4 Amazing Home Remedies for Cracked Heels

Cracked heels are never fun.

You won’t be able to wear your favorite pair of fit flops or sandals without getting too conscious about your feet or getting those awkward stares from other people. And if not attended to right away, your cracked heels can get deeper over time and this result in bleeding and infections.

If you have diabetes or circulatory problems, things can get so much worse.

To make sure none of those awful things happen, here are some of the most effective remedies for cracked heels you can do at home.

1. Use a foot file

Foot files can be intimidating to use but, trust us, they are great in buffing away hard dry skin and calluses.

If it’s your first time to pick one, choose the sandpaper type as it’s the easiest to use. It’s also the gentlest type and you can use it even on dry skin.

The metal scraper type is also good, but it can be quite abrasive. You can end up with skin that’s raw and red if you fail to prep your skin properly.

When using a foot file, it’s best to use slow movements than quickly scrubbing and scraping your heels with hard pressure.

2. Rub lemon on your heels

You can do this in two ways.

You can take a slice of lemon and directly rub it on your heels. Lemon has natural acids that can help with exfoliation.

To get the best results, make sure to leave the juice on your heels for a good 5 minutes.

Another trick is to use petroleum jelly and grated lemon peels. You have to freeze the lemon first before grating its peel. Once you have enough grated peel, mix it with petroleum jelly until it turns into a cream.

Rub the mixture on your heels and wrap your feet with a cloth. Allow the mixture to work overnight.

3. Soak your feet in vinegar solution

Fill a basin with hot water, vinegar, and your shower gel. Soak your feet in that basin for 10 to 15 minutes. Make sure it’s not too hot or you’ll end up with burnt skin.

The shower gel can help get rid of the dirt on your feet. Vinegar, on the other hand, contains acid that can loosen the bond of your dead skin cells.

After 15 minutes and while your feet are still inside the basin, get a brush or a pumice stone and gently buff your heels. You should also pay attention to the other areas of your feet that have calluses and hard skin.

Rinse your feet as usual and pat dry after.

Now, get a metal filer to remove the remaining calluses and dead skin cells. The skin is soft while it’s damp. This can make it easier for you to remove the calluses without damaging your skin.

4. Apply Boroline cream

Get a Boroline cream into a spoon and melt it. You can place the spoon over a candle to make the process easier. Once the cream has melted, you can apply it on your cracked heels and other affected areas.

Boroline is a night cream that’s formulated to repair rough and dry skin as you sleep. To get the best results, cover your feet with a plastic wrap and put on a pair of socks.

To permanently get rid of your cracked heels, keep doing these steps for at least 7 days. It can take a lot of effort and time but with the results you’ll get, it will all be worth it.

Watch this video

Overwhelmed? See how each step is done in this quick tutorial.

Best Tips To Prevent Cracked Heels

Now that you’ve gotten rid of your cracked heels, you have to pay a closer attention to your feet to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Here’s what you can do:

Moisturize

The skin on your heels doesn’t have too many sweat glands which is why it’s often rough and dry. Make sure to apply a good foot cream to give your heels some TLC.

Relieve pressure

If you spend a good amount of time standing at home or at work, it can take a toll on your poor heels. Be sure to take time off once in awhile and sit down to give your feet some rest. You can also invest in a good pair of shoes to make sure your feet are properly supported.

Lose weight

If you are overweight or obese, your weight can increase the pressure on your feet as you walk or stand up. As the pressure increases, the more prone you become in developing cracked heels.

Keep your feet dry

Exposing your feet in damp areas like your bathroom for too long can strip its skin off of its natural oils. This can leave the skin dry and dehydrated which can cause it to crack.

Scrub your heels regularly

Like the rest of your body, your heels also get dead skin cells. If you don’t buff or exfoliate the area regularly, those cells can accumulate and get hard. To ensure that doesn’t happen, keep a pumice stone in your bathroom and use it twice or thrice a week to maintain soft feet.

Relax your feet

Indulge your feet with occasional foot massages. You can use oil to prevent dryness and cracking.

Drink plenty of water

Keeping yourself hydrated is one good way to keep your skin supple and elastic. Aim to drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water every day. You can increase your intake if you know you’ll be exposed to hot weather or you’ll be engaging in a strenuous activity.

Don’t include carbonated drinks, coffee or tea when counting your glasses. Make sure it’s all water.