Fissures, commonly known as cracked feet, are a frequent foot issue. Most of us spend a lot of time caring for our faces, but our feet are given the least attention and are frequently neglected.
They’re caused by dry skin, often accompanied by thicker skin and yellow or brown calluses along the heel’s edge. Cracked skin may appear to be a short-term fix at first, but it can cause pain when walking if left untreated.
Are you uncomfortable taking off your shoes in public because of a cracked heel? If yes, continue reading this article to find how to heal cracked feet overnight with simple home remedies.
What Causes Cracked Feet?
Cracked heels can occur for various reasons, be it wearing footwear that exposes your feet or due to lack of moisture. If you ever notice symptoms like dry skin thickening around your heels, cracked skin, or heel pain, it is crucial to understand the problem and possibly prevent it in the future.
There are many reasons for the causes of cracked feet; here are some of them.
Dehydration
The most common reason for cracked skin is dehydration. When moisture lacks, then as a kind of protection, the heel generates large regions of tough skin. As a result, the skin’s ability to recover is hindered.
Moisture Deficiency
The skin around our heels lacks a small number of sweat glands. So our feet are more prone to becoming dry, rough, and chapped.
Deficiencies
Lack of vitamins and minerals are the leading cause of cracked heels.
Pressure
Standing for lengthy periods at work or home can cause stress to the skin on your heels.
Obesity
Being overweight can cause cracked heels as it creates pressure on the fat pad beneath the heel. It extends sideways, putting pressure on the feet if the skin isn’t flexible enough.
Hygiene
Cracked heels can also be caused by not keeping your feet clean, though harsh soaps and rigorous cleaning can worsen the problem.
Shoes that Don’t Fit Properly
Cracked heels and heel pain can be caused by wearing shoes that don’t fit properly.
Genetics
Cracked heels can be caused by hereditary dry or thick skin and calluses around the heel.
Remedies For Cracked Feet
Home remedies are the best for cracked feet. So here are a few easy techniques to massage your cracked heels and provide much-needed comfort. You may address the majority of cracked heels at home by soaking and hydrating your foot. These steps will help you mend damaged heels, and in no time, you’ll be back on your feet feeling great.
1. Using Heel Balms or Thick Moisturizers
The use of heel balms is the best option for cracked heels. Ingredients in these balms hydrate, soften, and exfoliate dead skin. It contains ingredients like urea (Flexitol Heel Balm), salicylic acid (Kerasal), alpha-hydroxy acids (Amlactin), and saccharide isomerate.
You need to apply heel balm first thing in the morning to improve skin flexibility before going about your day. To treat cracked heels, you need to moisturize your heel two to three times a day. Try to wear heel-protecting footwear.
Some heel balms might irritate or hurt the skin. If the cream continues to annoy you or creates severe reactions, then consult your doctor. To reduce inflammation and relieve itching, severe cases of cracked heels may require a prescription-strength balm or steroid cream.
2. Soak and Scrub Your Feet
Soaking your feet overnight and scrubbing them is one of the most popular home remedies for cracked feet. Most of the time, the skin surrounding your damaged heels is usually thicker and drier. So it starts to split whenever you apply pressure to that skin.
Thus, soaking and scrubbing your feet helps you to reduce cracked feet and keeps your feet hydrated.
How To Do
Step 1: For up to 20 minutes, soak your feet in lukewarm water.
Step 2: With the use of loofah, foot scrubber, or pumice stone, remove any hard or thick skin.
Step 3: Dry your feet gently with a soft towel.
Step 4: Apply a heavy moisturizer or a heel balm to the affected area of your feet.
Step 5: Now apply petroleum jelly to the affected area and wear socks to lock in moisture overnight.
Note: Don’t scrub your feet when they are dry, as it increases the risk of damaged skin.
3. Liquid Bandages
Liquid bandages can also be used to seal cracks and prevent infection or further cracking. Because this product is a spray, you won’t have to worry about the bandage slipping off during the day. For deep, bleeding heel cracks, a liquid bandage is a suitable option.
It is crucial to cleanse and dry the skin before applying the liquid bandage. The covering is driven to the skin’s surface as the fissure heals. This product is available without a prescription at a pharmacy or online.
4. Wear Socks Made Of Natural Materials
Materials like cotton and wool are inherently more absorbent, and moisture-wicking properties are especially crucial in the winter. The humid, gloomy environment of wet socks in shoes and boots can cause a fungal foot illness that looks like dry skin.
To avoid this, you need to wear winter socks made of natural fabrics like cotton or wool rather than synthetic blends to keep your feet dry and clear of bacteria.
5. Avoid Using Harsh Soap or Scented Skin Care Products
It is crucial to keep your cracked heels clean and dry. But it would be best if you didn’t use strong cleansers as they can dry out the skin even more. Using a gentle cleanser helps the skin of the heel retain more moisture. You can opt for Emollient products instead of soap in the bath and shower.
