How to Fix Cracked Heels at Home in the Winter

Getting rid of cracked heels is not a major concern if they are not caused by a medical condition. Don’t worry; you can easily heal the condition at home.

Highlights
Cracked heels, also known as heel fissures, are a common condition that can cause pain, discomfort, and even infection.
They are caused by a combination of factors, including dry skin, pressure on the heels, and certain medical conditions.
While cracked heels can be treated by a podiatrist, there are also a number of home remedies that can help to heal them and prevent them from coming back.

In winter, your foot becomes cold and dry, and the dead skin around your foot turns hard and cracks. Moisturizing is the key treatment for dry skin and cracked heels. This is a common foot problem, especially in winter.

Most of the time, it can be minor, but if left untreated, it can be painful. Find out some useful home remedies and preventive measures for cracked heels by reading on.

Table of Contents

How to Fix Cracked Heels at Home/Home treatments for cracked heels

Winter weather can be especially harsh on your heels, making them dry, cracked, and painful. If you’re looking for ways to fix cracked heels at home in the winter.

The three fastest ways to heel your feet are soaking, scrubbing, and moisturising.

Listerine soak

Soaking your feet in Listerine will soften the hardened dead skin and make it easier to scrub off.

Ingredients	Procedure
Listerine Pumice stone	Soak your feet for 10–15 minutes in Listerine. Remove your feet and scrub using a pumice stone or foot file to remove dead cells. Rinse with clean water, pat dry, and moisturise. Repeat the procedure for up to 3–4 days until the dead skin wears off.

Homemade foot scrub

This scrub is used to soften your feet with less effort.

Ingredients	Procedure
Brown sugar, 2 tablespoons Lemon juice Honey, 1 tablespoon Olive oil, 1 tablespoon	Take a bowl and mix all the ingredients mentioned above to make a thick paste. Soak your feet in warm water for 10–15 minutes. Apply the paste and gently scrub in a circular motion. Rinse your feet and apply moisturiser.

Banana Foot Mask

Banana is an excellent moisturiser that leaves skin soft and smooth.

Ingredients	Procedure
Banana Lukewarm water	Take a banana and smash it, then apply the pulp to your feet. Wait 10–15 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water.

Wear socks to bed

Wearing socks in bed at night can help keep your feet moisturised overnight. This is especially helpful if you use a heavy moisturiser, such as petroleum jelly. The socks will help prevent the moisturiser from rubbing off on your sheets.

Home remedies for cracked heels

There are a number of home remedies that can help heal cracked heels. Some of the popular options include:

Apple cider vinegar soak: Add 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar to a basin of warm water and soak your feet for 10-15 minutes.
Honey mask: Apply a thick layer of honey to your heels and cover with socks. Leave the honey on overnight and wash it off in the morning.
Shea butter: Shea butter is a rich moisturiser that can help soften and heal cracked heels. Apply a generous amount of shea butter to your heels and massage it in until it is absorbed.
Oatmeal soak: Oatmeal is a natural exfoliant that can help to remove dead skin cells and soften the skin. Fill a basin with warm water and add 1/2 cup of oatmeal. Soak your feet for 10-15 minutes, then use the oatmeal to gently exfoliate your heels.
Oatmeal as an exfoliator: Oatmeal is a gentle exfoliator that can help to soften the skin and remove dead skin cells. Mix 1/2 cup of oatmeal with 1/2 cup of warm water to form a paste. Apply the paste to your heels and massage it in for a few minutes. Then Rinse it and apply a moisturiser.
Coconut oil: Coconut oil is a natural moisturiser that can help soften and heal the skin. Apply a generous amount of coconut oil to your heels and massage it in until it is absorbed.
Lemon juice: Dead skin cells can be removed naturally by using lemon juice as an exfoliator. Mix equal parts lemon juice and water and apply it to your heels with a cotton ball. Allow it to sit for five to ten minutes before washing it off with water.

If you have cracked heels, it is important to be patient. It may take some time for your heels to heal completely.

If you have cracked heels that are severe or do not improve with home treatment, see a podiatrist. They may recommend additional treatments, such as prescription medications or medical-grade exfoliation.

Here is the video of home remedies for Cracked heels

Causes of cracked heels

There are many reasons for cracked heels, but the main reason is insufficient moisture. Cracked heels can be caused by a combination of lifestyle, environmental, and medical factors.

Lifestyle and Environmental Causes of Cracked Heels

Certain lifestyle and environmental factors can also increase your risk of developing cracked heels. These include:

Standing for long periods of time and exposing one’s feet to the environment can both lead to cracked feet.
Overexposure of your feet to water, excessively hot showers, or baths
Less humidity in the surrounding area or living in a dry climate
Being overweight can be one of the causes, as it causes excess pressure on the feet.
Using harsh soaps or detergents may be the cause of a cracked heel.
Wearing uncomfortable footwear or open-backed footwear may also result in cracked heels.

Respond to lifestyle factors.

To reduce your risk of cracked heels caused by lifestyle factors, you can:

Apply a moisturiser to your feet regularly, especially your heels.
Avoid wearing open-back shoes or sandals.
If you stand for long periods of time, take breaks to sit down and elevate your feet.
Wear comfortable shoes that fit well.

Medical Causes of Cracked Heels

In some cases, cracked heels can be caused by a medical condition. Some of the most common medical causes of cracked heels include:

Diabetes
Eczema
Psoriasis
Hypothyroidism
Obesity
Arthritis

Respond to medical conditions.

If you have a medical condition that is contributing to your cracked heels, it is important to work with your doctor to manage your condition. This may involve taking medications, using special foot care products, or making other lifestyle changes.

By addressing the underlying cause of your cracked heels, you can help prevent them from coming back.

