How To Treat Cracked Heels

My son has a recurring problem with cracked heels. Being a competitive sportsman in the art of Akido, he trains intensively and regular practices left thick yellow calluses along the inside of his heels. The skin peels and can sometimes bleed. It pains me to see the state of his feet.

Dry cracked heels can happen to anyone. It is commonly caused by exposing your feet to the elements, prolonged standing, regular use of open back footwear, being overweight and walking barefoot on hard surfaces.

If untreated and with increasing pressure on the heels, the dry, rough skin and minor cracks can become more severe with deeper, bleeding cracks, which are painful and can become infected.The cracks may be so deep that they start to tear and bleed.

Treatment:
To get rid of dry skin on heels with minimal effort, you need a natural pumice stone and just a little extra attention to your feet while you are in the shower. Pumice stones can be bought cheaply at your local drugstore. I go for basic, unadorned ones. To use, soften the skin of the heels and dip your pumice stone in warm soapy water. Rub the stone gently against your heel to exfoliate dead skin . Rubbing too vigorously can break the skin and cause bleeding, cuts and scratches. Wipe feet dry and use a rich moisturiser or cream. There are many reputable formulas such as Kerasal and Scholl, available in stores for treating cracked heels. If you prefer to use a rich emollient body type moisturisers or cream, I suggest Shea butter or any other cream containing lanolin. I do not find much improvement with Vaseline or virgin coconut oil. My son has excellent results with Shea butter. It is best to apply liberally after a shower and then cover your feet with thick cotton socks overnight.

Some home remedies that might interest you:
Apply mashed ripe banana on the heels and leave on for 10 minutes to dry. Rinse off well with water, this remedy will provide much needed relief from the pain of heel cracks.

Alternatively, to relax sore feet, soak your feet in the lemon juice for 10 minutes once a week. A regular application of a mixture of glycerin and rosewater is also encouraged to soothe and cure cracked heels.

Preventive measures:
To prevent cracked heels, avoid wearing socks made of synthetic materials; cotton socks absorb moisture better and allow the skin on your heels to "breathe". Try not to have too hot showers as this can have a drying effect on the skin.

If you have any existing foot conditions such as flat arches, wear an arch support device that will help to support the foot at all times.

Keep the usage of open back footwear to the minimum or moisturise the heels if you choose to wear them.