Cracked feet are a very common foot problem and are not only a nuisance but can also lead to a more serious problem if left untreated. Occasionally severely cracked heels can get infected and lead to a skin infection called cellulitis. This condition also known as fissures can occur on both adults and children though they seem to mostly affect women than men.

What causes cracked feet? Cracked feet usually occur when the skin around heels becomes dry and thick. The extra pressure on the fat pad of your heels can cause dry, thick skin to form cracks. Other causes of cracked feet might also include; dry and cold weather, wearing open-heeled shoes like sandals, standing for long periods, using harsh soaps among many more.

The good news though is, treating cracked is very possible and doesn’t have to be complicated. Read on to learn some simple ways to soothe your cracked heels as well the best remedies for cracked heels that you can try at home.

1. Moisturize consistently

Moisturizing plays a huge role whether you’re trying to prevent cracked feet or to heal them. Using a good moisturizer at least once or twice day will help keep fluids in your skin, minimize loss and even attract more from the underlying tissues. Also try to be consistent with a specific lotion or cream to prevent cracked feet. For severe cases you can also use a heel balm which contain ingredients to moisturize, soften and exfoliate dead skin.

2. Up your water intake

Your skin tends to lose a lot of water throughout the day especially in dry climates and this might also be a reason for cracked feet. Therefore, occasionally try to grab a bottle of water instead of just tending to your feet. Ensure you’re hydrated as it goes a long way towards preventing it soothing your cracked feet. To help keep your water intake in check, you can use a water bottle or even an app to help you track the amount of water you take.

3. Don’t peel or shave your calluses

More often than not we tend to pick at our cracked feet and peel off the dead skin with our fingers. Professionals do not advice doing this since it can lead to a very bad infections. Doctors are the only people allowed to touch your calluses since they use sterile tools in clean environment.

4. Try petroleum jelly

Petroleum jelly is a heavy duty cream that can stay on the skin and form a protective barrier to prevent moisture loss. Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly after applying your lotion or cream to your cracked feet. Do this every night before sleep for faster results.

5. Soak your foot

Just before you exfoliate the calluses you need to soak your cracked feet. This will help soften the skin so that you do not end up scrubbing your feet roughly. But make sure only doing this after the cracks have healed since the skin might be sensitive at that time. Also be gentle and don’t over-exfoliate as you might irritate the skin even more. To soak, you can use products like anti-bacterial tea tree oil or some home remedies like milk and honey and soak for about 10 minutes twice a week. Honey has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that can help heal wounds and moisturize the skin.

6. Exfoliate your feet

After soaking your feet, it’s now time to exfoliate. Avoid scrubbing your feet when they are dry as this might increase risk for damaged skin. The best product is a pumice stone. This will help remove the dry skin and calluses easily but gently. Ensure you maintain cleanliness especially with the stone since it has crevices that might fill up with dead skin and encourage bacteria. You can soak it every once a week in some cleanser bleach and then rinse it with clean water.

7. Wear closed shoes and socks

Open shoes like sandals are one of the common causes of cracked feet. So to prevent this try wearing more closed shoes like sneakers or rubbers. You can also protect your feet further by wearing not just normal socks but moisturizing socks. These provide extra benefits since they protect your heels and are made especially for cracked feet. Another benefit is they are end up softening your entire foot since they are heavy and warm.