Soft heels are a sign of beauty and the extended foot care. Damaged and cracked heels, or “heel fissures”, are linear cuts seen on the skin surface on the heels and other parts of the feet indicating the necessity for a little more attention.

Causes: Damaged feet, which affect the style statement, can be attributed to the lifestyle and nutritional status of the individual. Few common causes include,  

  • Excessive feet activity and pressure on the foot pads.
  • Nutritional deficiencies.
  • Dry skin or Xerosis, which is due to reduced sebum production.
  • Excess exposure to water and other unhygienic conditions.

Problems: Neglecting proper foot care can lead to several issues like, 

  • Dry and painful feet that can bleed at the deep fissures.
  • Several feet infections caused by fungi and bacteria.

Home Remedies: Along with a regular foot care, one can overcome the issues arising due to cracked heels through few natural remedies. They include,

  • Applying a mixture of Glycerin and Rose water cures cracked heels at a great pace.
  • Apply some honey and soak your cracked feet in lemon water for about 10 minutes. Natural acidity of lime would act on the dry and dead skin cells. Honey, on the other hand, moisturizes and rejuvenates the skin. 
  • Mashed fruits: Mash a ripe banana or papaya and apply it in the cracks. It gives instant relief as it nourishes the dry skin on the feet and can be repeated every day to get rid of heel-cracks.
  • Regular use of Pumice Stone reduces calluses to a great extent thus making the heels soft.
  • Foot mask could be one of the best remedies for cracked heels. A mask made using lemon, glycerin, raw salt & rose water can work really fast on the fissures.
  • Feet Oil Massage: Simple massage with sesame, coconut or any other hydrogenated vegetable oils every night can cure cracked heels easily.
  • Exfoliating scrub: Paste made using honey, apple cider vinegar and coarse rice flour are the best among home remedies for cracked heels. Scrubbing along with a spoonful of olive or almond oil will not only heal the existing cracks by dissolving thickened layers of dead skin but also prevent further cracking.
  • Oatmeal Scrub: Scrubbing with a thick paste made out of oats, flour, olive oil and honey can help in softer and crack free feet.  
  • Neem with Turmeric: Fine paste of Neem and turmeric offers natural cure and supple feet with its fungicidal properties.

Diet: Essential foods to curb foot cracks include a diet rich in Vitamin E, Minerals rich in Calcium, Zinc and Iron and Omega 3-fatty acids, taken as supplements and found in fishes, flax seeds and Purslane herbs.  

Other Tips: Treating damaged heels is a good idea, but preventing them is much better. Cracked heels can be prevented through proper and effective foot care, which includes:

  • Clean and dirt-free foot maintenance through regular exercise.
  • Moisturizing and exfoliating on a regular basis.
  • Alternating warm and cold water treatment to soothe the feet.