Cracked Heels
Natural Remedies

Cracked Heels - Editor's Choice

| Modified on Sep 12, 2024
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Jojoba Oil

Cracked heels can be a frustrating and uncomfortable condition that affects many individuals. When the skin on our heels becomes dry, it loses its elasticity and flexibility, developing cracks or fissures. These cracks can range from mild to severe and may cause pain, discomfort, and bleeding. Factors such as dry weather, prolonged standing, inadequate foot hygiene, and certain medical conditions can contribute to the formation of cracked heels.

While numerous commercial products are available to address this issue, many people prefer natural remedies due to their gentle and holistic approach. Natural remedies offer the advantage of nourishing the skin, promoting healing, and restoring the feet's natural moisture balance without harsh chemicals or additives. These remedies can be easily incorporated into your foot care routine and effectively relieve cracked heels.

Supplements for Cracked Heels

Silica

One particular supplement that has gained attention for its ability to heal cracked feet is silica.

Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral vital in maintaining healthy skin and promoting overall wellness. Including silica in your cracked heel treatment regimen can significantly improve the healing process.

Silica is renowned for strengthening and nourishing the skin, making it an excellent addition to any foot care routine. It aids in producing collagen, a protein that supports the skin's structure and promotes its elasticity. By increasing collagen synthesis, silica can help repair and rejuvenate the damaged skin on the heels, reducing the appearance of cracks and preventing further complications.

Furthermore, silica possesses excellent moisture-retaining properties, which can benefit individuals struggling with dry, rough heels. It helps the skin retain hydration, preventing excessive dryness and promoting a smoother, suppler texture. By incorporating silica-rich products into your daily foot care routine, you can effectively combat dryness and improve the overall appearance of your heels.

How to Take Silica for Cracked Heels

A liquid silica supplement is recommended to harness the benefits of silica for cracked heels. Take as directed on the label. It may take a few weeks to see improvement in your cracked heels as your body slowly rebuilds its silica levels.

Silica-based creams, lotions, or ointments are specifically formulated for foot care. These products often contain additional moisturizing ingredients, such as shea butter or aloe vera, which work synergistically with silica to provide optimal hydration and nourishment to the skin. Regularly applying these products can gradually heal the cracks, soften the skin, and restore its natural health and vitality.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids, commonly found in fish oil supplements, have anti-inflammatory properties and are known for their numerous health benefits. These fatty acids help maintain skin integrity and hydration, making them valuable in treating cracked heels. Omega-3 supplements can promote skin elasticity, reduce inflammation, and support healing. Incorporating omega-3 fatty acids into your daily routine can positively impact the overall health of your skin, including the skin on your heels.

Vitamin E 

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect and nourish the skin. It aids in regenerating damaged skin cells and promotes overall skin health. Vitamin E supplements can contribute to the healing process of cracked heels by providing antioxidant support and enhancing skin moisturization. Moreover, this vitamin helps improve blood circulation, essential for delivering nutrients to the skin. By adding vitamin E supplements to your diet, you can support the healing of cracked heels and maintain the health of your skin.

Zinc 

Zinc is a vital mineral that plays a crucial role in skin health and wound healing. It helps maintain skin integrity and supports the production of collagen, which is essential for skin strength and elasticity. Zinc supplements can boost the healing process of cracked heels by aiding in cell repair and regeneration. Additionally, zinc supports the immune system, which can help combat any potential infections associated with cracked heels. By incorporating zinc supplements into your routine, you can provide your body with the necessary nutrients to support the healing and prevention of heel cracks.

Topical Remedies for Cracked Heels

Shea Butter

Shea butter is a natural emollient rich in vitamins A and E, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants. Its deep moisturizing properties can help soften and heal cracked skin. Regularly apply shea butter to your heels before bedtime to allow the butter to penetrate and hydrate the skin overnight.

Honey 

Honey's antimicrobial and healing properties make it an excellent remedy for cracked heels. Create a foot soak by mixing warm water with honey and soaking your feet for 15-20 minutes. This will help soften the skin and promote healing. After the soak, gently exfoliate your feet and apply a moisturizer to lock in the moisture.

Epsom Salt Soak 

Epsom salt is known for its ability to relieve inflammation and promote relaxation. Create a foot soak by dissolving Epsom salt in warm water and soak your feet for 15-20 minutes. This soak can help alleviate pain and reduce swelling associated with cracked heels. Afterward, gently scrub your feet to remove dead skin cells and apply a moisturizer.

Oatmeal Scrub 

Oatmeal acts as a gentle exfoliant, removing dead skin cells and promoting skin rejuvenation. Create a foot scrub by mixing ground oatmeal with honey or olive oil to form a paste. Gently massage the scrub onto your feet, focusing on the cracked areas. Rinse off with warm water and apply a moisturizer afterward.

