10 Most Effective Home Remedies For Cracked Heels

Hi friends, As you all know that Cracked Heels degrade the beauty of heels, Let us see how to treat them effectively at home through simple remedies.

Cracked heels are a common occurrence that causes much discomfort for people. Cracked heels spring from a condition called xerosis. Xerosis is actually dryness of foot. Absence of moisture turns the foot excessively dry and rough and this leads to the development of cracks or fissures around the rim of the heel. The development of cracks is preceded by thickening of skin at the heel. The thick skin is known as calluses. It is a patch of thick, discolored skin, usually yellow or brown in color. Soon fissures or cracks become evident in the callus.

These fissures cut deep in to the dermis due to pressure on standing and pain a lot. Sometimes the skin may even start to bleed aggravating the pain. If bacteria, dirt or dust enter the heel fissures, an infection may develop further complicating the matter. Neglecting foot care exacerbates cracked heel condition. The causes of cracked heels may be listed as follows:

1. Possessing naturally dry skin
2. Aging
3. Prolonged standing on hard surfaces
4. Being overweight and increased pressure on the normal fat pad due to it.
5. Wearing open back or thin soled shoes
6. Improper gait
7. Medical conditions like diabetes, hypothyroidism etc.
8. Skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, Athlete's foot etc.
9. Flat feet or high arches on feet
10. Faulty alignment of metatarsal bones
11. Surgical procedure in the lower extremities
12. Habit of soaking feet in hot fuming water
13. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
14. Dry, humid weather conditions.

Home Remedies

1. Soak your feet in a basin of warm water for 10-15 minutes. Then use pumice stone to scrub off the dead skin on your heel. After this, apply Vitamin E oil on the heels and wear a pair of soft cotton socks to seal in the oil coat. Repeat this remedy for few days at a stretch. You will surely notice a marked improvement in the condition of your heels.

2. Generous application of cocoa butter on heel fissures mends them.

3. Prepare a homemade foot scrubber. Mix table salt or sugar with baby oil and scrub your heels with it. This will remove the thick dead skin from the heels and will prevent the development of cracks.

4. Apply a mixture of coconut oil and melted pure wax on heel cracks daily. This will cause them to disappear soon.

5. Mingle melted paraffin wax and mustard oil. Apply the mixture on the cracks at bedtime. Then wear a pair of clean socks to allow the mixture to settle on cracks overnight. Rinse thoroughly in the morning. This will zip the heel cracks in no time.

6. Simply soaking feet in warm salt water eases the pain and discomfort caused by cracked heels. It also keeps germs away, thereby preventing infection.

7. Dust the cracked heels with talcum powder before wearing shoes. This reduces friction and checks the worsening of cracks.

8. Mix honey, olive oil and a pinch of turmeric powder. Apply the mixture on cracked heels. This sufficiently moisturizes heels, zips the cracks and fights infection causing bacteria.

9. Massage the gaping heel cracks with cucumber juice. This will heal them fast.

10. Application of ripe banana pulp on heel cracks is a good curative measure.

11. Apply a combination of glycerin and rose water on heel cracks regularly to get rid of them.

12. Walk bare foot on green grass. This is beneficial in treating cracked heels.

Final Thoughts

Cracked heels are usually linked to dry, thickened skin and repeated pressure or friction on the feet. A consistent foot-care routine can often improve mild cases. Rather than relying on harsh scrubbing or unproven mixtures, focus on gently softening the skin, moisturizing regularly, and protecting the heels from further friction.

Soaking the feet briefly in lukewarm water, gently removing excess thick skin, and applying a rich moisturizer can help restore softness. For particularly dry heels, products containing urea, lactic acid, or salicylic acid may be more effective than ordinary body lotions. Wearing comfortable, well-fitting footwear and avoiding prolonged exposure to very hot water can also help prevent recurrence.

If cracks are deep, painful, bleeding, or showing signs of infection, home treatment may not be enough. Persistent or recurrent cracked heels can sometimes be associated with underlying skin or medical conditions, so professional evaluation is worthwhile.

Disclaimer

This article is provided for general educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Home remedies described here may not be appropriate for everyone, and evidence for some traditional remedies is limited.

Avoid applying potentially irritating substances to deep, bleeding, or infected cracks. Do not aggressively cut or shave thickened heel skin yourself, as this can cause injury and increase the risk of infection.

People with diabetes, poor circulation, reduced sensation in the feet, or other conditions affecting wound healing should be particularly careful with cracked or broken skin and should consult a healthcare professional rather than relying solely on home treatment.

Seek medical advice if the cracks are deep, bleeding, increasingly painful, swollen, warm, producing discharge, or failing to improve with regular foot care.

 

5 Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the fastest way to heal cracked heels?

For mild cracked heels, regularly applying a thick moisturizer can help soften and repair dry skin. Creams containing urea, alpha-hydroxy acids, or salicylic acid can be particularly useful for thick, dry skin. Applying moisturizer after bathing and before bedtime helps maintain hydration.

2. Should I soak my feet if I have cracked heels?

A short soak in lukewarm water can soften thickened skin, but prolonged soaking—especially in hot water—can worsen dryness. Afterward, gently pat the feet dry and apply a moisturizing cream or ointment while the skin is still slightly damp.

3. Is it safe to use a pumice stone on cracked heels?

A pumice stone can be used gently on thick, intact skin, but avoid aggressive rubbing. Do not use it directly over deep, painful, bleeding, or infected cracks. Never cut away calluses with a blade or other sharp instrument.

4. When should cracked heels be checked by a doctor?

Seek professional advice if your heels are deeply cracked, bleeding, swollen, painful, warm, or producing pus, or if they do not improve with consistent moisturizing and foot care. People with diabetes or circulation problems should seek advice sooner because foot wounds may require special care.

5. How can I prevent cracked heels from coming back?

Moisturize your heels every day, particularly after bathing and before bed. Wear comfortable, supportive footwear that protects the heel, avoid prolonged hot-water soaking, and avoid walking barefoot on hard surfaces when your heels are prone to cracking. Regular maintenance is usually more effective than waiting until the cracks become severe.