Most common questions used to investigate
Have you tried soaking your feet in lukewarm water?
Do you use a heel balm?
Do you wear shoes and socks that protect your heel?
Do you have any infections on the cracked heels?
Do you have honey at home?
Do you prefer home remedies over medicines?
Common conclusions
Soak your feet in lukewarm water for about 20 minutes each day. You can even add some soap or natural oil for better effect. When you soak your feet in the water, the skin around the cracked heels becomes soft and this makes it easy to scrub the cracks with a brush. Never scrub your feet when they are dry as this will increase the chances for damaged skin. This is why soak your feet in warm water before you scrub.
A heel balm is considered to be the first line of defence and the first treatment for cracked heels. These balms contain the right ingredients such as urea and salicylic acid that are known to moisturize the area and exfoliate the surrounding skin. When you apply them often, your cracked heels will become better. There are many over-the-counter heel balms available and most brands are more or less similar. If you're particular, check to see if it contains urea and salicylic acid.
Wearing shoes and socks all the time helps to prevent some of the dryings that happens due to constant exposure to weather elements, dirt, and dust. Also, it reduces the chances of infections that can happen when unwanted particles and germs enter your feet through the cracks.
Skin infections on cracked heels can be serious and can impact your health and mobility in a big way. If you have a white puss coming out of your heels, you must get it checked with a doctor right away. If it is not so serious, wear liquid bandages to seal the cracks to prevent infections and further cracks. You can find these liquid bandages over the counter at any medical store. Before applying them on your feet, make sure your feet are clean and dry and give about 60 seconds for the bandage to stick to the cracks.
Honey is a great option for cracked heels because it has natural antifungal and antiseptic properties besides its known efficacy on human skin and wounds. It can even be used as a foot scrub after you soak your feet in lukewarm or you can apply it as a mask and head to sleep, so it will heal the cracks when you sleep.
Home remedies work great when you use the right ingredients the right way. However, it is important to note that the effectiveness can vary from individual to individual and it could take longer to get results.
There are many heel balms and moisturizers sold over-the-counter, so go ahead and use them. Just ensure that you follow the directions for application.
References
Related Problems
