We often focus more on the care of our face, hands and nails but do not give much attention to our feet. When the heels appear dry or cracked, it becomes important to take care of them, especially while wearing sandals. Cracked heels become more noticeable.
In my opinion, it is not necessary to get an expensive pedicure done every time for foot care. Habits like daily cleaning, regular moisturizing and wearing comfortable footwear can help. In this article, I will discuss the common causes of cracked heels, share simple ways of taking care of them at home, and the mistakes which should be avoided.
What are cracked heels?
Cracked heels occur when the skin of the heels becomes dry, hard and cracked. Initially the heels may appear rough or white. Sometimes there are small lines on the skin while in some serious cases the cracks may be more noticeable.
Due to dry skin of the heels and pressure due to walking or standing, the cracks may appear. Therefore, removing hard skin is not enough; moisturizing the skin, protecting the heels and avoiding habits that increase dryness is also important.
Why do cracked heels occur?
There can be some major reasons for cracked heels.
Dry skin: When there is less moisture in the skin, the heels may become hard.
Walking barefoot: Walking barefoot can increase pressure and friction on heels.
Open-back sandals: Footwear that does not provide proper heel support can increase cracking in some people.
Very hot water: Taking a bath in hot water for a long time or soaking feet can increase dryness.
Long hours standing: Standing for a long time increases the pressure on the heels.
Harsh Cleansing and Scrubbing: Harsh soaps and aggressive scrubbing can irritate.
Every person’s skin and daily routine can be different, hence the reason for cracked heels can also be different for everyone.
How to take care of cracked heels at home?
1. Gently clean the feet
Wash the feet with normal or lukewarm water and cleanser and avoid keeping the feet in very hot water for a long time.
After washing, dry the feet carefully with a towel. It is useful to dry the skin thoroughly around the toes and in between, there is no need to rub the feet hard.
2. Apply thick moisturizer or foot cream
Regular moisturizing is important in the basic care of cracked heels. After washing, when the skin is slightly damp, then apply foot cream or fragrance-free moisturizer.
Do not apply moisturizer only when the heels become very rough. Make it a part of the daily routine and reapply in the morning or night as per the need.
3. Apply petroleum jelly at night
Taking care of the feet at night is a simple option. Before sleeping, apply a thin layer of plain petroleum jelly. Petroleum jelly may help in moisturizing and reducing moisture loss from the skin.
After this, you can wear clean cotton socks. If the cracks are open, there is bleeding or excessive irritation in the skin, then do not apply random skincare products or DIY mixtures. In such a situation, it is better to take professional advice.
4. Choose comfortable footwear
Focusing only on foot cream is not enough. Daily footwear can also affect the condition of the heels. Choose shoes or sandals that are comfortable and provide good support to the heels.
Simple Night Routine For Cracked Heels
If you don’t know where to start foot care, then you can try this simple routine.
- Wash the feet thoroughly
- Dry them with a soft towel
- Apply thick moisturizer
- If necessary, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly
- Wear clean cotton socks
It is important to keep this routine regular. The time for improvement may vary depending on the dryness of the skin and the severity of cracks, so do not expect overnight results.
Don’t make these mistakes in taking care of your heels
Some common mistakes can irritate the skin of heels:
- Cutting hard skin with a blade
- Using a foot scrubber roughly
- Soaking the feet in hot water for a long time
- Applying moisturizer when the heels become too dry
- Applying lemon, toothpaste or harsh DIY mixtures on open cracks
- Ignoring painful cracks or bleeding
FAQs
How to fix cracked heels at home?
Basic foot care can be started with regular moisturizing, petroleum jelly and comfortable footwear.
Which cream can be used for cracked heels?
Thick moisturizer or foot cream can be a good option. Follow the instructions of the product and do not apply unsuitable products on irritated open cracks.
Can we use pumice stone on cracked heels?
Do it only on rough skin, do not use it on deep or bleeding cracks.
Is Vaseline good for cracked heels?
Vaseline helps in reducing moisture loss from the skin. This can be used with regular moisturizing routines.
How many days does it take for cracked heels to heal?
There is no fixed time for this. Depending on the condition of the skin, severity and daily care, improvement may take a different amount of time.
When to see a doctor for cracked heels?
Deep cracks, bleeding, swelling, redness, discharge or constant pain — if these do not improve with your regular routine, then medical advice is required.
Want to learn more about Manicure. Read our guide on Manicure At Home