Dry and cracked feet can be an absolute nightmare for people. The skin on the feet has no oil glands and can become cracked. Not only does this look pretty bad it can actually hurt quite a bit and can even start bleeding and become infected. Cracked heels are caused by a number of issues such as a lack of moisture, exposure to environmental pollution and medical conditions like psoriasis, diabetes, eczema and thyroid can lead to cracked heels. If you are worried about how to get rid of cracked heels, here are some home remedies to try out.
The only 5 DIY cracked heel treatments you need this winter
Lemon, glycerin, salt, rose water mask
Lemon juice is quite acidic in nature and can help to heal dry and rough skin and can prevent cracking of the soles of your feet. Adding rosewater and glycerin to the mix can help to provide additional benefits. Glycerin can help to soften the skin while rosewater can help to provide anti-inflammatory properties as well as antiseptic properties that can help to heal cracks. However, lemon juice can make your skin irritable and can dry out the skin. Ensure that you do a skin patch test to prevent any allergic reaction.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cups lemon juice
- 2 tbsp glycerine
- 1 tbsp salt
- 2 tsp rosewater
- Lukewarm water
- Pumice stone
Steps
In a bowl of warm water, add around 8-10 drops lemon juice, half the glycerine, the salt and half the rosewater. Soak your feet in this mixture for 15-20 minutes. When the skin is soft, scrub your entire feet thoroughly with the pumice stone to get rid of the dead and dry skin. Now mixture 1 tsp glycerine, 1 tsp rosewater and lemon juice (1 tsp) and apply the mixture to your cracked heels. The mixture can be a little sticky and thus you can put on socks overnight. Wash it off with hot/lukewarm water next morning. Repeat this step for a few days till the heels become softer.
Vegetable oil
This is one of the simplest and affordable remedies you can try anytime for beautiful, smooth feet. The fats present in hydrogenated vegetable oil can help to nourish the skin and heal the cracks.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Steps
Wash and dry the feet completely with a clean towel. Apply vegetable oil (thick layer) on the feet. Cover the feet in thick socks leave on for the night, washing your feet next morning. Do the remedy daily before bed to get the best results.
Banana and avocado mask
Avocados are rich in a number of essential oils, fats and vitamins that can help to repair dry skin. Bananas can work as a moisturizing agent to make the feet skin smooth and soft.
Ingredients
- A ripe banana
- ½ an avocado
Steps
Blend together the banana and the avocado to form a thick and creamy paste. Apply on the feet and heels. Leave on for 15-20 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.
Paraffin wax
Paraffin wax can act as an emollient and can soften the skin. Do not heat the wax too much. Don’t use this remedy if you have diabetes.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp paraffin wax
- 2-3 drops coconut oil
Steps
Take the paraffin wax and add the coconut oil and put it in a saucepan to liquify the wax properly. Now allow the mix to cool down till it is not too hot to the touch. Apply the mix on the feet, leave it on overnight while wearing a pair of thick socks. Rinse off in the morning for baby soft skin.
Vaseline and lemon juice
The acidic properties of lemon, mixed with the moisture sealing and moisturizing properties of Vaseline can help to prevent and cure cracking of feet.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Vaseline
- 4-5 drops of lemon juice
- Warm water
Steps
Soak the feet in hot water for 20 minutes. Wash off and dry. Mix the Vaseline with the lemon juice and apply this mix on the heels and any other cracks till it is absorbed into your skin. Cover with woolen socks to trap the body heat and boost the effectiveness of the mix, leave on overnight and rinse in the morning.
With care and relaxation, cracked heels can take about 7-14 days to start healing, though it depends on certain factors like the extent of the cracking and the medical history. These remedies can be a great way to ensure that you have baby soft feet.
