Cracking feet, also known as heel fissures, can be seen in people of all ages. It is a common problem that occurs throughout the year, especially during winters and dry weather. Dryness of the skin on your feet and soles can result in cracking and peeling of the skin, causing pain and itchiness that can worsen when infection sets in as a result of open invitation to bacteria.
Wearing open sandals and slippers, low hygiene, standing for long hours on hard floors, and certain health conditions can cause dry, cracking feet. Women face this problem more as they wear stylish sandals and their skin is softer than men’s. If you do not take care at early stages, the cracking feet can develop serious infections resulting in painful fissures that might bleed and make it difficult to even walk properly.
Various medications are available to treat cracking feet, but natural treatments are very cheap, simple, handy and effective in treating and preventing this condition effectively. Regular application of these remedies will provide you with long term and permanent solutions.
Natural Treatments For Cracking Feet
Rose Water Foot Mask
If your feet tend to crack often, this is the best natural treatment for preventing cracking feet as well as to cure them. In a basin of warm water, ass lemon juice, rose water, glycerine and a little salt. Mix it well and dip your feet in the basin. Soak your feet for about fifteen minutes. After this scrub off the dry skin using a pumice stone, scrubber, or a foot file.
Alternately, you can make a paste of above ingredients as a foot mask and apply all over your feet, especially the heels, and scrub after sometime. You can even apply this mask at night, wear socks over it and wash off in the morning. This should be done for a few days in order to treat cracking feet and make them smooth.
Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oils help to moisturize your cracking feet and can be used as an effective and easy natural treatment. Olive oil, coconut oil, or other vegetable oils can be used for this purpose. Wash your feet well with lukewarm water first, and then apply vegetable oil all over your heels and feet.
Wear socks and go to bed as this allows good penetration on the cracking areas. Wash off with lukewarm water in the morning. Regular application will prevent the dryness on the skin and help prevent cracking feet.
Banana And Avocado Foot Mask
Cracking feet can be very painful and the application of a banana and avocado foot mask can be used as a natural treatment for it. Blend together a ripe banana and an avocado and apply this paste all over your cracking feet.
Wash it off after about fifteen minutes with lukewarm water. This helps moisturize your feet and even prevents cracked feet if applied regularly.
Lemon
Lemons can be used as a natural treatment for cracking feet. Add some lemon juice to a bucket of lukewarm water and soak your feet in it for fifteen minutes.
The acidic property of lemon helps to prevent any infections in the affected areas and this soak is beneficial in moisturizing your skin as well. Use a pumice stone afterwards to scrub off the dead skin, and then dry your feet with a towel.
Honey
Honey is one of the most effective natural treatments for cracking feet due to its antibacterial and moisturizing properties. You can simply add a cup of honey to a basin of lukewarm water and soak your feet in it for fifteen minutes. Scrub your feet after this to remove the dead skin.
Honey helps moisturize the dry skin on your feet and prevents any infections in the cracking feet. You can also make a foot scrub using honey, rice flour and apple cider vinegar. A tablespoon of olive oil should also be added to this natural scrub. This remedy is also very effective in treating cracked feet.
Margosa Leaves
Margosa, or neem, leaves can be used as an effective natural treatment for cracking feet. Its fungicidal properties are very useful in treating deeply cracked feet as it helps treat and prevent infections. Make a fine paste of some margosa leaves and add 2-3 teaspoons of turmeric powder to this paste.
Apply on your cracking feet and wash after half an hour with warm water. Doing this twice a day will help prevent the problem completely, especially as soon as your feet show the first signs of cracking.
Homeopathic Treatment
Homeopathy makes use of natural medicines and certain homeopathic medicines can also be used to treat cracking feet quite effectively. The most commonly used ones are antim crud, acid nit, bacillinum, hepar sulph, apis mel, merc sol, carbo animalis, etc.
These medicines are very safe to take and require no prescription. However, check with your homeopath for the correct use and dosage as homeopathic medicines are used symptomatically.
HygieneÂ
Cracked feet often develop due to neglect and poor hygiene. When you do not wash your feet regularly, especially after dust settles on them due to wearing the wrong kind of shoes, this lack of foot care can cause cracking feet that are very painful.
So, it’s important to maintain proper hygiene in order to avoid this condition. You should wash your feet daily and keep them well moisturized in order to prevent cracking feet. Avoid walking and standing for long hours barefoot, and wear comfortable shoes. Avoid wearing open back sandals, especially if you are going to walk in dirt.
Proper Nutrition
One of the best and most important natural treatments that you should ensure for cracking feet is to have good nutrition. A diet rich in omega3 fatty acids is excellent for people of often develop cracking feet. Fresh vegetables, whole grain cereals, and nuts will do you a lot of good. Cook your food in healthy oils and sprinkle some olive oil over your salads.
Cracking feet condition can get worse due to lack of zinc, iron, calcium and vitamin C deficiencies. So, eat foods that are rich in these essential vitamins and minerals, and take supplements if necessary. Also, drink plenty of water throughout the day as dehydration can make your skin dry which can worsen the condition of cracking feet.
Caution: Please use Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.
