The Best Home Remedies For Cracked Heels

Do you suffer from dry, cracked heels even when it’s not summer? Cracked skin is normally painful but walking on it is unbearable! Find out how to heal dry skin on your feet with natural home remedies with these home remedies for cracked heels.

Table of Contents show

Home Remedies for Cracked Heels

Dry, cracked heels can make even the simplest tasks, such as walking, uncomfortable, and using your normal lotions and moisturizers may not effectively provide relief for rough skin. Using home remedies for severely dry skin is a simple, affordable option for lasting relief. A wide range of home remedies for cracked heels are available to soothe and heal, including these easy at-home treatment options.

There are some people who just have dry or thick skin naturally; however, others may have that thick, dry heel skin because of standing a lot at work, be overweight – which would put extra pressure on the feet causing the foot to expand, aging, wearing shoes that don’t fit well, vitamin deficiency, climate or disease can contribute to dry cracked feet.

callus on feet — Photo courtesy of Cushy Spa

1. Soak and Exfoliate Cracked Heels

Cracked heels are often accompanied by a layer of thick, hard skin, often called a callus, that slows the healing process. To remove the callus and dead skin cells and speed healing, soak feet in lukewarm water with essential oil and a cup of epsom salt for about thirty minutes, and gently scrub your heels with a pumice stone to remove the layer of dry skin.

Try these amazing foot soaks:

Tea Tree Oil Foot Soak

Peppermint Foot Soak Recipe

If a pumice stone is too rough, try using a loofah foot scrubber to scrub the dry skin away. After exfoliating with a pumice stone or loofah, you should immediately dry and moisturize your feet. Petroleum jelly is an excellent option that protects and moisturizes dry, cracked skin.

Put a layer of the petroleum jelly on each heel and put socks on to keep the moisturizer in place. Wear the socks overnight, or for as long as possible, to promote healing. If you prefer a more natural home remedy for cracked heels, you may find relief in your kitchen.

2. Naturally Healing Fruit Packs for cracked skin

Fruit packs are a simple option to treat cracked heels. To make a fruit pack, mash ripe bananas thoroughly, and spread the mashed fruit over your heels, and put socks on to keep the fruit pack in place. Leave the banana on your feet for at least 20 minutes and apply a moisturizer after washing the fruit pack off of your feet.

You can also leave the banana on overnight if you want to promote faster healing.

Other ways to use natural ingredients to heal cracked heels and increase skin oil production includes the following:

Rub some avocado oil onto your heels and put a pair of socks on your feet overnight. Avocado is a natural moisturizer and a natural humectant for dry feet.
Mix equal amounts of olive oil and oatmeal to make a thick paste which soothes irritation. The oatmeal contains anti-inflammatory properties and olive oil has antimicrobial properties.
Spread a thin layer of honey on each heel for an antimicrobial, antioxidant-rich home remedy that naturally speeds healing.

Massage your heels with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil to moisturize skin and help prevent both bacterial and fungal infections. You can leave most food-based home remedies on your feet overnight for faster symptom relief, but you may want to protect your bed and blankets with an extra sheet in case you lose your socks while you sleep. Your kitchen is full of home remedies for cracked heels, but other at-home treatments are available if you prefer a more traditional approach to healing.

3. Healing Pharmacy Finds

Using a liquid bandage are a must-have if cracked heels are painful. Use the liquid bandages according to the instructions on the package, and replace your cotton socks at least twice a day to keep the area clean and dry. You also need to use a moisturizer to prevent the dry skin that causes cracked heels.

Opt for heel balm that contains rich emollients like shea butter or cocoa butter if you want reliable moisturizing power.

4. Paraffin wax for cracked skin

This is also a simple treatment option. Melt the paraffin wax with an equal amount of coconut oil, then apply the mixture to each heel to form a protective layer over the cracked areas. Wear socks and leave the mixture on overnight for a super-moisturizing home remedy that can provide dry skin relief in just one treatment.

5. Preventing Dry Skin

You can take steps to prevent the dry skin that causes cracked heels. Some simple preventative methods include wearing shoes that cover your heel and drinking plenty of water to keep your skin well-hydrated. To prevent stripping your skin of naturally protective oils, use warm, rather than hot, water for showers and baths.

For best results, soak, exfoliate and moisturize your feet often as preventing moisture loss is the most effective way to prevent cracked heels. Add Epsom salt to warm water for a healing foot soak that encourages good circulation in your feet, or add apple cider vinegar to your foot soak to prevent infections if you currently have cracked heels.

Here are some more effective home remedies for cracked feet and heels:

Rub Vaseline or a good moisturizer on your feet before you go to bed and wear cotton socks over them. Your feet will feel much softer in the morning when you wake up.
Moisturize your feet while they are still wet. As soon as you step out of the shower or tub, rub your lotion on before you dry off. This can help retain the natural moisture in your feet.
Use a lotion that contains Vitamin E or aloe vera gel. These ingredients are known to help soothe the skin and are also helpful in replenishing the missing vitamins that can cause dry, cracked skin.
Avoid wearing wool socks. Wearing socks made from wool can suck out the natural moisturizers in your skin and make your feet feel dryer than before.
Do not wear shoes without socks if you already have dry, cracked heels. This only increases the discomfort and can cause the skin to crack more.
If your feet are prone to sweating a lot while in your shoes, try some medicated powder on them to soak up some of the moisture.

If you are one of the many who suffer from dry, cracked feet use some of the options above, or all of them if you’d like. Pick what works best for you and pretty soon your feet will start to feel softer and in most cases feel better. Every remedy will not work for every person, but every person can benefit from at least one of the remedies.

Taking care of your feet should be a top priority in your hygiene plan. Your feet take you every place you need to go and without good foot care techniques in your everyday care, your feet might just let you down one day. They are worth taking care of.

Home remedies for cracked heels can provide lasting relief using natural products and ingredients, offering you a simpler, safer approach to healing.