence, the appearance of heel fissures can be caused by experiencing different symptoms, which include:
- Itchiness
- Bleeding
- Redness and swelling
- Pain and discomfort
- infection
How to Prevent Dry, Cracked Heels Naturally at Home
Naturally, the skin under the feet has fewer oil glands, and it needs extra hydration to prevent dry skin because it loses oil moisture faster than other areas of the body. This can become worse if you have hard, dry, cracked heels. A 2010 survey shows that 20% of Americans are facing this cracked heel issue. Although it can affect people of all ages but observed more in women than men.
The following are some measures on how to treat cracked heels at home. You can follow these steps in your everyday skin care routine to reduce the appearance of cracked heels.
Moisturise Dry Heels
What I have experienced in my life is that using gentle skincare moisturisers regularly prevents hard skin and heel pain. Natural skin care ingredients like shea butter, urea, and glycerin soften the skin and give a healthy protective barrier. I always follow this daily skincare routine after bathing to keep the skin moisturised.
According to the British Association of Dermatology’s recommendation, if we still have a dry skin layer, then we should use urea, alpha-hydroxy acid, and salicylic acid for deep care. Urea is a powerhouse ingredient, both a humectant and exfoliator that removes dead skin cells and provides deep hydration.
Get Scrubbing for Foot Cracks
Be careful, scrubbing rough heels can increase the damage. For soft, smoother skin, it’s recommended to soak your feet in warm water for about 5 minutes for heel repair. I personally use a pumice stone around the areas of dry skin after soaking my dry skin feet, and apply the cracked heel remedy after following this procedure of regular exfoliation with a foot scrubber.
Use Honey for Cracked Heels
Honey acts as a skin-softening agent that contains antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Research in 2012 shows that honey can be used as an overnight foot mask or foot scrub after soaking the feet. Take a bowl of honey, apply it twice a week for 15-20 minutes to retain hydration and improve skin elasticity.
Use Coconut Oil for Foot Dryness
Coconut oil contains a high concentration of lauric acid and fatty acids, which help to improve your skin health. According to a study in 2019, approximately 20% of Americans are suffering from cracked heels. The antioxidant power of coconut oil softens tired skin.
The best approach is to use coconut oil at night before bed, and gently massage your cracked skin with olive oil. It will not only restore the skin but also repair, improve blood circulation, and soothe inflammation by relaxing your foot muscles.
Avoid Harsh Soaps for Foot Cracks
Wash your feet daily with lukewarm water, but avoid harsh soaps and body washers, as they can strip out the skin barrier and cause slight stinging or irritation. Use milder soaps that are free from fragrance and are made up of natural ingredients such as aloe vera, herbal oils, or chamomile. Moreover, you can make your own soap suitable for your skin condition to soothe heel damage.
Wear the Proper Shoes to Avoid Heel Fissures
Dr. Foster recommends wearing comfortable shoes, avoiding flip-flops or slingbacks, wearing soft, loose shoes that cover the heel and match your daily activities, and providing better support.
Limit Baths and Showers to Avoid Dry Feet
To keep your skin healthy, Dr. Gohara recommends bathing for 5 to 10 minutes daily with lukewarm water. Additionally, she recommends using natural heel repair cream before and after bathing or bed. Avoid hot, long showers to retain natural oil and prevent further dryness.
How to Heal Cracked Heels in Winter
In winter, there are high risk of heel fissures because of low humidity, friction, and lack of moisturization. Many people remember to take care of themselves, but forget about foot care. This skin concern is very common among Indian women during winter. Another cause of cracked feet is the use of indoor heaters in winter, which dries out the air in your home. So, for foot skin comfort, use foot moisturizers to stay hydrated and reduce foot cracks.
Conclusion
Healing cracked heels naturally at home is simple by just following the right steps in your skincare routine to promote deep hydration and skin repair for a healthy skin barrier. Consult with a doctor if it’s bleeding or not healing, or if you have an underlying health condition such as diabetes.
Although using DIY remedies for foot skin repair, you can achieve soft, replenishing skin, it starts showing signs of improvement after some days or weeks. To restore your comfort and confidence, transform your heel care routine and enjoy every step.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I permanently get rid of cracked heels?
You can use DIY skincare remedies to get rid of cracked heels, but if you still don’t see any improvement, consult a podiatrist to heal cracked heels and remove hard, thick skin for long-lasting relief.
How long will it take for cracked heels to heal?
This depends on the condition of your cracked feet; it might show some improvement in the early stages, but complete healing needs some days or weeks, and during this time, it’s important to wear comfortable shoes and follow a proper foot care routine.
What causes dry, cracked heels?
Dry cracked heels are caused by a loss of natural moisture, which weakens the natural skin barrier. However, it’s not the only cause of dry feet; dehydration, shoe pressure, and health conditions are also some major causes of cracked heels.
Does vaseline fix cracked heels?
Use of natural vaseline helps you to maintain a healthy protective layer. Applying it before bed will keep your skin moisturized and repair the skin cracks naturally during sleep.