Symptoms of cracked heels

The physical appearance of cracked skin is shown in the heels. But it also has the following symptoms:

Itchiness
roughness
flaky skin
redness and swelling
bleeding from cracks
Pain and discomfort

Prevention for cracked heels

The best way to prevent cracked heels is to keep your feet clean and moisturized.There are many tips you can follow to prevent yourself from getting cracked heels.

Proper moisturization is the first step to preventing dry heels.
wearing comfortable shoes and refraining from excessive walking.
Avoiding overexposure to pollution is one of the easiest ways to prevent cracked heels.
Regularly scrubbing your heels with a pumice stone and soaking them in warm salt water.
Relaxing your feet and indulging in foot massages with oil also prevent dryness and cracked heels.

When Should You See a Doctor About Cracked Heels?

You should see a doctor about cracked heels if:

The cracks are deep or painful.
The cracks are bleeding.
The cracks are accompanied by other symptoms, such as redness, swelling, or discharge.
You have a medical condition that can cause cracked heels, such as diabetes or eczema.
Home treatment has not been effective.

Medical Treatments for Cracked Heels

If you have cracked heels that are severe or do not improve with home treatment, your doctor may recommend medical treatments, such as:

Prescription medications, such as urea cream or salicylic acid cream
Medical-grade exfoliation

How to Deal with Cracked Heels

Here are a few tips on how to deal with cracked heels:

Avoid wearing open-back shoes or sandals. Open-back shoes and sandals can dry out your heels and make them more likely to crack.
If you stand for long periods of time, take breaks to sit down and elevate your feet. This will help to reduce the pressure on your heels. Keep your feet away from strong soaps and detergents.
These can dry out your skin and make your heels more likely to crack.
Apply moisturiser to your feet regularly. This will help to keep your skin hydrated and prevent it from drying out and cracking.
If you have cracked heels that are severe or do not improve with home treatment, see a doctor. They may recommend additional treatments, such as prescription medications or medical-grade exfoliation.

By following these tips, you can help to heal your cracked heels and prevent them from coming back.

Which oil is best for cracked heels?

The best oil for cracked heels is coconut oil. Coconut oil is a natural moisturiser that can help soften the skin and reduce cracking. It contains lauric acid, which has antimicrobial properties. This can help prevent infection in cracked heels.
Other oils that can be helpful for cracked heels include:

Olive oil

Jojoba oil

Avocado oil

Vitamin E oil

Which cream is best for foot cracks?

There are a number of creams that can be helpful for foot cracks. The most popular options include:

When choosing a cream for foot cracks, look for one that is thick and creamy and contains ingredients such as urea, salicylic acid, or alpha-hydroxy acids. These ingredients can help to further soften the skin and remove dead skin cells.

How to Heal Cracked Feet Overnight

There are a few things you can do to soften your feet overnight:
Here is a specific overnight treatment you can try:

Mix oatmeal and honey in a 1:2 ratio.
Apply the mixture to your heels and cover them with socks.
Leave the treatment on overnight and wash it off in the morning.

The honey will help to soften and moisturise the skin, while the oatmeal will help to exfoliate dead skin cells.

FAQ’s

Can lemons remove cracked heels?

Lemon can help to remove cracked heels by exfoliating the skin and removing dead skin cells. However, it is important to note that lemon juice can be irritating to the skin. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to avoid using lemon juice on your heels.

To use lemon juice to remove cracked heels, mix equal parts lemon juice and water. Apply the mixture to your heels and let it sit for 5–10 minutes. Rinse the mixture off with warm water and apply a moisturiser.

Can I put toothpaste on cracked heels?

Toothpaste is sometimes used as a home remedy for cracked heels. There isn’t any evidence of its use, In fact, toothpaste can contain harsh ingredients that can irritate the skin.

If you do decide to try using toothpaste for cracked heels, be sure to use a mild toothpaste that does not contain any abrasive ingredients. Apply a thin layer of toothpaste to your heels and leave it on for 10–15 minutes before rinsing it off.

What deficiency causes cracked heels?

A deficiency of vitamin A, vitamin C, or zinc can cause cracked heels. These nutrients are essential for healthy skin. If you are deficient in any of these nutrients, you may be more likely to develop cracked heels.

Is coconut oil good for cracked heels?

Yes, coconut oil is good for cracked heels. It is a natural moisturiser that can help soften the skin and reduce cracking. Lauric acid, which has antibacterial effects is a component of coconut oil that can help prevent infection in cracked heels.

To use coconut oil for cracked heels, simply apply a generous amount to your heels and massage it in until it is absorbed. Do this once or twice a day. You can also wear socks to bed after applying coconut oil to your heels. This will help to keep your feet moisturised overnight.

Can Vitamin C Help Cracked Heels?

Yes, vitamin C can help with cracked heels.Antioxidant vitamin C Protects the skin damage. It also helps to produce collagen, which is a protein that is essential for healthy skin.
To get more vitamin C, you can eat foods that are rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, berries, and tomatoes orelse add vitamin C supplement in your diet.

Join Whatsapp Channel	Join Now
Join Telegram Group	Join Now

Conclusion:

When the bottom of the feet and heel become too dry, it results in a painful crack. This crack may lead to bleeding or infections. Treating an earlier state only gives better results. Regular moisturising may prevent the foot from drying and cracking.

Save this pin to Pinterest for easy access next time!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through the product links provided in this blog post. This implies when you choose to use the link, I might receive a small commission—at no extra cost to you.

Disclaimer: The only goal of all the content on greenspacelife.com is informational. It is not meant to replace any medical guidance, diagnosis, or treatment.

Also Read:

Source:

Greenspacelife’s articles are supported by high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Share on Facebook

Post on X

Save