Extreme temperatures, aging and even the shoes you wear can lead to dry, cracked skin on your feet. Dry skin isn't a serious problem, but it can be unattractive and uncomfortable. What causes dry, cracked heels?
- cold weather and indoor heating
- ill-fitting shoes and boots
- improper daily care of the feet
- standing on your feet all day
Some of the signs and symptoms of cracked feet are red or flaky patches, peeling skin, itchiness, bleeding from the cracks and pain.
Cracked feet look unattractive and, in some cases can lead to infection and extreme pain. The problem can be taken care of with some simple home remedies.
1. Lemon, salt, glycerine, rose water cracked heels mask:
One of the first steps towards having a pair of beautiful feet is to heal them, and that is why this foot mask is absolutely perfect home remedy for cracked heels.
Take a basin of warm water in which you’ll be dipping your feet and add raw salt, lemon juice, glycerine and rose water. Soak in your feet for about 15-20 minutes in this water.
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Using a pumice stone or foot scrubber, scrub your heels and sides of the feet.
Using a pumice stone or foot scrubber, scrub your heels and sides of the feet.
Take 1tsp undiluted glycerine, 1 tsp rose water and 1tsp lemon juice and after mixing, apply over your cracked heels. Since this will be a sticky mixture, you can wear a pair of socks and leave on overnight.
Wash off with lukewarm water in the morning.
Repeat for a few days till heels are soft and healed.
2. Paraffin Wax:
You can also use paraffin wax to remove the dead, dry skin and cure cracked feet. It will also work as a natural emollient to soften the skin and retain the natural oils on the skin.
- Heat some paraffin wax in a microwave or double-boiler and add an equal amount of mustard oil or coconut oil to it.
- Apply this thick creamy paste on the cracks and put on a pair of socks.
- Leave it on overnight and wash your feet thoroughly in the morning.
- Follow this remedy daily for one or two weeks.
3. Honey:
Honey is great to moisturise your feet and has great antibacterial properties.
Mix one cup of honey to half a bucket of warm water.
Soak your feet for about 15-20 minutes.
Scrub off gently for soft and supple feet.
4. Rice Flour:
Make this scrub that’s great for scrubbing your feet.
Take 2-3 tbsps of ground rice and add a few spoons of honey and apple cider vinegar to make a thick paste.
If your heels are extremely dry and cracked, add a spoon of olive oil or sweet almond oil.
Soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes and gently scrub it with this paste to remove dead skin from your feet.
5. Olive oil:
Virgin olive oil is one of the most natural ways to get smooth soft healthy heels.
Apply some extra virgin olive oil with the help of a cotton ball and gently massage your feet in a circular motion for 10-15 minutes.
Wear a pair of thick cotton socks and wash off after an hour.
Next, take 1 tbsp olive oil, a few drops of lemon oil or lavender oil in a small bottle and add an equal amount of water to it. mix it properly to get a thick solution.
Apply this homemade foot cream on your cracked heels a few times in the day and also overnight.
source: http://www.top10homeremedies.com/how-to/how-to-heal-cracked-feet.html, http://www.livestrong.com/article/88036-home-remedies-extremely-dry-feet/,http://mcdermottfootcare.com/2012/01/28/8-tips-for-dry-cracked-heels/, http://mcdermottfootcare.com/2012/01/28/8-tips-for-dry-cracked-heels/