Cracked heels called ‘fissures’ in medical terms is a common ailment for most people. Many adults and even old people, irrespective of sex suffer from this disease. Although this is not a serious ailment, it causes many difficulties to the patient. The first difficulty is the pain caused while the person is walking. The cracked skin peels and in many cases when the peeled skin is removed, it causes further pain. In many cases the open skin bleeds. Skin on the outer edge of the heel becomes hard. If the patient does not wear socks, dust accumulates on the open portion of the heels and as a result the skin becomes black. In some cases, the color of the skin in the heels turns yellow.

Causes of Cracked heels

Medical Science attributes many reasons for cracked heels. Obesity, standing for long duration, dry skin, malfunctioning of sweat glands, wearing shoes with opening in the back, diabetes, malfunction of Thyroid gland, defective alignment of metatarsal bones, formation of calcium deposits called Heel spurs are some of the causes of cracked heels.

Remedy:

There are no permanent remedies for cracked heels. Some preventive steps like use of good quality moisturizer and rubbing of the heels against a ‘pumice stone’ which actually reduces the thickness of the skin are normally taken. However, there are many home remedies which if properly applied will give a lasting solution to those suffering from cracked heels. These home remedies for cracked heels are briefly explained here:

1. Home Remedies
2. Other Remedies

Home Remedies for Cracked Heels

Paraffin Wax as a Home Remedy for Cracked Heels

Properties: Paraffin wax is an alkaline which is available across the counter. In fact it is available in liquid format which is prescribed in case of acute constipation. The uniqueness of liquid paraffin is that it does not get itself into the body but it makes movement of the bowel easy. Different types of paraffin wax are available and they are widely used in making of chocolate, etc. because they make the chocolate appear shiny. Apart from this, paraffin makes the skin soft and greasy.

Natural Remedies for Cracked heels using liquid paraffin:

Melt the paraffin wax and to this liquid add coconut oil in equal quantity. When the liquid is sufficiently cool, apply it on the cracked portion of the heels. Similar procedure can be followed using hydrogenated vegetable oil or petroleum jelly also.

Pumice stone As A Natural Remedy For Cracked Heels:

Properties: This is actually a volcanic rock which is considered to be a micro vesicular glass. It is used in construction work. It is also used as an exfoliate in cosmetic application. It is also used for removing the dead skin around the cracked heel.

Treating cracked heel using Pumice stone:

Depending on the severity, start working with Pumice Stone. Wash your feet thoroughly with warm water. Allow them to dry for some time. Then gently rub the Pumice stone on the dead skin.

Banana As A Natural Remedy For Cracked Heels:

Properties: Banana does not require any introduction. Grown all over the world, it is one of the most commonly used fruits. It is rich in vitamins and minerals and is also used for medical purposes.

Treatment for Cracked heels using Banana:

Take a fully ripe Banana. Make a pulp of it. Apply this pulp on the affected part. Allow the pulp to stay on the cracked heels for at least 30 minutes. Then wash your feet thoroughly with warm water.

Aloe Vera As A Natural Remedy For Cracked Heels:

Properties: Believed to have originated from the Arabian Peninsula, Aloe Vera grows in arid environment. It is grown in abundance in Canary Islands, India, Africa, etc. There are many varieties of Aloe Vera plants and these plants are known for their medicinal value. Aloe Vera is a stem less plant with hard leaves which are green in color.

Home Remedies for Cracked heels using Aloe Vera:

Aloe Vera extract is available in all medical stores. Take some Aloe Vera extract and mix it with Vitamin ‘E’ gel. Apply this mixture on the affected part. There are many medicines which are Aloe Vera based. You can use these medicines too.

Olive oil As A Natural Remedy For Cracked Heels:

Properties: Olive Oil is extracted from the Olive tree. Olive oil has variety of uses; ranging from lighting the lamp, it is used for cooking, used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetic items, etc. Olive oil is recognized as one of the most useful oils throughout the world.

How to treat cracked heels using Olive Oil:

Wash your feet thoroughly with warm water and allow the feet to dry. Now apply Olive Oil on the cracked heels. Then immediately wear clean socks and go to bed. In the morning, remove the socks and wash your feet with warm water.

