How Can I Treat Cracked Heels: A Guide to Soft, Healthy Heels

How Can I Treat Cracked Heels: A Guide to Soft, Healthy Heels

Cracked heels can be more than just a cosmetic issue. If left untreated, they can become painful, lead to infections, and make walking uncomfortable. Many people experience dry, rough heels due to weather changes, improper footwear, or medical conditions. Fortunately, there are plenty of effective solutions, from home remedies to specialized treatments. If you’ve been wondering, “How can I treat cracked heels?” this guide will help you find the best solutions for soft, healthy feet.

Understanding Cracked Heels

Cracked heels, or heel fissures, occur when the skin on the bottom of the heel becomes excessively dry and thick, causing it to split. While cracked heels are usually harmless, deep fissures can become painful and even lead to infections like cellulitis.

The skin on the heel is naturally thicker to absorb pressure from walking and standing. However, when it becomes too dry, it loses elasticity and begins to crack. Various factors contribute to this problem, including lifestyle habits, environmental conditions, and certain medical issues.

What Causes Cracked Heels?

There are several reasons why your heels may become dry and cracked. Common causes include:

  • Wearing open-heeled shoes, such as sandals, that expose your feet to the elements
  • Taking long, hot showers or baths, which strip natural oils from your skin
  • Using harsh soaps that dry out your skin
  • Walking barefoot or standing for long periods on hard surfaces
  • Cold, dry weather, which makes the skin more prone to cracking

Medical Conditions Causing Cracked Heels

Certain medical conditions can increase the risk of cracked heels, including:

  1. Hypothyroidism: When the body produces fewer hormones, it can lead to excessively dry skin, making the heels more prone to cracking.
  2. Juvenile plantar dermatosis: A skin condition that primarily affects children, causing dry, shiny, and cracked skin on the soles of the feet.
  3. Sjögren’s syndrome: A chronic autoimmune disorder that reduces moisture production in the body, leading to dryness in the skin, including the heels.
  4. Athlete’s foot: A fungal infection that can cause itching, peeling, and cracking of the skin, particularly between the toes and on the heels.
  5. Heel spurs: Bony outgrowths that develop on the heel bone, putting additional pressure on the skin and causing it to thicken and crack.
  6. Diabetes: Individuals with diabetes are particularly vulnerable to foot complications. Diabetic neuropathy, a form of nerve damage, affects the body's ability to regulate moisture and oil production, leading to excessive dryness and an increased risk of deep cracks and infections

Home Remedies for Curing Cracked Feet

If you're searching for how to soften the heel of the foot, there are several natural ways to heal cracked heels.

  1. Heel Balms and Moisturizers

One of the best ways to soften rough heels is to use a foot moisturizer or heel balm. These products contain ingredients like urea, salicylic acid, and alpha-hydroxy acids, which help exfoliate dead skin and deeply hydrate the heels. Applying a heel balm in the morning and reapplying throughout the day can make a big difference in restoring softness.

  1. Soaking and Exfoliating

Soaking your feet in warm, soapy water for about 20 minutes can help soften dry skin, making it easier to remove with a pumice stone or foot scrubber. After exfoliating, apply a thick moisturizer and seal it in with petroleum jelly or a foot cream. Wearing socks overnight can help lock in moisture and speed up healing.

  1. Liquid Bandage for Deep Cracks

If your cracks are deep and painful, a liquid bandage can help protect them from infections and further damage. This spray-on solution seals the cracks, allowing them to heal more effectively. Some people even use a small amount of super glue to hold deep cracks together, but this should only be done with medical approval.

Natural Ways to Heal Cracked Heels

If you prefer natural remedies, several household ingredients can help soften and repair cracked heels:

  • Honey: With antibacterial and moisturizing properties, honey can be used as a foot mask overnight or a scrub after a soak.
  • Coconut Oil: Known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, coconut oil helps retain moisture and protect cracked heels from infections.
  • Olive Oil and Shea Butter: These natural oils deeply hydrate the skin, improving its softness and elasticity.
  • Vinegar Foot Soak: A mild acidic soak with vinegar helps exfoliate dead skin while restoring the skin's pH balance.
  • Mashed Bananas: A natural moisturizer, mashed bananas can be applied as a foot mask to nourish dry, cracked skin.
  • Paraffin Wax Treatment: Seals moisture into the skin, helping repair cracks more quickly.

When to See a Doctor

If your cracked heels persist despite home treatment or become painful, swollen, or infected, you should consult a doctor or podiatrist.

Medical treatments for severe cracked heels may include:

  1. Strapping: Bandages or dressings to keep the skin from further cracking.
  2. Debridement: A professional procedure to remove thick, dead skin safely.
  3. Prescription Creams: Stronger moisturizers with higher concentrations of urea or salicylic acid.
  4. Skin Glue: Medical-grade glue to close deep cracks.
  5. Shoe Inserts: Custom insoles that help distribute weight evenly to reduce pressure on the heels.

How to Prevent Cracked Heels

Prevention is the best approach to maintaining soft and healthy feet. Taking care of your feet daily can help you avoid painful cracks in the future.

  1. Check Your Feet Daily: If you have diabetes or another condition that affects circulation, inspect your feet for early signs of dryness or cracks.
  2. Wash and Moisturize Regularly: Use warm water to clean your feet and apply a thick moisturizer, focusing on the heels. You can also wear moisturizing gel socks overnight to keep your feet hydrated.
  3. Trim Your Toenails Properly: Cutting nails straight across helps prevent foot problems like ingrown toenails.
  4. Wear Supportive Shoes: Choose footwear that provides cushioning and protection to prevent excessive pressure on the heels. 
  5. Protect Against Extreme Temperatures: Wear proper footwear on hot pavement or cold surfaces, and use sunscreen on exposed feet.

Conclusion

Cracked heels may be a common problem, but they don’t have to be a permanent one. With simple home remedies, like heel balms, natural moisturizers, and regular exfoliation, you can restore softness and comfort to your feet. If you’ve been searching for rough heel solutions or wondering how to soften the heel of the foot, making a few small changes to your routine can make all the difference.

For an easy and effective solution, try Miracle of Aloe’s Miracle Foot Repair Cream. With 60% pure UltraAloe, it deeply moisturizes, softens, and repairs even the roughest heels. Give your feet the care they deserve with Miracle of Aloe’s UltraAloe-based organic foot care products. 

FAQs

What are natural ways to heal cracked heels?

Applying coconut oil, aloe vera gel, shea butter, or honey can deeply hydrate and repair cracked skin. These natural ingredients help restore moisture, promote healing, and prevent further dryness.

What are home remedies for cracked feet?

Soaking feet in warm water with Epsom salt or lemon juice, exfoliating with a pumice stone, and using natural scrubs like oatmeal or rice flour can help remove dead skin. Following up with a thick moisturizer like petroleum jelly or glycerin ensures long-lasting hydration.

What are solutions for rough heels?

Keeping feet moisturized with oils or foot creams, wearing socks overnight to lock in moisture, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding walking barefoot can prevent rough, dry heels. Using a humidifier in dry environments also helps maintain skin hydration.

Sources:

  1. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/dry-heels 
  2. https://www.healthline.com/health/cracked-heel-heal 
  3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-skin/expert-answers/cracked-heels-treatment/faq-20455140 
  4. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/what-to-know-cracked-heels 
  5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3611628/ 

 

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