What Causes Cracked Heels & How To Cure Them Naturally?

Are you tired of covering your dry, crusty, cracked heels by wearing shoes all the time? While cracked heels, also known as heel fissures, are the most common foot condition, they can cause severe discomfort and pain.

In some cases, untreated cracked heels eventually lead to infection and form brown or yellow calluses on the feet. In this article, let's find the best treatments and home remedies for cracked heels.

Our Ayurvedic Doctor Speaks

‘’Padadari - cracked feet/ heels is enlisted under the Kshudra rogas (minor diseases) of Ayurveda. The line of treatment includes the external application of beeswax and resin of Shorea robusta (Sarja rasa). Various dosha-balancing pastes and skin healing unguents, made from ghee and mustard oil are also prescribed. Ayurveda also recommends sira vedhan (bloodletting) for advanced cases under the guidance of an expert Panchakarma specialist.”

-Dr. Zeel Gandhi (Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine & Surgery), Chief Ayurvedic Doctor, Vedix

What Causes Dry Cracked Heels?

The heels develop cracks or fissures when there is insufficient moisture, i.e, severe dryness in the skin[1]. Eventually, these cracks turn sore and may lead to bleeding at times. If left untreated, microbes make their way into your body through deeply cracked heels, which can further lead to different infections and illnesses.

Some common factors that cause dryness in the feet, leading to cracking and fissures are:

• Not drinking a sufficient amount of water.
• Poor nutrition, which results in deficiencies of vitamin C, B-3, B-12 and E.
• Exposing your heels to cold temperatures or low humid climate
• Using shoes without proper heel support
• Standing for prolonged hours every day
• Walking around barefoot on hard flooring for a long time.
• Bathing in hot showers for a long time
• Using soaps and foot cleansers loaded with harsh ingredients
• Fungal infections such as Athlete's foot, which develops due to damp socks or sweaty feet.
• Medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity, hypothyroidism, eczema, juvenile plantar dermatosis, and Sjogren's syndrome.

''High sugar levels in the blood of diabetic people damage the nerves in their feet, leading to poor blood circulation[3]. This in turn results in dry and cracked heels,'' says Dr. Zeel.

How Do You Get Rid Of Cracked Heels?

1. Ayurvedic Treatment For Cracked Heels

In Ayurveda, the condition of cracked heels is termed as 'Pada dari' (Pada means feet & Dari or Darana means cracking). This is considered to be caused due to aggravation of Vata dosha in the localized area.

Dr. Zeel Gandhi, Chief Ayurvedic Doctor at Vedix states that ‘’Pada dari is enlisted under the Kshudra rogas (minor diseases) of Ayurveda. The line of treatment includes the external application of beeswax and resin of Shorea robusta (Sarja rasa).

Various dosha-balancing pastes and skin healing unguents, made from ghee and mustard oil are also prescribed. Ayurveda also recommends sira vedhan (bloodletting) for advanced cases under the guidance of an expert Panchakarma specialist.”

Ayurveda has suggested certain herbal remedies as discussed below to deal with cracked heels:

• Mix neem oil and sesame oil in a 1:3 ratio. Add 1 spoon of turmeric powder, 1 spoon of neem powder, and 1 spoon of sandalwood powder into the oil mixture. Now, add boiled aloe vera gel, extracted from 3-4 small pieces, into the mixture. Apply this paste to your cracked feet every day and wash it off after half an hour.
• In the above recipe, replace the neem and sesame oil with cow ghee[4] and apply it if you have cracked heels associated with a burning sensation.
• Ayurveda suggests massaging your cracked heels with Vata-pacifying warm sesame oil regularly. You can also add some castor oil into sesame oil and use it if you have deep fissures in the heels. To reduce the burning sensation, add half a spoon of camphor powder into the oil mixture and massage it into your cracked heels.
• Ayurvedic doctors may prescribe herbal ointments made of ingredients such as gotu kola, manjishta, sariva, gairika, chandana, yashtimadhu, tila, haridra, nimba, kumari, sarjarasa, haritaki[5], etc. as a cure for cracked heels.
• Internal medications prescribed for cracked heels include sarivadyavaleha, chandanadi churna, ksheerabla 1-1 avartita taila, sarivadyasava, chandanasava, dhanwantara taila, etc.

