Cracks in the heels are not a purely aesthetic problem. When moving, a person rests on heels, which means their healthy state is the key to well-being in general.
Before urgently tackling this problem, it is necessary to find out the reason that contributed to the appearance of cracks, and there may be many of them. After finding out the cause of cracks, you can deal with the treatment at home.
Causes of cracking on the heels
- Inconvenient shoes.
- Drying the skin (for example, in summer when walking without shoes).
- Deficiency of vitamins E, A, F or their excess.
- Dermatological diseases.
- Hormonal imbalance.
- Indigestion.
Foot baths
Special baths recommended:
- Herbal
- Nettle infusion.
To prepare the solution, 2 tablespoons of nettle is poured with a gallon of boiling water, the solution should cool under a towel. After which the solution is filtered. The bath should be taken 15-20 minutes, after the legs are wiped and a 2% ointment with salicylic acid is applied. After these measures, it is recommended to usd a fat cream into the skin of the feet until completely absorbed. 
- On the infusion of oak bark
Two tablespoons of chopped oak bark is poured with two glasses of water and left for two hours. After infusion, boil for 30 minutes and filter.
- With starch.
It is recommended to do such a bath at night. 2 tablespoons of potato starch is poured with a gallon of warm water and mixed. In the resulting solution, the feet are steamed, washed, dry and keratinized areas are removed with pumice. After the legs have dried, a fat cream is applied. You can wear cotton or wool socks.
- With soda.
0,5 gallon of warm water (30-4 degrees) accounts for 1 tablespoon of baking soda. You can also add liquid soap. The duration of the procedure is 15-30 minutes.
- With salt.
The bath handles foot fatigue well. 1,1 gallon of warm, almost hot water requires a handful of salt. After the water cools down, they wipe their feet and usd in a moisturizing cream with massaging movements.
- With flax seed.
4 tablespoons of flaxseed are poured with boiling water and boiled for 20 minutes. The duration of taking the bath is 15 minutes. After that, linseed oil is applied to the legs and put on cotton or wool socks and left for 3 hours. At the end, it is recommended to usd a moisturizer. Do such a bath to achieve a result should be 2 times a week.
- Peppermint baths.
Such baths are prepared in preventive measures against fungal diseases at home and eliminate cracks in the heels.
Mint is infused in boiling water for two hours. After filtering the bath is ready. The procedure lasts 25-30 minutes.
Essential oils against cracked heels
Essential oils – one of the main means of dealing with cracks and dry skin on the heels in the home. Adding drops of eucalyptus, mint or linden to the oils is an excellent prevention of fungal diseases.
Essential oils can also be added to baths. To do this, add a few drops of lavender, peppermint and other oils to warm water. The exact dosage is indicated on the oil liner.
Arnica, chamomile, rosemary, peppermint, and yarrow oil are used in the preparation of bathtubs. It is necessary to massage the heels 2 times a day, rubbing 2-4 drops. The legs are steamed and pumice treated.
Homemade ointments
- Propolis ointment and wax.
100g Oils, 10g. Propolis, 5-10g. waxes are steamed until smooth. Dip in cold water, while stirring continuously. After cooling to a thickening, rubbed overnight, but before that it is recommended to steam the legs.
- Wax and oil ointment.
A glass of vegetable oil is mixed with wax and stir over low heat until smooth. Half of the crushed boiled yolk is added to the boiling mass. After the appearance of the foam, remove the pan from the fire, put it back after the foam has slept. The liquid mass is filtered and stored in the refrigerator.
After applying the ointment, the body area is tied with a bandage, wrapped in cellophane and left overnight.
- Calendula ointment.
3 large tablespoons of butter are heated in a water bath, after which 1 large tablespoons of calendula are added to it. Putting the mixture on low heat for an hour, close it with a lid.
An hour later, the mixture is removed from the heat and filtered. Essential oils are added and mixed thoroughly. Store the ointment in the refrigerator for 1 month.
- Blood ointment.
Bloodroot is a unique plant. The healing properties of this plant are undeniable. For the preparation of ointment 1 teaspoons. cinquefoil root, half teaspoons herbs of the same plant. 
