How do you treat severely cracked heels
Ava White
Updated on April 22, 2026
Rest your feet in soapy water for 20 minutes.Gently scrub with a loofah or pumice stone to remove the thick, hard skin on your heels.Dry your feet thoroughly.Apply a heavy moisturizer, such as petroleum jelly, to your dry feet.
How do you heal deep cracked heels?
- Using an emollient or humectant moisturizer. …
- Applying an occlusive moisturizer over the top. …
- Wearing 100 percent cotton socks to bed. …
- Applying a keratolytic to thickened skin. …
- Gently rubbing thickened skin with a pumice stone. …
- Using a liquid bandage. …
- Medical treatments.
Should you file cracked heels?
File the skin on your heels at least once a week with a pumice stone. This helps remove the dry, flaky skin on your heels. Filing your heels also helps to remove the thick layers of calluses and dry skin so that the moisturizer can better absorb and hydrate your skin.
Why do my heels crack so bad?
The most common causes of dry, cracked heels includes the following: medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes, eczema, hypothyroidism, Sjögren’s syndrome, juvenile plantar dermatosis, infections such as athlete’s foot, biomechanical factors such as flat feet, heel spurs, or standing for long periods of time, …How do you treat deep cracked heels on the NHS?
- File the hard skin once or twice weekly with a foot file when the skin is dry. …
- Cream your feet daily after a bath or shower with a thick moisturising hand or foot cream.
- Consider wearing socks or stockings or closed in shoes even in hot weather if you find the dry skin is worse or the skin cracks.
Does Vicks help with cracked heels?
Healing rough skin on your heels The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends petroleum jelly as a moisturizer, especially when used on damp skin, because it keeps moisture from evaporating. That may explain why some people have found Vicks VapoRub helpful for healing rough skin on the feet and heels.
Which cream is best for foot cracks?
Foot creamsFeaturesThe Body Shop Peppermint Intensive Foot Rescue CreamWith peppermintHimalaya FootCare CreamWith fenugreek seedsFabindia Avocado Foot CreamWith avocadoAroma Magic Foot CreamWith aloe vera gel
Is Vaseline good for cracked heels?
Use an Overnight Treatment – Vaseline® Jelly can be used as an effective overnight cosmetic treatment for dry, cracked feet and heels as it helps create a sealing barrier, locking in the essential moisture your feet need to repair themselves .How does vinegar help cracked heels?
Mixing white vinegar with curd creates a solution that removes dead skin while filling in the cracks. White vinegar can also be mixed to warm water and sheer or cocoa butter to create a mixture that can be rubbed onto the heels.
Is sudocrem good for cracked heels?“Try filling the crack with antiseptic cream – like Savlon or Sudocrem – then covering the area with either a gauze and tape or a plaster,” says Andrew. “Re-apply the plaster and cream daily for a few days until it stops hurting.
Article first time published onWhat foot cream do podiatrists recommend?
- CeraVe Renewing SA Foot Cream. …
- AmLactin Foot Repair. …
- Kerasal Intensive Foot Repair. …
- Profoot Heel Rescue. …
- Ahava Dead Sea Mud Intensive Foot Cream.
How do you tell if cracked heel is infected?
- Pain and discomfort, especially while standing.
- Itchiness in the area.
- Bleeding from the cracks.
- Flaky skin.
- Warmth, redness & swelling may be present if there is an infection.
How long do heel fissures take to heal?
Superficial heel cracks can heal as fast as a week with removal of the dead skin and topical creams. If thicker skin or deeper cracks are involved, they can take two to four weeks to heal, even with proper medication and care.
Is E45 good for cracked heels?
Dry, cracked skin Dry cracked skin needs moisturising daily. A moisturising cream such as E45 or a heel balm containing 25% urea e.g Flexitol should be applied 1-2 times daily. Gently rub a pumice stone or file on hard skin then apply the cream. Avoid putting cream between your toes.
Does heel balm work?
With a thick, smooth formulation, over 80% of our testers felt that their skin was more protected from dryness after applying the balm. Within two to three days, testers noticed improvements in the appearance of their dry, cracked heels, noting differences in hydration and softness in their skin too!
Is Vaseline good for feet?
Vaseline is a petroleum by-product and it certainly does have many properties that can be very helpful for your feet. It is slick and can be used to help keep body parts from rubbing and becoming irritated. It is a favorite of distance runners for its ability to prevent blisters.
Can you use hydrocortisone on cracked heels?
If your dry feet or cracked heels are not because of an infection, your doctor may suggest a prescription version of a hydrocortisone cream.
How does baking soda get rid of cracked heels?
Add 3 tbsps of baking soda in a bucket full of warm water. Mix well until the baking soda dissolves in the water. Soak your feet in the solution for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove your feet from the soak and scrub gently with pumice stone.
What is best to soak dry cracked feet in?
- Fill a basin two-thirds full with warm (not hot!) water. …
- Add one cup of Epsom salts to the water. …
- Mix in one tablespoon of baking soda (per quart of water). …
- For a pleasant, relaxing aroma, add essential oils or herbs. …
- Soak your feet for 20 minutes, or until the water starts to turn cold.
How do you get rid of extremely dry feet?
Avoid lotions that contain alcohol, which may dry out your feet more. Baby oil or petroleum jelly are usually safe. Soak your feet a few times a week and use a pumice stone or foot brush to gently exfoliate off dead skin. Avoid hot showers or baths, and rinse in warm water to prevent skin from drying.
Can you use liquid bandage on cracked heels?
Liquid bandage is a good option for treating deep heel cracks that may bleed. Apply liquid bandage to clean, dry skin. As the crack heals, the coating is forced to the skin’s surface. You can buy this product without a prescription at a drug store or online.
How can I soften my feet overnight?
Try petroleum jelly. It may take a while to soak in, but petroleum jelly is a good way to restore moisture to cracked heels. Try coating your feet in petroleum jelly at night before bed, slip on some comfy socks, and let it soak in overnight while you are asleep.
Can adults Sudocrem?
The uses of Sudocrem for babies and adults are much the same. It can be used to treat: Nappy rash. Eczema.
What is Bepanthen cream?
Bepanthen® Antiseptic Cream is a multi-purpose antiseptic cream that helps protect damaged skin from infection and also assists in the treatment of cuts, abrasions, insect bites, stings, and sunburn.
Can I use Sudocrem on my private area?
– Pat the genital area dry with a dry towel or allow to ‘air dry’. – Do not use powder, baby wipes, adult bath products or medicines on their genital area. A barrier cream such as Sudocrem can be used if the skin is sore. Do not apply any other types of creams unless advised by your GP.
Is Vaseline good for dry feet?
Use an Overnight Treatment – Vaseline® Jelly can be used as an effective overnight cosmetic treatment for dry, cracked feet and heels as it helps create a sealing barrier, locking in the essential moisture your feet need to repair themselves .
How can I harden the skin on my heels?
Pat rubbing alcohol on the soles of the feet and around the edges. Alcohol is a drying agent that helps to harden skin. Do this several times a week until calluses form.
Is Epaderm good for cracked heels?
If you feet are very dry, or you suffer with cracking at the heels, try a heel balm containing urea. Flexitol, Gewohl and CCS are good examples of this type of cream. If you find urea cream too harsh, you couls try a very thick moisturiser such as Epaderm or Hydromol.
How do you toughen up your feet?
Tannic Acid to Toughen: Marathoners and long-distance walkers may want to toughen the feet with 10% tannic acid or a tea soak. Apply the tannic acid to your feet, or soak in strong tea, twice daily for two to three weeks.