Symptoms of
Cracked Feet
The signs and symptoms of cracked heels
indicate the external abuse of the feet or faulty internal activity.
- Rough skin on the feet- this is one of the first signs that
indicate you are going to develop cracked feet. The callus skin around the
heels will lead to cracks
- Red, flaky patches- red and flaky skin on the feet shows that
your feet need more care. If you ignore the flaky skin the condition will
worsen
- Cracks on the underside of the feet or fissures- this symptom
follows the red, flaky skin. Cracks on the feet are a definite sign of
cracked feet and immediate remedy is required to improve the condition of
the skin. Do not pull out the pieces of dry skin. Clip away the dead
skin using small scissors.
- Itchiness- The shrinking of the upper layers of the skin causes
stretching of the skin below and this result in itching.
- Rash caused by itching- the itching if left untreated can lead
to rash which may be painful. Get rid of the upper layers of the skin
before you start any treatment for dry and cracked feet.
- Bleeding or discharge from the cracks- when the cracks affect
the deeper layers of the skin bleeding or discharge from the cracks
occurs. This increases the chances of infection of the cracked skin.
- Symptoms worsening during winter- The symptoms like dryness,
itchiness and rash increases during cold climate.
Causes of
Cracked Feet
The important causes that lead to cracked
feet are
- Naturally dry skin - excessive feet activity cause the
naturally dry skin to crack
- Standing for a long time- standing on hard floors for a long time
cause cracked heels
- Being overweight- excess weight cause pressure on the feet
and cause the feet to expand leading to cracked heels
- Medical conditions- diseases such as diabetes and thyroid problems
and skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema, and athlete’s foot cause
cracked feet.
- Aging- aging cause the loss of natural oils from the skin resulting
in dry skin which tends to crack
- Continuous exposure to water- keeping the feet in water for a long
time while bathing or doing any other work standing in water or wet areas
remove the natural oils from the skin of the feet. This will leave the
skin dry and rough
- Low humidity levels- during cold weather the humidity will be less
causing the drying up of the exposed skin. The heating systems also make
the skin to dry up.
- Non-moisturizing soap- Non- moisturizing soaps when used will not
replenish the moisture of the skin causing cracks or fissures of the skin.
Remedies for
Cracked feet
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.
- Before going to bed, mix some liquid
soap in a foot tub filled with warm water.
- Soak your feet in this warm soapy
water for about 20 minutes.
- Use a pumice stone to gently scrub off
the loosened dead skin cells.
- Rinse off your feet with clean water
and pat dry with a soft towel.
- Apply some foot cream or moisturizer
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 moisturize your
feet and also fights fungal and bacterial infections, thanks to its
antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
- Before going to sleep, soak your feet
in warm water and scrub with a loofah.
- Dry your feet thoroughly and then
apply coconut oil generously on your feet.
- Put on a pair of clean, cotton socks
for the night.
- 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.
- Apply some mentholated rub on clean,
dry feet before going to bed.
- Put on a pair of socks and leave it on
overnight.
- 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
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.
5.
Glycerin
Due to its moisturizing
and humectant properties, glycerin works as a great remedy to get rid of
cracked feet.
- Make a mixture of equal parts of
glycerin and lemon juice. You can also add some rose water.
- Apply it on your feet.
- Leave it on for 20 minutes and wash it
off with water.
- Follow this remedy daily for about two
weeks.
6. Epsom
Salt
Epsom
facilitates the process of healing cracked feet as it promotes circulation.
Plus, the magnesium in Epsom salt promotes skin health and draws out toxins.
- Add one-half cup of Epsom salt in a foot
tub filled with warm water.
- Soak your feet in it for 10 minutes.
- Gently rub your feet with a
pumice stone for a few minutes.
- Put your feet back in the Epsom salt
soak for another 10 minutes.
- Finally, dry your feet thoroughly and
apply a moisturizer or petroleum jelly.
- Repeat daily for two or three days.
REMEMBER
To prevent
cracked feet, one should understand the cause of the problem. People with
naturally dry skin should take some extra care to keep the feet moisturized
using different methods.
- You can use any natural oil or creams
to keep the skin moisturized
- Do not use products containing alcohol
as they will further dry up the skin
- Use baby oil which are mild and which
do not contain any skin irritants
- Apply moisturizers on the feet after
bathing
- Use mild soaps while bathing
- Do not use excess hot water for bathing
as this will remove the oils from the skin
- Drink plenty of water to keep the skin
hydrated
- Avoid saunas and steam baths which
will contribute to the dry foot condition
- Wear right fitting shoes which will
allow your feet to breathe
- Avoid excessive sweating of the feet
- Avoid the use of alcohol and
caffeine which will increase the itchy feeling in cracked feet
It is easy
to control the cracked feet condition if proper preventive measures are taken
or proper home remedies are taken at the right time to reduce the symptoms of
cracked feet. If you feel that the itching and pain are severe and there is
bleeding or discharge from the cracked areas of the feet then you can see a
podiatrist who treat the skin conditions of the feet or you can go to an
experienced dermatologist. You can visit the doctor only if the home remedies
are not effective for your cracked foot condition.