Researchers from Gujarat Ayurved University found that ‘Snuhi oil’ prepared from the herb Euphorbia caducifolia (rakta snuhi), rock salt (saindhava lavana), and mustard oil (sarshapa taila) significantly improved the cracks in the feet.

Also, in a clinical study conducted in 2016, researchers found that a foot care cream containing 2% of Centella asiatica leaf (Brahmi/Gotu kola) extract was very effective in healing cracked feet.

Important Note:

Any of the above-mentioned Ayurvedic medications should be taken only under the guidance of your Ayurvedic doctor.

Vedix Tip:

When you have cracked heels, avoid oily and fried foods. Also avoid pepper, chillies, bitter gourd, etc. These cause Pitta imbalance, which can lead to an increased burning sensation in the fissures.

2. Home Remedies

A. Honey

The natural antiseptic properties[6] of honey aid in healing fissures in the feet. As a natural humectant, honey adds moisture to your cracked heels and prevents dryness.

Add a cup of honey into a tub of lukewarm water. Put your clean feet into the tub and massage them for 15-20 minutes gently. Later, pat your feet dry and apply a cream-based moisturizer. Do this daily until you notice improvement.

B. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil nourishes the skin well and aids in retaining moisture levels. Also, it has natural antimicrobial[7] and anti-inflammatory properties which can help in preventing infections in cracked heels.

Massage your feet thoroughly for 5-10 minutes using warm virgin coconut oil daily before you hit the bed.

C. Banana

Banana is rich in essential nutrients such as vitamins A, B6, C, etc. which help in improving the elasticity of your skin. Also, it keeps your feet well hydrated.

Researchers from PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, found that an anti-heel crack band made of banana peel gel is very effective in treating cracked heels.

Mash 2 ripe bananas into a smooth paste. Apply this generously to your feet, especially focusing on your cracked heels. Rinse your feet with lukewarm water after half an hour. Do this every day for 2 weeks for the best results.

D. Vegetable Oil

Loaded with nutrients such as vitamins A, D, and E, vegetable or cooking oil is great for treating cracked heels while it acts as a natural emollient[8]. It is easily absorbed into the skin and helps in restoring the damaged skin cells in your cracked heels.

Apply 2-3 spoons of warm vegetable oil to your feet thoroughly. Massage your heels for 5 minutes. Wear clean cotton socks and leave them overnight. Do this daily before your bedtime to heal your cracked heels.

E. Vaseline & Lemon Juice

Lemon has acidic properties that help in loosening the hardened dead skin layers of your cracked heels. Also, it has antimicrobial properties which help in preventing infections. On the other hand, vaseline acts as a protective barrier for your skin and helps in retaining the moisture levels in the heels.

Put your feet in a tub of lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes. Pat them dry with a clean towel. Add 4-5 drops of fresh lemon juice into a spoon of vaseline. Use this mixture to gently massage your cracked heels and other parts of your feet. Do this daily for best results.

F. Rice Flour, Vinegar & Honey

Rice flour has exceptional exfoliating properties and aids in eliminating dead skin cells. Vinegar with a slightly acidic nature[9] helps in softening the hard and cracked skin in the heels. Additionally, honey acts as a natural moisturizer for your feet.

Add a spoon of honey and 5-6 drops of vinegar into 2-3 spoons of rice flour. Use this mixture to scrub your feet to remove the dead skin cells in your cracked heels. Do this twice or thrice a week.

3. Other Treatments

A. Topical Healing Balms

Applying healing balms or moisturizers[10] containing humectants (urea, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, gelatin, ammonium lactate, etc.) and occlusive agents (stearyl alcohol, paraffin, cholesterol, petrolatum, lanolin, etc.) are very effective in treating cracked heels.

B. Foot Exfoliation

Soak your feet in lukewarm water for 15-20 minutes. Using a pumice stone[11], loofah, or foot file, gently scrub the hard, thick skin on your heels for a few minutes. You can also opt to use foot scrub creams daily.

C. Cotton Socks During Night

After washing and moisturizing your feet at night, wearing cotton socks will improve the softness of your heels.

D. Liquid Bandage

Applying a liquid bandage or medical grade skin adhesive (glue) helps in sealing the wounded fissures in the heel and prevents further cracking. This is very effective when you have bleeding cracks in the heels. However, ensure you clean and dry the heels well before applying a liquid bandage.

