How To Fix Cracked Heels
Tips For Cracked Heels
Most people take great care of their skin. They have an entire skincare routine that involves cleansing, toning, and moisturizing their faces and using scrubs and lotions on their body. This is all perfect for healthy skin and a glowing complexion. But very few people give their feet the same attention and this can be a problem for heels.
Cracked heels are a common sight in summer. This is when we like to wear sandals and walk around barefoot as often as possible. In most cases, cracked heels are more of an aesthetics problem, but in some cases, the cracks in heels can be deep and painful.
With a little bit of care, you can take better care of your feet and fix those cracked heels. Here are some tips to get you started.
1. Moisturize
The best way to avoid having cracked heels is to take care of the problem before it begins. You use moisturizers and lotions on your face and body so just make sure you don’t neglect your feet. While you can use any type of moisturizer or body lotion, it is best to use a balm or moisturizer that has been specially formulated for your feet. Apply a moisturizer every morning to prepare your feet for the busy day ahead and also at night to let the active ingredients go to work while you rest.
2. Give Your Feet A Good Soak
Cracked heels feel rough, dry, and quite hard so give your feet the spa treatment with a good soak in a basin of warm water and essential oils. Leave them soaking for about 20 minutes and then use pumice stones, loofahs, or foot scrubbers to remove the layer of thick, hard skin.
Once you’re done, pat your feet dry and apply a liberal layer of foot balm or moisturizer over your heels. Put on a pair of socks to lock in the moisture while you put your feet up.
3. Bee Kind To Heels
Honey is one of those miracle ingredients that can be very effective in treating problems like dry, cracked heels. Honey has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that can help heal any open wounds and cleanse them at the same time. Best of all, it will also nourish the cracked skin and prevent a recurrence of this problem. Honey can be used in many ways to prevent and repair cracked heels. You can use it with a bit of oatmeal as a foot scrub or apply it to your feet at night as a foot mask, wash off the honey in the morning and apply a foot balm before you start your day.
4. Go Nuts With Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is one of those natural products that seem to have an endless list of uses. It can also be incredibly useful in fixing cracked heels. You can use it to soften up the dry, crack skin of your heels or apply it as a balm after soaking and exfoliating your feet. Coconut oil is antimicrobial and antibacterial so it can penetrate deep into those cracked heels and treat the cause of the problem. If you have a nasty case of cracked heels, apply a generous amount of coconut oil over your feet and slip on a pair of socks to lock in the oil. Leave them on while you relax with a good book or overnight if you have a particularly nasty case of cracked heels.
5. Moisturizing Socks
If you can’t be bothered fussing around with oils, balms, and lotions you can get some moisturizing socks to do all the hard work for you. Many of these socks contain gels with essential oils and ointments that are formulated to treat cracked heels. They are easy to use too. All you need to do is put them on like ordinary socks and do what you would normally do.
6. Schedule A Regular Pedicure
How long has it been since you had your last pedicure? Sadly, not many people avail themselves of this cosmetic service but they really should. People who regularly have pedicures have a much lower instance of cracked heels. Pedicures start with feet being soaked in a nice warm foot bath which is usually followed by a soothing foot exfoliator or scrub. These two steps alone are all you need to treat and prevent cracked heels. Treat yourself to a foot spa and pedicure as often as you can and watch those cracked heels disappear.
7. Don’t Ignore The Signs
Most cases of cracked heels are due to dry skin, particularly during the summer months when we spend a lot of time in flip-flops, sandals, and bare feet. The exposure to air, sun, and wind will cause your feet to dry out. However, if you are suffering from severely cracked heels that are painful and bleed, it could be a sign of a vitamin or mineral deficiency or another medical condition which can be a serious one. If your heels are still cracked despite what you do to treat them, see your doctor as there may be an underlying cause that can be detrimental for your overall health.
