Holistic Cracked Heels Treatment Methods: Find the Best Ones

Posted on June 21st, 2024

Dealing with cracked heels, those pesky fissures that can make every step uncomfortable, often requires more than just a little moisturiser.

These small cracks can become bigger issues if neglected.

Lifestyle habits, such as standing for long periods or wearing unsupportive shoes, can put extra stress on your feet.

Showering with hot water or using harsh soaps might be relaxing, but they rob your heels of essential oils.

Combine this with cold weather or dry environments, and it's no surprise those heels start to suffer.

The Causes of Cracked Heels

Cracked heels, medically referred to as heel fissures, are a common ailment that can be both unsightly and uncomfortable. Being informed about the underlying causes is part of an effective treatment.

Firstly, lifestyle factors play a role. Prolonged standing, especially on hard floors, can put excessive pressure on your heels, leading to cracks. Wearing open-back shoes or ill-fitting footwear exacerbates this, as your heels lack the support they need. Additionally, habits such as showering with very hot water or using harsh soaps can strip your skin of its natural oils, contributing to dry cracked heels.

Environmental influences, such as cold weather or extremely dry climates, suck moisture out of your skin, leaving your heels parched and prone to cracking. These elements combined can swiftly lead to the development of heel fissures.

In addition to lifestyle and environmental factors, several health conditions can make you more susceptible to cracked heels. Conditions like diabetes, eczema, and psoriasis can severely affect skin hydration and elasticity, making heel skin more prone to breaking and cracking. Hormonal changes that occur with ageing can also cause thinning of the skin, making it easier for cracks to form. Nutritional deficiencies, especially in vitamins like A, E, and C, and essential fatty acids, impair the skin’s natural ability to repair and regenerate.

Holistic foot care aims to address these root causes rather than just the symptoms. By focusing on your overall well-being, incorporating healthy dietary choices, maintaining proper hydration, using natural oils for moisturisation, and wearing appropriate footwear, you can significantly reduce the risk of developing dry cracked heels. A holistic approach can provide immediate relief and also encourages long-lasting foot health, offering a more well-rounded and natural solution compared to conventional treatments.

Natural Remedies for Cracked Heels

By incorporating natural remedies, you not only target the symptoms but also nurture your skin holistically.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is renowned for its exceptional moisturising properties. It penetrates deeply into the skin, promoting hydration and healing from within. To use, simply massage a generous amount of coconut oil onto your clean feet, focusing on the cracked areas. It’s best to do this before bedtime.

Shea Butter

Another beneficial ingredient is Shea butter. Rich in vitamins A and E, Shea butter not only hydrates the skin but also aids in its regeneration. After washing your feet with mild soap and warm water, pat them dry and apply a thick layer of Shea butter to your heels. Allow it to absorb for a few minutes before putting on your socks. 

Essential Oils

Adding essential oils to your routine can further enhance your cracked heels treatment. Oils such as lavender, tea tree, and peppermint boast antifungal and antibacterial properties, creating a healthier environment for your feet. For an effective home remedy, combine a few drops of these essential oils with a carrier oil, like olive oil or almond oil. Massage the mixture onto your heels daily. 

Healing Foot Soak

For a more intensive treatment, create a healing foot soak. Fill a basin with warm water and add half a cup of Epsom salt and a few drops of your favourite essential oils. Soak your feet for 15-20 minutes, then gently scrub with a pumice stone to remove dead skin. Pat your feet dry and liberally apply coconut oil or Shea butter, ensuring to cover the cracks thoroughly. This method addresses both the exfoliation and moisture needs of your feet simultaneously.

With these natural remedies, you’re equipped with the best methods for cracked heels, promoting healthier, well-moisturized skin with lasting results. Consistency is key, and over time, these practices will help restore the natural integrity of your skin.

Diet and Nutrition: The Inside-Out Approach

Diet and nutrition are pivotal in holistic foot care, specifically when addressing dry cracked heels. What you eat profoundly impacts skin health and integrity from the inside out. Vitamins and nutrients support the skin’s natural repair processes, ensuring it stays hydrated and resilient.

Vitamins A, C, and E

Vitamins such as A, C, and E play significant roles. Vitamin A fosters the repair and maintenance of skin tissues, while vitamin C is vital for collagen synthesis, which maintains skin elasticity. Vitamin E acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting skin cells from free radical damage. Integrating these vitamins into your diet can start with simple dietary changes. Incorporate carrots, which are rich in beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, as well as citrus fruits and strawberries, which are excellent sources of vitamin C. Nuts and seeds, like almonds and sunflower seeds, will boost your intake of vitamin E.

Essential Fatty Acids

Beyond vitamins, ensure you are getting essential fatty acids, such as omega-3s, which play a role in maintaining the lipid barrier of the skin, preventing moisture loss. Foods like flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, and oily fish such as salmon are excellent sources of these essential fats.

Hydration

Hydration is the most important thing for our body's overall health. Simply put, well-hydrated skin is far less prone to cracking. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. This helps maintain skin elasticity and supports overall cellular function. In addition to water intake, consuming hydrating foods can offer dual benefits of nutrition and hydration. Cucumbers, watermelon, and celery are high in water content and provide additional vitamins and minerals.

