Extra virgin olive oil is also a good remedy to soften, dry and cracked heels. With a cotton ball, apply some virgin olive oil to your heels and massage them in a circular motion for 15 minutes. Leave the oil on your feet and put on a pair of socks for an hour and then wash it off.
Olive Oil: Olive oil is one of the best oils which has numerous skin benefits. Massage your feet with olive oil after taking bath and before going to bed. It moisturises the feet and also softens it. This prevents the skin from becoming dry and rough.
4. If you have dry feet try this before bed - apply a good amount of olive oil on your feet, massage it in, and put on a thick pair of socks. When you wake up in the morning your feet will be noticeably softer.
Olive oil is ideal as a skin softener and is suitable for using on hard, callused feet.
Cracked heels are a common condition that usually aren't a cause for concern. Vitamin C, vitamin B-3, and vitamin E deficiencies may contribute to dry, cracked heels. However, these vitamin deficiencies are rare in developed countries. Other conditions like athlete's foot or eczema may also lead to cracked heels.
Heels can crack when the skin around the rim of your heel becomes dry and thick, and increased pressure on the fat pad under the heel causes the skin to split. A number of factors can raise the risk of developing cracked heels, including obesity, wearing open-heel footwear such as sandals, and having cold, dry skin.
While walking barefoot where your feet are exposed to dust and hard floors can cause heel cracking and those with conditions such as diabetes and arthritis are more susceptible to it.
In most cases, cracked heels are not indicative of any sort of underlying health disorder. However, they can be a sign of dehydration, skin conditions, fungal infection, hypothyroidism, and a rare condition known as Sjogren's syndrome.
The most common causes of dry, cracked heels includes the following: medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes, eczema, hypothyroidism, Sjögren's syndrome, juvenile plantar dermatosis, infections such as athlete's foot, biomechanical factors such as flat feet, heel spurs, or standing for long periods of time, ...
Use an Overnight Treatment – Vaseline® Jelly can be used as an effective overnight cosmetic treatment for dry, cracked feet and heels as it helps create a sealing barrier, locking in the essential moisture your feet need to repair themselves .
Amazingly, in a couple of applications, deep and painful cracks healed. The only drawback: The cracks return if I stop. Vicks VapoRub contains many essential oils in a base of petroleum jelly. If plain petrolatum (such as Vaseline) doesn't help your cracked heels, the essential oils might be playing a role.
'Coconut oil is excellent for cracked heels. It contains a high concentration of vitamin E and natural proteins that help repair damaged skin cells,' says Natalie. 'It also contains natural lauric acid, which has both antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.
One of the most common techniques podiatrists use to remove fissures is called debriding. During a debriding procedure, a podiatrist uses a small scalpel or similar tool to scrape and cut away dried-out and damaged skin. Sometimes, they may also use a small, sander-like device to further wear down fissures.
Socks keep your feet drier.
It's a common misconception that socks cause sweat. In fact, activity does, and no matter how you slice it, feet just have a lot of sweat glands. Socks actually keep your feet drier by absorbing some of this excess moisture.
When skin is too moist, you may get a bacterial or fungal infection. This can cause cracks between the toes. People who often walk barefoot or wear open shoes are at risk for dry skin. People who wear shoes without socks or shoes and socks that don't breathe well are at risk for moist skin problems.
In severe cases, cracked heels can become infected, and lead to cellulitis. This must be treated with the elevation of the area, debridement of dead tissue, and antibiotics.
Vaseline is a petroleum by-product and it certainly does have many properties that can be very helpful for your feet. It is slick and can be used to help keep body parts from rubbing and becoming irritated. It is a favorite of distance runners for its ability to prevent blisters.
Vinegar, while typically used as a cooking ingredient, is very useful in remedying dry and cracked heels. One part of white vinegar, when mixed with two parts of warm water, can be used as a soak for the feet. A pumice stone can be used to scrub the dead skin after soaking for 20-25 minutes.
Applying medicated creams and ointments to the skin between the toes and the feet may help. Medications containing hydrocortisone may decrease inflammation and itching. If a fungus caused the infection, as in the case of athlete's foot, a person should use antifungal creams to treat their skin.