Dry Skin Remedies for Cracked Heels

The heels of the feet are probably the most vulnerable to developing cracked skin. In fact, cracked heels that are left unattended could lead to a more serious condition if the skin becomes inflamed.

Dry, flaky skin on the heel of the foot, can become severely irritated, leading to broken fissures that could bleed, and become infected. Preventing this problem from ever occurring may be your best protection. There are steps, however, that can be taken to help you find relief from the agony, cracked heels may bring.

Here are some dry skin remedies that can help moisturize cracked heels.

• Rich, heavy, emollients and creams are recommended as one the best products for moisturizing cracked heels. These products may adhere to the heel of the foot better, and longer, for example, than a thinner lotion. A thicker cream may absorb better through the skin allowing more moisturizer to combat the irritation of dry, cracked skin on the heel.

• Use exfoliating cream that contains both an exfoliate and moisturizer, to first rid the cracked heel of any dry, flaky, and dead skin cells, as well as, moisturizing the affected area to ensure no further damage of the skin occurs. If the skin on the heel is not severely broken, you may try to lightly rub a pumice stone to remove any dead skin cells on the surface of the heel. This can make it easier for the exfoliating and moisturizing creams to take effect.

• Another dry skin remedy that helps cracked heels obtain moisture is by soaking them. Use warm water, not hot, and add approximately a half cup of Epsom salt to the water. Soak you’re feet for at least 10 minutes. When you are finished soaking your feet, dry them off thoroughly, then add a rich emollient to the skin’s surface all around the heel, carefully massaging it into the cracked fissures. Petroleum jelly works well, and is less expensive than other foot creams or gels. Olive oil is also an alternative choice for a moisturizer.

• Wear socks overnight after deep moisturizing. The socks will help lock the moisture in your skin better, thereby moisturizing the skin continually all night. There are also therapeutic socks available on the market today, which contain a gel-like moisturizer to lubricate the skin medicinally all through the night. Most of these therapeutic socks are not restrictive, to the circulation around your ankles and feet.

• To avoid further cracking of the skin on your heels, it may be wise to refrain from using harsh soaps on your heels, or scrubbing your heels with any harsh abrasives. Harsher soaps tend to dry skin out even further, increasing the chances of heels to crack further.

It’s important to remember if any of your remedies to moisturize your cracked heels, does not provide relief and the skin condition reddens, or worsens, it’s best to consult a podiatrist who may prescribe alternative treatments and medications.

Dry cracked heels can now have the attention they need with remedies that can help moisturize, and heal the skin, back to a more normal, and healthy condition.