In summer times your cracked heels may get more attention than the flip-flops you wanted to show off. But, you can get out of this embarrassing situation very quickly if you take these simple to follow actions to smother your cracked heels.
The dry, dead and thickened skin on your heels is caused by lack of moisture, unhealthy diet, improper footwear or regularly standing on your feet for long hours. Some skin conditions such as Psoriasis and eczema and general health conditions such as diabetes and thyroid problems can lead to cracked heels.
There are numerous home remedies to soothe cracked heels , but the following will heal them fast and effectively.
1. Glycerine and Lemon
Glycerine is very effective in removing dryness of the skin. Your skin at the heels require moisturizing. Adding lemon will help in softening the skin.
You can add half a teaspoon of lemon juice to one teaspoon of glycerine in a bowl and mix it well. This is sufficient quantity for one time to apply generously on both of your feet. To get the best benefits for your cracked heels from lemon and glycerine follow the following steps
- Fill a small foot bucket with warm water. Add two teaspoon of lemon juice and mix it well.
- Soak your feet in the warm lemon water for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Wash your feet and pat dry with a towel.
Apply the glycerine lemon mix on both feet and leave it there until the next application. Do it 2 times a day. You will see you cracked heels smoother within a week.
2. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a powerful moisturizer with many other healing properties to combat fungal and bacterial infections if any.
You can use coconut oil with or without scrubbing the skin to get rid of cracked heels. Apply coconut oil 2-3 times a day. it will be good if your heels are not covered by shoes. Flip-flops will do great for faster healing of cracked heels.
You can follow the soaking of your feet in lemon as stated above before applying coconut oil, but that is entirely up to you to decide. The coconut oil alone is capable enough to smoother the flaky patches of cracked heels.
3. Petroleum Jelly
Like Glycerine and Coconut oil, Petroleum jelly is another excellent skin smothering agent for cracked heel. The application is exactly similar to applying glycerine after soaking your feet in rosewater or lemon juice added warm water.
In fact you can use any moisturizing cream, vegetable oil that appeals to you.
4. Epsom Salt
Magnesium content in the Epsom salt improves skin health. Epsom salt also promotes blood circulation. Add half a cup of Epsom Salt to a foot soaking tub filled with warm water. Mix it well and soak your feet for 10-15 minutes. Wash and pat dry your feet. Apply any natural moisturizer stated above.
If you can't do it more than once a day, then do it once just before going to bed. This will slowly heal your cracked heels.
5. Scrubbing
Just simple scrubbing alone can help you to smother your cracked heels. Just before going to bed spend about 15 minutes for foot care. Soak your feet in warm water for 10-15 minutes. You can add lemon or rose water but if you don't add anything, even then warm water soaking alone will help you to soften the skin. Scrub off the loose dead skin with the help of a pumice stone.
Rinse off your feet and pat them dry. Apply any moisturizing cream and sleep well.