Fragrances, alcohol, retinoids, and alpha-hydroxy acids can be too harsh for dry, sensitive skin in skincare products. Hence, you should avoid these items to protect the skin’s natural oils.
Natural Home Remedies For Cracked Feet
1. Use Of Listerine and Vinegar
Using Listerine and Vinegar is one of the best home remedies to try to treat cracked heels. Listerine contains thymol and alcohol, so it helps to treat toenail fungus, cracked feet, skin irritation. The gentle acids in vinegar soften dry, dead skin, making exfoliation simple.
How To Do
Step 1: Add one cup of Listerine, one cup of white vinegar, and two cups of water to a mixing bowl.
Step 2: Now, soak your feet for 15 minutes in the mixture.
Step 3: Remove your shoes and exfoliate your feet with a pumice stone to remove dead skin.
Step 4: Rinse well with fresh water.
Step 5: Moisturize after pat dry.
Step 6: Repeat these steps every day until your heels are healed.
2. Use of Banana
Banana helps to keep our skin hydrated as it contains vitamins A, B6, and C, and it contributes to maintaining the elasticity of the skin. You can use this remedy every night before bed for two weeks.
How To Do
Step 1: Take two ripe bananas and mash them into a smooth paste. Make sure that you take a ripe banana as unripped banana contains acid, which is harmful to your skin.
Step 2: Gently rub your feet with the mashed banana and leave it on for a total of 20 minutes.
Step 3:Rinse your feet with clean water after 20 minutes.
3. Use of Honey
Honey is a natural antibacterial that assists in the healing of cracked feet. It’s also a good humectant, which keeps the skin wet and prevents it from drying out. Honey also has calming effects that help to refresh the skin. You can do this regularly before going to bed for a few weeks.
How To Do
Step 1: Add one cup of honey to warm water in a mixing bowl.
Step 2: Now, soak your feet for 20 minutes in the mixture and gently massage them.
Step 3: Now, you can use a pumice stone to exfoliate your skin gently.
Step 4: Rinse well with fresh water.
Step 5: Apply a thick moisturizer after pat dry.
4. Use of Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oils contain vitamins like provitamin A, D, and E that nourish the skin and regenerate new cells. Cooking oils absorb quickly into the skin, and it helps to rejuvenate the skin and cure cracked heels by forming new cells.
How To Do
Step 1: Your feet should be thoroughly cleaned and dried.
Step 2: Apply a generous layer of vegetable oil to your heels and toes.
Step 3: Wear clean and comfy socks should and leave them overnight.
Step 4: To repair cracked heels, do this every day before going to bed.
5. Use of Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe Vera Gel contains vitamins A (beta-carotene), C, and E. The cholesterol, campesterol, sitosterol, and lupeol found in aloe vera have antioxidant effects, while the cholesterol, campesterol, -sitosterol, and lupeol found in aloe vera have anti-inflammatory properties. Lupeol also has antibacterial and analgesic properties. Aloe vera contains auxins and gibberellins, which aid wound healing.
How To Do
Step 1: To exfoliate dead skin, soak your feet in warm water and scrub them with a pumice stone.
Step 2: Apply a generous layer of aloe vera gel to your feet after patting them dry.
Step 3: Put on your cotton socks, and you can go to your bed.
Step 4: In the morning, wash with lukewarm water.
6. Use of Vaseline and Lemon Juice
When mixed with Vaseline’s hydrating impact, Lemon’s acidic properties make it easier to get rid of dry skin and cracked feet. You can use this remedy daily before going to bed.
How To Do
Step 1: Soak your feet for 15 minutes in lukewarm water. Rinse well and pat dry.
Step 2: Now take one teaspoon Vaseline, plus a few drops of lemon juice, and apply to your heels and other portions of your feet.
Step 3: Wear a pair of woolen socks and wash them off in the morning.
7. Use of Rice Flour, Honey, and Vinegar
Rice flour is an excellent natural exfoliant that helps to remove dead skin cells while also nourishing the skin. Honey is a natural antibacterial that heals broken feet, while Vinegar is a gentle acid that moistens dry, dead skin, making exfoliation a breeze.
How To Do
Step 1: To make a scrub, combine all of the components in a thick paste.
Step 2: You have to soak your feet in lukewarm water for 10 minutes, then dry and scrape away the dead skin with the mixture.
Also Read: Is Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Cured Naturally?
Finally
Treating cracked heels is not complicated, and you can quickly treat them in your home using these simple home remedies. To heal cracked feet, start moisturizing your feet and opt for thick moisturizers (Eucerin, Cetaphil, others) twice a day.
Apply a more dense, oil-based cream or petroleum jelly (Vaseline, Aquaphor Healing Ointment, etc.) and wear thin cotton socks at night to allow the moisturizer to do its job.
The treatment for the cracked heels can take many days or weeks to heal. It is crucial to wear correct fitting shoes and practice proper foot care during and after this to help prevent new heel cracks.