After grinding, vaseline and propolis are heated and carefully ground cinquefoil is added to the finished base. Heated for 7-9 minutes. The ointment is ready for use after it is put in the refrigerator for a day. Apply a thin layer twice a day.
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Masks and compresses
- From oatmeal and linseed oil.
Pour boiling water over oat flakes and wait for them to swell (2-3 minutes). A tablespoon of butter is mixed with cereal. Place legs for 1.5 – 2 hours.
- From milk and coltsfoot.
Milk and mineral water are mixed in a ratio of 1: 4, after which the coltsfoot infusion is added. Apply for 15 minutes, wash off.
- With a decoction of elecampane.
There are 2 tablespoons of crushed elecampane roots per gallon of water. It is brought to a boil and infused overnight. Compresses are recommended to be used daily. 
- From honey and cabbage.
The honey is rubbed into problem areas (on steamed legs), after which they put a sheet of cabbage on it and fix it with a bandage overnight. In the morning, the compress is washed off with warm water. Use until the cracks are completely eliminated.
- From oils.
As a compress, you can use olive, castor, almond, corn and sunflower oils. Rub the skin with oil, put on woolen socks at night.
- From potatoes.
Potato compresses are applied for 1.5-2 hours daily for 10 days. Potatoes are rubbed on a grater. The resulting slurry is applied to the damaged areas. After the compress is washed off, the feet are treated with pumic
e and usd the cream.
- From butter and yogurt.
Half a glass of yogurt is whipped with 30 g of butter. After the bath, the mixture is rubbed into the area of cracks. Washed off after 40 minutes with warm water.
- From the onion.
Two medium-sized onions are rubbed on a grater. The resulting slurry is wrapped in gauze and applied to the heels. The compress is fixed with a film at night, in the morning it is washed off with warm water. Subsequent treatment with stop pumice is recommended. At the end, apply the cream.
- From apple and milk.
Two medium-sized apples are diced, after which they are added to 6,76 fluid ounce of milk. The resulting mixture is boiled for 15 minutes until the state of slurry (if the mixture turned out to be liquid, you can add flour). Next, impose a thick layer of 0. 2’4 – 0’4 inch on the problem areas and hold until the compress cools. Such a procedure is recommended at least 1 time per week.
- From prunes.
Prune compress is made by analogy with the apple and milk compress described above. Instead of an apple, prunes are used, boiled in milk to a state of slurry and applied in the form of a warm compress.
- From glycerin and vinegar.
Recommended use in especially advanced cases. Mix vinegar and glycerin in a ratio of 1: 3. Dip the cheesecloth into the solution and apply to the heels. The feet are wrapped in film and put on socks. The greatest result can be achieved if you do such a lotion for the night.
Cracked Olive Oil
Olive oil is a protector against problems such as cracked heels. Home treatment consists of a simple recipe for healthy heels. After steaming and removing coarsened areas with pumice, the olive oil is rubbed with massaging movements until completely absorbed. It is recommended to wear cotton or wool socks after this procedure.
Aloe
The healing properties of aloe were investigated several thousand years ago by ancient doctors. The main benefit is contained in the juice of the plant, it is he who has a positive effect on the whole human body as a whole.
The plant has an antiviral effect, removes toxins from the body, lowers blood sugar.
The plant has a widespread positive effect on the body due to the presence in the pulp of various compounds (esters, essential oils, vitamins, amino acids, polysaccharides, etc.)
At home, aloe oil is perfect for treating cracked heels. Also, in the presence of such a plant at home, aloe pieces are applied on the inside.
Wax
Wax is a product of the vital activity of bees. The complex biochemical composition is due to the presence of about 300 substances. Wax, paraffin and acid are mixed in the same proportion. Leave overnight on the feet, fixing with a bandage. After the procedure, it is recommended to take a bath.
Laundry soap
This tool is one of the most budgetary. Recommended procedures should be carried out if cracks have just begun to appear and do not bother when walking.
The procedure is carried out on clean, slightly damp feet. Problem areas are rubbed with a thin layer of laundry soap at night. It is recommended to use 72% soap. After putting on socks. In the morning, oily cream is applied to clean feet.
It is possible to carry out this procedure in a slightly different way: a layer of laundry soap is applied to clean feet and after 5-10 minutes the feet must be treated with a pumice stone. Upon completion, apply a layer of oily cream. It is recommended to carry out such procedures 2-3 times a week.