E. Keratolytic Creams

If the skin on your heels is extremely hard and thick, then applying creams containing keratolytic agents[12] such as salicylic acid, urea, lactic acid, glycolic acid, etc. helps in loosening the hardened outer skin layer.

‘’In mild cases of heel cracks, you can also use micropore tapes on the fissures overnight to control the hoop stress in the cracks,’’ says Dr. Zeel. In a study conducted by the PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, it was found that occlusion with micropore tape is an effective treatment for fissures in the feet.

How To Prevent Cracked Heels?

Some of the essential steps to prevent cracked heels are as below:

1. Check Your Feet Regularly

Keep checking how dry your feet are, especially your heels. Accordingly, maintain your moisturizing efforts, be it applying a thick cream generously, hydrating your body with adequate water consumption, etc.

2. Clean Your Feet Daily

Wash your feet every day with a gentle cleanser to prevent bacterial and fungal infections. While taking a bath, you can scrub your heels gently for a few minutes every day by using a pumice stone.

3. Moisturize Your Feet After Cleansing

Every time after washing or exfoliating your feet, do not forget to apply a generous amount of moisturizer.

In a randomized study conducted in 2017, researchers found that a moisturizer containing glycerin, urea, and petrolatum is very useful in treating deep open heel fissures in diabetic patients.

4. Avoid Using Harsh Skin Products

Some harsh chemicals present in certain skin care products can increase the dryness in your feet and worsen the condition of your cracked heels. Hence, you need to avoid using harsh soaps or scented skin products on your feet to prevent cracked heels.

5. Stay Hydrated

You need to drink an adequate amount of water (2.3-3 litres) every day to keep your skin properly hydrated. ‘’Hydration not only prevents your heels from cracking but also improves your innate immunity,’’ says Dr. Zeel.

6. Protect Your Feet In Extreme Weather Conditions

Minimize the exposure of your feet to extreme conditions such as too much coldness or hot temperatures with low humidity. You can use double-layered socks when it is extremely cold. Do not use damp socks or shoes for a long time. Also, make sure your feet are not constantly exposed to sunlight.

7. Use Closed Footwear

Avoid wearing open-backed sandals and shoes if you have heels that are prone to dryness and cracks. You can wear closed shoes or at least use socks while wearing open-backed footwear. Also, avoid wearing tight shoes.

What Do Cracked Heels Say About Your Health?

In most cases, cracked heels or fissures are not indicative of any underlying health condition, but are caused due to extreme dehydration. However, in some cases, cracked heels can be a sign of severe vitamin deficiency in the body, especially vitamins C, B-3, B-12, and E.

Also, people with conditions such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, and Sjogren's syndrome are at risk of developing cracked heels.

In a case-control study on Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Foot Ulcers in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, it was found that the deficiency of vitamin B12 has a significant association with foot ulcers in Type-2 diabetic patients.

When Should You See A Doctor About Cracked Heels?

If your cracked heels do not show any improvement even after treating them for 1-2 weeks with any of the above-mentioned treatments, then you need to consult your Podiatrist. The doctor may recommend specific skin tests, diabetes tests, and other tests to evaluate the underlying cause of your cracked heels.

Based on the root cause and severity of the condition, your doctor may suggest any of the following treatments:

A. Strapping: It involves dressing the bandage tightly around your cracked heels to prevent the movement of the affected skin.

B. Debridement: It is a surgical procedure in which the medical professional carefully cuts away the cracked and hardened skin patches on your heels.

C. Topical Medications: Stronger ointments and creams containing a high percentage of softening agents such as salicylic acid or urea can be prescribed by your doctor.

D. Glue: It is skin-friendly glue[13] that can be used to hold the edges of the deep fissures together on your heels.

E. Shoe Inserts: Doctors may suggest using insoles in the shoes for better weight distribution and support for your heels.

Important Note:

Please follow any of the above-mentioned treatments for cracked heels only after consulting your doctor.

The Last Word

• There are some reliable and effective home remedies and Ayurvedic treatments to cure cracked heels in the initial stage.
• Ignoring the condition can deepen the fissures and lead to infections, which may need surgical treatments
• Hence, do not neglect cracked heels and treat them at an early stage itself.

Know Your Dosha Now