Wouldn't you love to walk around in sandals all summer long? Unfortunately, your feet aren't looking lovely. Let's learn how to heal cracked heels fast, because there's more to those cracked heels than it looks.
You might see dry, cracked heels as a minor nuisance. But believe it or not, the condition can actually lead to some serious complications like fungal infections and foot ulcers. (1)
That's because cracks in the heel tend to grow when left untreated, peeling back the protective layer of skin and exposing more vulnerable flesh. (2)
And you'd be surprised how much harmful bacteria your feet come into contact with, especially during the summer months. (3)
You'll want to deal with cracked feet as soon as possible.
Luckily, that doesn't have to be difficult or costly.
Regardless of the cause of your cracked heels – be it damaging soap, cold weather, sun exposure or age – these natural remedies will have your feet rivaling those of a foot model in no time! (4)
The acid in lemon juice is very effective at dissolving the hard, dead skin around cracked heels. (5)
You can apply the lemon juice directly to your heels using a washcloth, or you can dilute the juice in warm water to make a foot soak.
Whichever method you choose, scrub your heels using a loofah or coarse cloth to remove the dead skin once it's dissolved. Then follow up with Aloe Vera gel or your favorite non-petroleum based moisturizer.
Olive oil is a great moisturizer that can soothe sore, cracked heels better than just about any commercial cream out there. (6)
As a bonus, it's also antibacterial. As such, it will protect your cracked heels from any infection-causing bacteria that may be getting ready to attack. (7)
You can apply the olive oil directly to your heel. It's that simple!
One study on coconut oil found that after just 8 weeks of use, participants' skin was better able to retain moisture. What's more, after 2 months, the patients saw a 68% decrease in their atopic dermatitis. (9)
Past studies have shown that coconut oil is also a very effective anti-fungal and antibacterial substance. (10)
In other words, it's the perfect remedy for cracked and dry feet. For best results, apply virgin coconut oil to your heels at night and put on socks before going to sleep. (11)
Want a yummy way to heal cracked heels? Honey is another natural antibacterial substance. It can also dissolve dead skin with ease and improve foot circulation. (12)
To use it for your cracked heels, add one cup of honey to a gallon of warm water. Then, soak your feet for about 15 minutes. If the skin on your feet is especially dry and hard, feel free to soak your feet longer. (13)
In the past, we've written about how milk is not so good for your bones. But what it is great for is your skin, thanks to its high vitamin A and lactic acid content. (14)
Create a foot bath using the milk by combining 1 cup of milk with 5-7 cups of warm water. Soak for about 15 minutes and then scrub your heels to remove any dead skin.
Sesame oil is rich in fatty acids as well as linoleic acid, both of which are effective moisturizers. Sesame oil also contains vitamins E, D and B, which are great for repairing skin damage. (15)
What's more, sesame oil is great for use as a massage oil. In fact, you can buy sesame oil-based compounds meant specifically for this purpose.
For best results, use this method at night after soaking your feet in warm water for about 10 minutes. You can heal cracked heels while you sleep!
If your cracked heels are caused by a condition like athlete's foot, turmeric is for you. The yellow spice is a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory substance that will effectively treat the fungal infection at the root of your feet problems. (16)
Mix 3 tablespoons of turmeric powder with a few drops of coconut oil to form a thick paste. Apply this to your feet and leave it to sit for about 30 minutes.
Heal Cracked Heels Fast
Treatment #1 – Lemon Juice
The acid in lemon juice is very effective at dissolving the hard, dead skin around cracked heels. (5)
You can apply the lemon juice directly to your heels using a washcloth, or you can dilute the juice in warm water to make a foot soak.
Whichever method you choose, scrub your heels using a loofah or coarse cloth to remove the dead skin once it's dissolved. Then follow up with Aloe Vera gel or your favorite non-petroleum based moisturizer.
Treatment #2 – Olive Oil
Olive oil is a great moisturizer that can soothe sore, cracked heels better than just about any commercial cream out there. (6)
As a bonus, it's also antibacterial. As such, it will protect your cracked heels from any infection-causing bacteria that may be getting ready to attack. (7)
You can apply the olive oil directly to your heel. It's that simple!
Treatment #3 – Coconut Oil
One study on coconut oil found that after just 8 weeks of use, participants' skin was better able to retain moisture. What's more, after 2 months, the patients saw a 68% decrease in their atopic dermatitis. (9)
Past studies have shown that coconut oil is also a very effective anti-fungal and antibacterial substance. (10)
In other words, it's the perfect remedy for cracked and dry feet. For best results, apply virgin coconut oil to your heels at night and put on socks before going to sleep. (11)
Treatment #4 – Honey
Want a yummy way to heal cracked heels? Honey is another natural antibacterial substance. It can also dissolve dead skin with ease and improve foot circulation. (12)
To use it for your cracked heels, add one cup of honey to a gallon of warm water. Then, soak your feet for about 15 minutes. If the skin on your feet is especially dry and hard, feel free to soak your feet longer. (13)
Treatment #5 – Milk
In the past, we've written about how milk is not so good for your bones. But what it is great for is your skin, thanks to its high vitamin A and lactic acid content. (14)
Create a foot bath using the milk by combining 1 cup of milk with 5-7 cups of warm water. Soak for about 15 minutes and then scrub your heels to remove any dead skin.
Treatment #6 – Sesame Oil
Sesame oil is rich in fatty acids as well as linoleic acid, both of which are effective moisturizers. Sesame oil also contains vitamins E, D and B, which are great for repairing skin damage. (15)
What's more, sesame oil is great for use as a massage oil. In fact, you can buy sesame oil-based compounds meant specifically for this purpose.
For best results, use this method at night after soaking your feet in warm water for about 10 minutes. You can heal cracked heels while you sleep!
Treatment #7 – Turmeric
If your cracked heels are caused by a condition like athlete's foot, turmeric is for you. The yellow spice is a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory substance that will effectively treat the fungal infection at the root of your feet problems. (16)
Mix 3 tablespoons of turmeric powder with a few drops of coconut oil to form a thick paste. Apply this to your feet and leave it to sit for about 30 minutes.
