DIY home remedies to cure cracked foot

DIY home remedies to cure cracked foot

Cracked foot refers to when foot skin loses its moisture content, essential oil and dries out resulting in fissures in heels. (Skin around the bottom of heels becomes too dry and it split open, leaving painful cracks known as fissures.) These cracks usually make walking painful, sometimes they also lead to serious infections. 

In the article below, we have provided some effective home remedies to heal the cracked foot. Let us read more about the causes, precautions, and FAQs of the cracked foot.

Causes of cracked foot

The first sign of cracked heels is the presence of calluses that are dry & thickened around the rim of the heel. The fat pad under your heel expands as you walk. If you don't moisturize your feet regularly, they will dry out faster. Cracked heels can also be resulted from the following factors-

• Standing for long periods 

• Walking around on bare feet

• Using harsh soaps that can deplete your skin's natural oils

• Unfit Shoes (Non-supportive heels)

• Weather (Winters or low humidity)

• Dehydration

• Aging

• Pregnancy

• Vitamin Deficiency

• Medical conditions (Obesity, diabetes, hypothyroidism)

• Skin Infections (Athlete's foot and eczema)

• Bio-mechanical factors (flat feet, heel spurs, or prolonged standing)

When to know the cracked heels are infected?

• Pain and discomfort, especially while standing
• Itchiness in the area
• Bleeding from the cracks
• Flaky skin
• Warmth, redness & swelling

Natural Home-made DIY Remedies

Following are the certain treatments from Ayurveda that are proven to be very effective in healing cracked foot.

Warm Water

• Before sleeping, soak your feet in warm water for about 5-10 minutes.
• After the step-1, Add 1tsp salt or raw alum to this water  and scrub your foot with a cotton towel and remove the dead skin.

Bee Wax Remedy

• Take 25 Gm of pure bee wax.
• Add 50 Gm of sesame oil and heat it.
• When the wax melts properly in the oil, then store it in a broad cap glass bottle.
• After cleaning your foot, rub this mixture on the cracked area. You will notice benefits in one week

Apart from the above remedies, you can use castor oil and massage your cracked heels for 2-3 minutes daily. It will help in soothing the skin cracks.

Precautions

Following precautions are needed to avoid cracked foot-

• Avoid standing in one position or sitting with your legs crossed for an extended period.
• To lock in moisture, apply thick foot cream at night and cover your feet with socks.
• Examine your feet daily, especially if you have diabetes or another condition that causes dry skin.
• Wear orthotics (custom shoe inserts) to cushion your heel and even out weight distribution.
• Wear high-quality proven padded socks.
• Silicon heel cups help to keep the heel moist and prevent the heel pad from expanding.
• To help prevent skin thickening, use a pumice stone after showering a few times per week.
• If you have diabetes or neuropathy, you should avoid removing calluses yourself. Inadvertently creating a wound increases your risk of infection.
• Stop walking barefoot.
• Use warm water, not hot water for soaking your foot.
• Use a pumice stone gently.
• Use petroleum jelly Vaseline Jelly creates a moisture-locking barrier that helps rehydrate dry skin. It also protects heels from further dryness and cracking. Try this before going to bed to help replenish moisture while also supporting and protecting the skin's natural regeneration process.

FAQs

Q. Why does the sole of the foot pain when it is cracked?

When the dry skin cracks while moving or running, it leads to the cracking of the entire structure of the skin. If the crack in your skin becomes deep enough, it will cut tiny nerves as well that will cause great pain.

Q. Does fungus result in a cracked foot?

Yes! Athlete’s foot can cause cracking and peeling skin. The athlete's foot is a fungus that causes a fungal skin infection between the toes. It is most common in people whose feet have become extremely sweaty while being confined within tight-fitting shoes.

Q. How to treat cracked foot by pedicure?

Here is the particular procedure to follow pedicure at home.

• Soak your feet for up to 20 minutes in lukewarm, soapy water. 
• Remove any hard, thick skin with a loofah, foot scrubber, or pumice stone. 
• Pat your feet dry gently. 
• Apply a thick moisturizer or heel balm to the affected area. 
• Apply petroleum jelly to your feet to keep moisture in.

Q. What types of sandals person must wear to avoid cracking foot?

Slippers are the best footwear for dry and cracked heels as they are open and comfortable. One should avoid wearing heels frequently because the foot loses moisture in it that resulting in pain and cracking.  

 Q. How do you heal cracked feet overnight?

Cracked feet can be healed by applying a heavier, oil-based cream or petroleum jelly before bedtime, then wear a pair of thin cotton socks to help the moisturizer work. In the case of extremely cracked heels, it’s better to ignore them because they may develop deeper fissures over time, increasing your risk of infection.

 Q. Is Cracked Heels caused by a vitamin deficiency?

Cracked heels are a common occurrence that is usually not a serious concern. Vitamin C, B-3, and E deficiency contribute to dry, cracked heels. However, cracked heels can also be caused by other conditions such as an athlete's foot or eczema.