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Pharmacy products
- Cream “Healer”.
Apply to clean feet once a day. Efficiency is noted by many, but shortcomings such as a rather high price and slow action have been discovered.
- Cream balm “Ambulance”.
Recommended for accelerated healing of skin lesions. Apply 2-3 times a day to the damaged area of the skin. Use for complete healing. The cream received good reviews, the low price is also a plus.
- Cream “Gevol”.
Apply daily to clean and dry skin of the feet twice a day. Recommended use in conjunction with a cream Hydrobalance. The tool is very effective, but quite expensive. Well moisturizes the skin of the feet and removes cracks in the heels. Relieves fatigue and has a deodorizing effect.
- Cream “Shol”.
The cream gives an excellent and quick result in less than a week. The downside of this tool is only the price.
- Pine cream.
One of the most effective means to combat cracked heels. Result after 3 days. Reviews about it are extremely positive, except for the price.
The cream has a thick oily consistency, so it is enough to apply a small amount, but the result will not be long in coming.
- Calendula ointment.
Means based on natural ingredients. Apply a thin layer to the affected skin for 30-60 minutes and is fixed with a bandage 2-3 times a day. Pros: natural ingredients, efficiency, low price. Cons: long application procedure.
- Zinc ointment.
Pros: low price.
The tool has a lot of positive reviews proving its active effect on cracks. The number of procedures required before complete healing is 8-10.
- Salicylic ointment.
One of the most budget ointments. The product is applied to steamed, pumice-treated legs. The legs are wrapped in a plastic bag. Verified and approved by many. This procedure should be done 1 time per week.
- Crack patch.
Crack patches are full of variety. Their main purpose is to protect the wound from infection, softening the wound. Adhesive plasters are glued to the crack and left until complete healing.
- Silicone socks from cracks.
Convenient product made of special silicone impregnated with mineral oils. They soften and restore the skin of the heels. Socks are put on the feet at any time of the day, after application moisturize the feet with cream. The price is average.
- Hydro
gen peroxide.
Reduces the activity of pathogens, softens the skin of the feet and heels and improves the appearance of the feet as a whole. One of the ways to prepare the bath: add 4 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide to one and a half gallon of hot water.
Pre-washed feet are immersed in the bathtub, the container itself is covered with a towel to slow down the cooling rate of water. The duration of the procedure is determined by the condition of the feet: a slight roughness requires from 6 to 10 minutes. If the skin is badly damaged, the procedure will take up to 20 minutes. Repeat after a few hours.
- Aspirin.
Hot water is poured into the basin and crushed aspirin is added to it. Essential oils are added to the bath half a glass of vodka. The procedure lasts 20 minutes. after which the legs are treated with pumice and iodine (or vodka).
Vitamins in the fight against cracked heels
Vitamin A is responsible for good vision and redox balance. Forms bone tissue. Characteristic signs of vitamin A deficiency are:
- The formation of dandruff.
- Dry skin.
- Insomnia, increased fatigue, decreased performance.
If such signs are found, foods rich in vitamin A should be:
- Eggs (yolk).
- Fish oil, seafood.
- Vegetables.
- Fruits.
- Dairy products.
Vitamin E promotes the absorption of vitamin A, therefore, with a lack of vitamin E in the body, the following symptoms are observed:
- Muscle weakness.
- Fatigue.
- Visual impairment.
Replenish the deficiency of this vitamin with foods high in fat (corn, sunflower, cream and other oils) as well as eggs, seafood and cereals (buckwheat, oatmeal).
Vitamin F deficiency is expressed in hair loss, dry skin, exfoliating nails. Also a characteristic sign is the appearance of acne on the chest, back, face. Vitamin F is found in fats; therefore, sunflower oil is an indispensable and budgetary source of it.
The daily use of vegetable salads seasoned with oil and the use of cosmetics rich in vitamin F are good prevention of a lack of this vitamin.
Identifying and eliminating the cause of cracking on the heels is the first thing to do. Only then can you start treatment at home. It should also be borne in mind that self-medication is not worth it, if it comes to problems of ulcers or deep cracks, in this case the help of a specialist is needed.
