You know the feeling. You take off your shoes after a long day, and your feet are screaming at you. Your heels are dry, cracked, and sore. You don’t want to put your shoes back on, but you know you have to face the world again tomorrow.
While you can’t always prevent dry, cracked heels, you can take steps to heal them. Check out these seven ways to fix your dry, cracked heels at home.
1. Use A Heel Balm
This is the first step in treating your dry, cracked heels. A heel balm will help to moisturize and protect your skin. Look for a balm that contains ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, or cocoa butter. These ingredients will help to create a barrier on your skin that will lock in moisture.
For best results, apply the balm to your feet before bed and put on a pair of socks. This will give the balm time to work its magic overnight.
2. Soak Your Feet
If your heels are especially dry and cracked, you may need to soak them before applying a heel balm or cream. This will help to soften the dead skin on your heels so that it can be removed more easily.
To soak your feet, fill a bowl or basin with warm water and add a cup of Epsom salt. Soak your feet for 20 minutes, then use a pumice stone to remove any dead skin. Repeat this process two or three times a week until your heels are healed.
3. Exfoliate Your Feet
Exfoliating your feet is another important step in treating dry, cracked heels. Exfoliating removes the dead skin cells that can build up on your feet and lead to dryness and cracking.
When exfoliating your feet, be sure to use a gentle scrub. A harsh scrub can further irritate your skin and make your dry, cracked heels worse.
4. Use A Heel Cream
Heel creams are thicker than balms and are specifically designed to treat dry, cracked heels. Look for a cream that contains urea, which is a natural moisturizer that can help to soften and heal your skin.
For optimal results, apply the cream to your feet after soaking and exfoliating. Then, put on a pair of foot peel socks and leave them for 60-90 minutes.
5. Apply Petroleum Jelly
If you don’t have a heel balm or cream on hand, you can use petroleum jelly to moisturize your feet. Petroleum jelly is an inexpensive way to lock in moisture and protect your skin. It has the added benefit of being super easy to find—you probably already have a jar in your medicine cabinet!
For the best results, apply petroleum jelly to your feet before bed. Repeat the process every night until your heels are healed.
6. Avoid Harsh Soaps
Harsh soaps can strip your skin of its natural oils, which can lead to dryness and cracking. When washing your feet, be sure to use a gentle soap or foot wash. You might even want to consider investing in a foot spa that has built-in massage jets to pamper your feet while you clean them.
Also, avoid soaking your feet for too long. Soaking for more than 20 minutes can lead to dry, irritated skin.
7. Apply A Healing Ointment
If your heels are cracked and bleeding, you’ll need to take extra care to prevent infection. Apply a healing ointment to any cracks or open wounds. Then, cover your feet with a bandage or gauze pad and wear socks to keep the ointment in place.
One thing to remember is that today, there are many healings ointment options available on the market. Choose one that will work best for you and your needs. If you don’t know which to choose, ask your doctor or pharmacist for a recommendation.
Conclusion
When it comes to your feet, don’t neglect them. Taking care of your feet now will prevent problems down the road. Use these seven tips to heal dry, cracked heels so you can put your best foot forward.
