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Struggling with cracked heels and dry feet? Good news. There’s help in sight… and it won’t take you all year to get there! Keep reading to find out what causes cracked heels and dry feet, the best ways to prevent them from happening, and how you can get yourself sandal-ready with these proven natural remedies.
What causes cracked heels?
Known medically as heel fissures, cracked heels are linear cut wounds which usually affect the surface level, or epidermis, of the heel. When the cracks extend beyond the epidermis, they can result in pain, bleeding and even infection. Yikes!
But what causes cracked feet or is it just a right-of-passage that barefoot lovers around the world have to deal with? Well, it turns out that cracked heels are usually caused by a combination of pressure (standing, running and walking), dry skin, and diet.
Standing, walking, and running puts pressure on the foot that causes the skin on the bottom of your feet to expand sideways. If the skin is not sufficiently pliable or doesn’t contain enough moisture, cracks happen. To keep this from happening, upping your foot care routine to include a daily moisturizer can make a big difference.
Dietary deficiencies can also cause cracking. Studies show that diets lacking in zinc and essential omega-3 fatty acids may make you more prone to cracked heels and other dry skin problems. Increasing these foods in your diet can be as simple as adding a few of these foods to your meal plan this week:
- Foods rich in zinc: oysters, organic chicken, crab, kidney beans, yogurt, and brown rice.
- Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids: Cold water fatty fish such as salmon and tuna, and it can also be found in healthy oils such as flaxseed. You can also supplement with Omega 3 Plus or Omega Longevity from Aceva. Both are great natural sources of omega 3 fatty acids and have a high absorption rate than most fish oils on the market. They also don’t leave you with a fishy taste.
Other important vitamins and minerals that can help with include:
- Vitamin E, which is found in green vegetables, wheat germ, whole-grain products and nuts.
- Calcium, which can be found in organic raw certified cow or goat milk, organic cheeses, yogurt, dark leafy vegetables and broccoli. Most people get plenty of calcium but fail to get the essential mineral magnesium which is necessary for proper absorption and utilization of calcium.
- Iron, which is found in certified organic meats, including beef, chicken and fish, as well as organic free range eggs, vegetables and beans. Triple Mag provides a therapeutic dose of magnesium in a highly absorbable form.
Easy Foot Care Tips to Prevent Cracked Heels
- Keep your feet clean and dirt-free.
- Exercise regularly.
- Follow a daily regimen of cleansing and moisturizing.
- Gently exfoliate the feet when needed.
- Alternate hot and cold water for a feet bath to soothe the feet.
- If you have deep bleeding cracks, avoid walking barefoot until the cracks are gone.
Remedies for Cracked Heels and Feet
One of the most effective remedies for getting rid of foot cracks and dry heels is a combination of healing oils/moisturizers and your favorite pair of socks. Before going to sleep, liberally apply one or more oils such as almond, grapeseed oil and/or olive oil to the heels and feet and then put on a pair of thick cotton socks and leave them on all night. Other good oils and moisturizers include cocoa butter, shea butter, and coconut oil.
Another great remedy for dry, crusty or “alligator skin” is raw papaya. Papaya contains papain, an enzyme that helps digest proteins and which has been referred to as organic alpha-hydroxy substitute. Pineapple contains a similar enzyme, but it’s much easier to mash a piece of papaya and use it like a masque on your heels than it is to use pineapple.
Milk and honey can be very effective for obtaining softer, smoother feet without harsh exfoliation. Pour one cup of honey per each two cups of milk into a basin large enough to hold both feet. Soak for 15 minutes, lightly massaging the mixture into skin. You can also use the milk/honey combo to soak elbows or hands, or pat gently onto the face and massage in. Rinse with tepid water
Other natural remedies for cracked heels include:
- Applying the pulp of a ripe banana on the dry or cracked area. Leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse clean
- Continue doing this at least once daily as long as needed.
- Soaking the feet in lemon juice for about 10 minutes. Continue every day as needed.
- Regularly applying a mixture of glycerin and rosewater.
