It is bright and sunny outside and you are all set to go out dressed perfectly from head to toe in your trendiest outfit but unfortunately have to compromise with your footwear.
You cannot wear those fancy flip flops or the high heeled shoes or those beautiful sandals because they would reveal your unattractive cracked heels. The lack of foot care this winter has wrecked havoc on your feet.
Medically known as heel fissures, cracked heel may not be a disorder. But when the cracks or fissures get deep, they may become painful and in worst cases may even bleed leading to infection and other complexities. As they say it is better late than never, stop worrying now and follow these simple and easy home remedies to repair your cracked heels and brace yourself to show off your gorgeous feet this summer.
Best Home Remedies for Cracked Heels
Little bit of care and attention is what your cracked heels need to get back those soft and smooth feet.
Banana Pack
Wash and pat dry your feet. Mash a fully ripe banana and apply it on the cracked area of your heel. Leave it for 10-15 minutes and wash it off. It provides quick healing.
If the cracks are more serious, mix half an avocado or half a coconut into mashed banana. Blend them together into a paste and apply the same way. The essential oils, minerals and vitamins present in Avocado and coconut nourish the dry feet skin and prevent further cracking. If banana is unavailable, you can use ripe papaya in the same way.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera, a miracle plant has marvelous medicinal properties. It is one of the best known ingredients to cure dry and cracked heels. Take fresh aloe vera gel and rub against the cracked heels. It reduces the burning and itching sensation of the cracked heels.
Its anti-inflammatory property reduces the swelling and pain. Anti-oxidant and antiseptic properties help keep the open sores clean thus facilitating in proper healing. If the cracks are deep mix turmeric, tulsi and camphor in equal parts with aloe vera gel and apply on the heels. It gives a lot of relief.
Oil Treatment
Various vegetable oils are used to treat the cracked heel effectively. Age old formula is to massage your heels with coconut oil every night before going to bed. You can use sesame oil, mustard oil, almond oil, olive oil or any hydrogenated vegetable oil to massage. Wear a pair of socks after applying oil. Follow this schedule for a week without fail and you will definitely see positive results.
Lemon Therapy
This simple remedy with lemon is very effective in getting rid of your cracked heels. Fill 1/4th of the bucket with water. Squeeze a lemon in it. Soak your feet for 15 minutes. Then take out and gently rub with pumice stone and wash with soap.
The acidic property of lemon juice helps in clearing the cracked heels by dissolving and removing off the dead and dry skin. It also helps in speeding up the subsequent recovery of the skin. Continue it until you see an improvement.
Natural Exfoliation
Regularly exfoliating your feet is one of the secrets to get soft and gentle heels. Instead of using harsh cosmetics prepare a natural exfoliation scrub at home using honey, apple cider vinegar and rice flour. Coarse grind the rice (about 2-3 table spoon), add equal quantity of honey and apple cider vinegar to make it a thick paste. If the cracks are severe you can add a spoon of olive oil or almond oil. Soak your feet in warm water for 15 minutes, and then gently massage your feet using the freshly prepared scrub.
Paraffin Wax
This may sound strange but it has proved effective in curing cracked heel fissures. Melt paraffin wax and mix it well with few drops of mustard oil or coconut oil so as to form a thick paste. You can use the regular candle for this. Apply the paste on the cracked area after washing your feet. Keep it overnight and wash it off in the morning. Try this remedy for 10 to 15 days for desirable results.
Glycerine and Rose Water
Lack of moisturizing is one of the major factors for the dry and cracked heels. Glycerine is a humectant meaning it helps in retaining moisture. Prepare a mixture of 3 table spoon of glycerine with 1 table spoon of rose water and apply it on the cracked areas. The regular application soothes and cures the dryness and prevents cracking of heels. You can add raw salt and lemon juice to the above mixture for more effective results. Follow this regime for a week and you will be surprised to see the soft and smoother heels.
Ghee / Clarified Butter
Apply Ghee or clarified butter to the cracked heels after soaking your feet in warm water for 15 minutes. Wear a pair of socks before sleeping. Follow this routine for a week and you can see the dryness vanishing and smooth crack free heels.
Shampoo Your Feet
It is one of the simplest and easiest remedies to work out the cracked heel problem. Before retiring for the day, take some warm water in a tub or bucket and add some shampoo to it. Foam it nicely and soak your feet in the tub for 15 to 20 minutes. Gently scrub the cracked area with pumice stone or a scrubber.
By now the skin would have become soft and rubbing will remove most of the dead skin. Take out your feet, pat dry them and apply petroleum jelly or any moisturizer. Wear a pair of socks which will retain the moisturizer.
Drinking Water
Drink lots of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated. Heel fissures are a result of dehydration and lack of moisture in the body. Water keeps the skin softer and heels crack free. Along with drinking more water, consume fruits and vegetables which have high water content. It is best to avoid tea, coffee and alcohol as they can lead to dehydration in the body.
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.