Pedi cure As A Treatment For Cracked Heels:

Properties: It is a procedure or technology for taking proper care of the feet including nails. Some even call it cosmetic care for the foot. It was started in the year 2000 in USA. It is now one of the most preferred ways to take proper care of the feet.

How Pedi cure helps to treat cracked heels:

The person practicing Pedi cure is trained in treating cracked heels. Depending on the condition or the severity he will suggest the most appropriate way. The Pedi Cure practitioner also advises the patient on the effective way to take proper care of the feet after assessing the individual needs like whether the person is obese, whether he is diabetic, etc.

Papaya As A Treatment For Cracked Heels:

Properties: Grown the world over, this is one of the most commonly consumed fruits by all sections of people. The fruit is known for its richness in vitamins, minerals and anti oxidants. According to researchers Papaya contains anti hydroxyl, a substance that is very beneficial for curing cracked heels.

Natural Remedies for cracked heels using Papaya:

Take some fully ripe papaya and mash it. Put the mash on the cracked heel and then wear socks for some time. Similar procedure can be followed using pineapple.

Shea butter As A Natural Remedy For Cracked Heels:

Properties: Shea tree is largely grown in Africa. Shea butter is extracted from the fully ripe fruit of the Shea tree. Shea butter contains certain alkaline which is very beneficial for the skin. In fact Shea butter is used in the manufacture of soaps also.

Home Remedies for cracked heels using Shea butter:

Shea butter is mixed with Goats milk in appropriate ratio. The mixture is applied overnight on the cracked heel. Wear socks to allow the medicine to smoothen the skin.

Other Home Remedies for Cracked Heels

A cup of hot tea will loosen the mucus and eases the throat. Green tea is best to deal with Cracked Heels.

Another interesting remedy is spicy food. Those who are suffering from Cracked Heels would do well if they ate hot, spicy food. This is because spicy food breaks the mucus down and eases the throat.

Make juice of onion and lemon (about 10 tablespoons full) and add this to one cup of boiling water. Add about two spoons of raw honey and allow this entire mixture to cool. Drink the entire mixture thrice a day for about four days. This will completely remove the throat and chest of congestion.

Pinch of white pepper to one tablespoon of raw honey is the best remedy to clear phlegm

Make a thin slice of onion, add one tablespoon of curry powder and two tablespoons of virgin olive oil, the home medicine is ready.

Take ginger paste, pepper powder, vinegar and honey in equal quantity and to this mixture add twice the quantity of water. Take this mixture thrice a day.

Cloves are the best remedy if the cough is due to inflammation of pharynx and in clearing Cracked Heels.

Crush batel leaves by adding a little water and apply the paste to the chest. This apart from giving relief from cough also relives the chest of congestion.

Two tablespoons of honey and grape juice together will make a good medicine to clear Cracked Heels. Grape actually acts as an expectorant.

Take a cup of water and add some salt to it. Now gargle with this water. While gargling hold the water near the throat for a few moments and then spit it out. Repeat this twice a day.

Take bowl full of water and boil it. Now keep the bowl at a convenient place and position yourself conveniently in front of the bowl. Place your head above the bowl and of course at a safe distance. Cover yourself and the bowl with a clean towel. Inhale the steam. Do this for about five minutes. For better results, add about half spoon of turmeric to the water before inhaling.

Keep a hot water bag on the chest and the throat for about five minutes. You can repeat this thrice a day depending on the severity of the congestion.

By massaging the chest with essential oils, Cracked Heels can be removed.

For Cracked Heels amongst infants, tea is recognized as the best remedy.

Rub the chest with eucalyptus oil at least thrice a day. It relieves the Cracked Heels.

Take plenty of liquids, preferably lukewarm water. In case of juice do not take juice or fruits which are known to cause cold. Take fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin ‘C’.

Fibrous fruits and vegetables will help to clear mucus.

Take one teaspoon of lemon juice (juice extracted from the lemon and not lemon juice sold in the grocery shop). Add salt and black pepper. Take this mixture thrice a day.