Supplements and Probiotics

Sometimes, dietary measures alone might not suffice, and supplements can be an excellent adjunct to your regimen. Consider incorporating a high-quality multivitamin tailored to skin health, as well as omega-3 fish oil supplements if dietary intake is insufficient. It’s advisable to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any supplement regime. Moreover, probiotics can foster gut health, which has been linked to overall skin wellness. Yogurt, kefir, and other fermented foods can deliver beneficial bacteria to your digestive system, promoting a healthy skin microbiome. The gut-skin axis is an emerging field of study, suggesting that a healthy gut can lead to healthier, more supple skin.

Timing of Meals and Water Intake

Lastly, while focusing on diet and hydration, consider the timing of your meals and water intake. Eating a balanced diet spaced throughout the day and staying consistently hydrated supports steady nutrient supply and hydration to your skin. Remember, a holistic cracked heels treatment isn’t achieved overnight; it’s a continual process that incorporates both external and internal care, fostering enduring skin health and resilience.

Proper Footwear and Its Role in Preventing Cracked Heels

Proper footwear plays a role in preventing and treating cracked heels. Ill-fitting footwear can lead to various foot problems, including heel fissures. Shoes that do not offer adequate support, particularly in the heel area, can exacerbate pressure and cause skin to crack.

Choosing the Right Shoes

Opt for shoes that have a cushioned sole, which helps distribute pressure more evenly across your feet, alleviating stress on your heels. It's also important to ensure that your shoes fit well and offer the right amount of arch support. Shoes that are too tight or too loose can create friction, leading to blisters and cracks. Always consider your specific foot structure when selecting footwear; if you have flat feet or high arches, look for shoes designed to accommodate these conditions. Orthotic inserts can be incredibly beneficial in this regard. They offer additional support tailored to your feet, helping to correct any biomechanical issues that might contribute to cracked heels. Custom orthotics can be a wise investment, as they provide personalised support.

Maintaining Your Footwear

Maintaining your footwear is another aspect of holistic foot care. Regularly inspect your shoes for signs of wear and tear. Worn-out soles or insoles can compromise the support and comfort your shoes offer, making your feet more vulnerable to cracking. Rotate your shoes to give them a chance to air out and recover their shape, which also helps prevent odour build-up and prolongs their lifespan. If possible, avoid wearing the same pair of shoes two days in a row. For cleaning, use gentle methods to preserve the material and structure of your shoes. For leather shoes, a quality conditioner can keep the material supple and prevent it from causing friction against your heels.

Seasonal Footwear Choices

In warmer weather, opt for breathable materials that allow moisture to evaporate, keeping your feet dry and reducing the risk of fungal infections, which can further irritate cracked heels. During colder months, ensure your shoes provide sufficient insulation to protect against the drying effects of cold air. By taking these steps, you create an environment that supports foot health and prevents the development of heel fissures. 

When to See a Specialist: Professional Medical Treatments

While holistic methods are excellent for maintaining foot health and treating mild cases of cracked heels, there are instances where you need to seek professional help.

It's crucial to understand that severe cracked heels, particularly those that are deeply fissured, highly painful, or showing signs of infection, require medical treatments for cracked heels. When your home remedies and over-the-counter solutions do not provide relief, it's time to consult a foot health specialist. Ignoring conditions like bleeding, swelling, or redness around the cracks can lead to severe complications, making medical intervention necessary. Conditions such as diabetes further complicate the situation, as poor circulation and nerve damage can amplify the problem, potentially leading to more serious foot issues.

Professional Medical Treatments

Professional medical treatments for cracked heels include a range of interventions tailored to your specific condition. Prescription creams are often more potent and effective than those available over-the-counter, containing ingredients like urea, salicylic acid, or lactic acid to deeply moisturise and exfoliate the skin. Debridement is another common procedure, where a specialist carefully removes thickened and dead skin using sterile instruments. This not only alleviates pressure on the skin but also prevents future cracks from forming. In some cases, specialised bandages or silicone heel cups may be used to provide additional cushioning and support, promoting faster healing.

About Foot Focus Pembrokeshire

At Foot Focus Pembrokeshire, we specialise in foot health care.

Our services include treatments for cracked heels, ingrown toenails, fungal infections, and more. We combine holistic methods with professional medical treatments to ensure your feet are healthy and comfortable. Our team of foot health specialists is dedicated to providing personalised care tailored to your unique needs.

If you need advice on proper footwear or a specific treatment for foot conditions, we are here to help. Our goal is to promote long-term foot health and well-being through a combination of traditional and modern practices.

Conclusion

Addressing cracked heels requires a detailed approach that includes knowing about the underlying causes, incorporating natural remedies, maintaining proper diet and hydration, choosing the right footwear, and knowing when to seek professional help.

At Foot Focus Pembrokeshire, we are dedicated to helping you achieve smoother, pain-free feet through our expert care and holistic treatments. 

Step into smoother, pain-free feet; contact Foot Focus Pembrokeshire today to schedule your cracked heels treatment and experience the difference.

You can also reach us via email at [email protected] or call 07891 482357 to speak directly with our team.