Jojoba Oil 

Jojoba oil is a natural moisturizer that closely resembles the skin's sebum, making it easily absorbed. Its hydrating properties help soften and heal cracked skin. Apply a few drops of jojoba oil to your heels and massage it in circular motions until absorbed. Repeat this process daily to see improvements in your cracked heels.

Summary

In conclusion, natural remedies and supplements offer promising options for addressing cracked heels and promoting skin health. Incorporating silica and other supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and zinc can provide the essential nutrients needed for skin regeneration, hydration, and overall wellness. When combined with proper foot hygiene and regular foot care practices, these remedies and supplements can significantly improve the condition of your heels, alleviate discomfort, and restore the natural health and vitality of your skin.

Continue reading below to learn which natural remedies helped Earth Clinic readers with cracked heels, and let us know if you have any more to add to the list!


The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.

Duct Tape

Posted by Mike (San Bernardino, Ca USA) on 08/07/2012
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I have had a problem with peeling and cracking dryness in my heels since I was a child. A little piece of skin would emerge and I would want to peel it right off. That would usually leave me with pain for weeks. It would also lead to cracking and painful infections over a period of years. I've used creams and ointments and petroleum jelly with some success. I've saturated my socks and ruined a pair of shoes more than once. You know, you just can't work with your feet squishing around in a slimy gel.

That said, I'm sure you can tell it was not easy for me to get any success out of using ointments. I did have some success but I did not get any great success until I tried putting duct tape on my heels. Of all things, duct tape. Crazy, huh?

Who would think that duct tape would keep my skin so moist throughout the day that I think the healing comes from the inside out. It even makes the pain go away within just a few hours. First, I tried doing it with ointments like Neosporin. That didn't work very well because the tape would not stick when my skin was oily, like that.

Then, when I washed my feet thoroughly, soaking them for 10 min. In hot soapy water and then dried them thoroughly, and used some alcohol to remove the last of excess oils, then the duct tape stuck pretty well. I keep the duct tape on for several hours during sleep and even when I'm awake. I can walk around in it and it even feels very good on my feet. Greatest part about it is that it works amazingly fast.

I would normally take a pretty coarse emery board to dry sand my heels just enough to smooth out the rough parts. But that's all it would ever take to get my heels hurting enormously, the next day. However, when I put the duct tape on immediately afterward there is no pain the next day. I can feel it tingling under the tape but no real pain.

When there was pain because I did not use any duct tape the next day I immediately started to use the tape again and within a few hours the pain went away. What could possibly be in the sticky part that kills pain? I don't know. I just know that it works. Maybe it's not the tape, at all. But maybe it is the body's own defenses, able to operate better under moist conditions. Of course I'm guessing, but what else could it be?

My process usually went something like this:

I would usually go about 12 to 24 hours "ON" and 12 to 24 hours "OFF". Repeating it over several days and weeks. Then, I would not need to do it again for several months. But you know, my problem would always come back because I obviously must have some sort of a problem with circulation, or some type of nutrient deficiency, or something I have not yet been able to identify.

I just thought you might like to try this little duct tape on the bottom of the feet system, yourself. It surely works for me.


Borax

Posted by Gloria (Gaithersburg, Maryland) on 08/07/2012
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I wanted to pass on the success I've been having with treating my cracked heels and athlete's foot/toenail fungus. First, for a long time I didn't realize that all three of these were related ailments, especially the cracked heels which I had attributed to aging and dry skin. Now I realize it was symptomatic of a fungal infection.

I recently developed a "rash" on my ankle near my heel. At first I thought it was bug bites. It was a small cluster of red itchy dots. At first I tried ACV and H202 on them, but in a halfhearted way. It didn't really seem to help much. Then I got the idea to use borax, for some reason.

After bathing while my feet were still moist, I took about a teaspoon of borax powder in my hand and rubbed it all over my feet, heels, ankle, between toes, etc. The itching from the rash stopped and my feet felt "good. " I left the powder on my feet (a very thin coat remained) and went to bed. I repeated this for a few nights. The rash has been scabbing over and healing (I still don't know what caused it -- fungus or something else).

But the remarkable thing is the skin on my heels! It is healing, getting softer, younger-looking. My heels had been cracked, dry and ugly for about 5 years! I've been doing this for two weeks now, and the improvement is remarkable.

As well, my toenail fungus and athlete's foot between my toes is going away. I now have "pretty feet" and I am not ashamed to go out wearing my sandals (and no nail polish, either, to hide the ugly nails! They look normal, now).

I have also started applying a homemade ointment to my feet each morning, consisting of coconut oil, aloe, tea tree oil and lavender. This feels soothing and I think it's helping, too, but the borax seems to be the main thing.



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