Fact Checked
Cracked feet can occur in individuals of all ages and mostly due to lack of moisture. Dry and cracked feet can also be caused by using harsh soaps, cold weather, being overweight, water exposure, not wearing proper foot wear and certain conditions such as psoriasis, eczema as well as diabetes and thyroid disease.
Symptoms
- Peeling skin
- Red and flaky patches in the area
- Itchiness
- Bleeding from the cracks and pain
- Sometimes, cracked heel can become infected along with severe pain
Causes
- Dry and cracked feet can be caused by low humidity, cold weather, aging and long periods of exposure to the sun.
- The feet are not capable of maintaining moisture.
- Physical stress can cause an increase in the temperature of the feet and result to loss of water in the skin.
- Water deficiency in the skin can result to dry and cracked feet such as taking hot baths or showers and using harsh soaps.
Treatment for cracked skin
- Scrubbing the hard and dead skin helps treat dry and cracked feet. Before going to bed, mix liquid soap in a foot tub filled with warm water. Soak the feet in the soapy solution for at least 20 minutes. Use a pumice stone to scrub the loosened dead skin cells and then rinse the feet with clean water and pat dry with a towel. Apply foot cream or moisturizer and wear clean cotton socks overnight. Repeat this remedy every day until the condition is completely healed.
- Glycerine is a moisturizer and humectant which helps retain water to minimize dry and cracked feet. Mix equal parts of glycerin and lemon juice or rose water. Apply this mixture on the feet and leave it on for at least 20 minutes and rinse off with water. Perform this remedy for at 2 two weeks.
- The acetic acid found in vinegar helps in treating dry and cracked feet. It helps soften the skin and makes exfoliation easy. Mix ½-1 cup of white or apple cider vinegar in 2 cups of water and soak the affected feet in the solution for at least 10-15 minutes and scrub off the dead and dry skin using a pumice stone or foot scrubber. Wash off the feet, pat dry thoroughly and apply moisturizer or petroleum jelly
- Mix ½ cup of Epsom salt with warm water. Mix well and then soak the feet in the solution for at least 10 minutes. Rub the feet using a pumice stone and then return the feet to soak in the solution for another 10 minutes. Wash it off and dry the cracked feet and apply moisturizer and petroleum jelly. Perform this procedure at least 2-3 days.