Treat dry feet and cracked heels with natural remedies

Cracked feet, also known as heel fissures, are a common problem for people of all ages, mostly caused by lack of moisture.

Other causes include, standing for long hours, using harsh soaps, cold weather, continuous exposure to water, being overweight, and wearing improper footwear. Conditions like eczema, psoriasis, thyroid disease and diabetes can also contribute to this problem.

Here are five soothing home remedies to beat the dry feet and cracked heals:

1. Scrubbing
Scrubbing the hard, dead skin away helps a great deal in getting rid of cracked feet. Before scrubbing, soak your feet in warm soapy water to help soften the skin and make it easier to scrub.

1. Before going to bed, mix some liquid soap in a foot tub filled with warm water.
2. Soak your feet in this warm soapy water for about 20 minutes.
3. Use a pumice stone to gently scrub off the loosened dead skin cells.
4. Rinse off your feet with clean water and pat dry with a soft towel.
5. Apply some foot cream or moisturiser and wear a pair of clean cotton socks overnight.

Follow this remedy daily until your cracked feet are healed completely.

2. Coconut oil
Coconut oil is another incredible remedy for dry, cracked feet. It helps moisturise your feet and also fights fungal and bacterial infections, thanks to its antimicrobial and antifungal properties.

1. Before going to sleep, soak your feet in warm water and scrub with a loofah.
2. Dry your feet thoroughly and then apply coconut oil generously on your feet.
3. Put on a pair of clean, cotton socks for the night.
4. The next morning, remove the socks and wash your feet.

Do this daily for several days until you are satisfied with the results.
You can also use olive oil in the same way.

3. Mentholated rub
This is another popular home remedy for cracked heels because of the many essential oils that it contains. It also helps heal toenail fungus.

1. Apply some mentholated rub on clean, dry feet before going to bed.
2. Put on a pair of socks and leave it on overnight.
3. The next morning, remove your socks and wash your feet with warm water.

Repeat daily for a few days until the rough skin peels off.

4. Paraffin wax

1. Heat some paraffin wax in a microwave or double-boiler and add an equal amount of mustard oil or coconut oil to it.
2. Apply this thick creamy paste on the cracks and put on a pair of socks.
3. Leave it on overnight and wash your feet thoroughly in the morning.

Follow this remedy daily for one or two weeks.

5. Glycerin

1. Make a mixture of equal parts of glycerin and lemon juice. You can also add some rose water.
2. Apply it on your feet.
3. Leave it on for 20 minutes and wash it off with water.

Follow this remedy daily for about two weeks.

Information for this article was sought on Style Craze and Healthline.

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