Cracked heels: from potatoes to other natural remedies, find out how to treat this potentially painful condition
Creams for the body, for the face, for the hands: these are all products that we use regularly, but we don't always take the same care of the skin of our feet. We tend to remember our feet only when corns and calluses form. There is also another phenomenon that can cause us foot issues: that of cracked heels.
This condition occurs when the skin of the foot, often covered by a callous layer, splits into fissures, caused by the continuous pressure and friction associated with walking and/or running. If cracked heels aren't treated promptly, those fissures can become much deeper and more painful, compromising our ability to walk and forcing us to seek professional aid.
Cracked heels: what can we do?
If the fissures are still superficial, you can resort to various DIY remedies. First, you should exfoliate the area gently, and you can do this using natural products like oatmeal or rice flour. In this way, you can clean the foot of all the dead skin, and be able to see the "damage" clearly. Alternatively, you can use:
- Coconut oil: this should simply be massaged into the foot and left on overnight, perhaps wearing light socks. In addition to being moisturizing, coconut oil has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, which is why you could also add it to water for a periodic foot bath.
- Olive oil: this too is massaged into the feet before going to sleep, and a few drops at a time are enough. Do this for a few days, leaving it to act until the following morning.
- Shea butter: use the same method, only it will take several days to show results. However, shea butter is a high-quality emollient, and will also be good for your hands.
Cracked heels: the potato-based remedy
In addition to the methods mentioned above, there is a very popular one based on raw potatoes. Here are the ways to use potatoes:
- Raw slices: cut the potatoes very thin, after having washed and peeled them. The slices need to be very thin. Place these on your feet, covering the heel and sole, and keep them in place with a light sock. Wear this potato compress throughout the night.
- Potato water: finely grate a raw potato and transfer the pulp to a cheesecloth. Squeeze the pulp out well, collecting all the juice. Add the juice of a lemon to the potato liquid along with a teaspoon of salt and a little toothpaste. Create a light paste and apply this to the heels. Cover with a sock and let the paste act overnight.
There is no scientific evidence to support this method, but plenty of anecdotal recommendations can be found: would you try this?
