Painful cracks on the heels

I know this is probably bizarre but everyone here are sooo smart (esp. SE!), so here goes...I go barefoot often and although I have tried everything from pumice stones to creams to lotions to Neosporin I get cracks on my heels and they really hurt. Sometimes they bleed and walking really is difficult. Even if I covewr my feet and wear socks they always return. Any ideas? I would appreciate anything that would help. Thank you everyone!
updated by @panterra-caraway: 02/15/15 05:48:40AM

im moving this to hair scalp and skin help im guessing island momma would know the most buti think a foot soak with epsin salts comfry and candula?thats like just off the top of my head and i dunno why i even think that so u might want to look into it before trying itthe candula im sure would be good thoholdon let me see what i can findNatural cures to care for your feet and heelsFeet care is not a disorder one can be clueless about. This is also one of the reasons why people almost always neglect it. Primarily, feet care begins with some care. Home remedies have some of the best cost effective and result oriented solutions one can try and experiment with. But it is important to note that when home remedies do not cure cracked heels it is wise to take an appointment with your general physician.Here is a compilation of the best known remedies to treat cracked heels:-Apply any shortening or hydrogenated vegetable oil after washing the feet clean on dry and cracked areas of the feet. After applying a thick coat of shortening on the feet, wear a pair of thick socks. Leaving this application overnight can surely provide positive results in few days.-Apply the pulp of a ripe banana on the dry or cracked area of the heel. Leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse it clean.-Soak the feet in lemon juice for about 10minutes. Follow this therapy on a weekly basis until one finds a change.-A daily regime of cleaning and moisturizing is a good cure for dry or cracked heels. At the end of the day soak the feet in warm soapy water for about 15 minutes. Rinse feet and pat dry. Make a healing mixture comprising of: one teaspoon Vaseline and the juice of one lemon. Rub this mixture onto the cracked heels and other required areas of the feet till it is thoroughly absorbed. This can be done daily until visible results are obtained.-A regular application of a mixture of glycerin and rosewater is known to soothe and cure cracked heels.-Another result oriented solution is to melt paraffin wax and mix it well with little mustard oil. Apply on the dry or cracked area of the heels. Rinse it off in the morning. A continuous application for 10 to15 days can achieve desirable results.Diet for Cracked HeelsCracked Heels : Home Remedies suggested by usersConsume a diet rich in calcium, iron, zinc and omega-3 fatsCracked heels are caused by deficiency of vitamins, minerals, zinc and omega 3 fatty acids. Therefore it is essential to have a diet rich in vitamins, minerals and zinc. Omega-3 fatty acids are not naturally produced by the body, therefore it has to be ingested from food or supplements.Here is list of essential foods that one can include in a regular meal and help curb deficiencies that may cause cracked heels:-Vitamins (Vitamin E) rich foods include: vegetable oils, green vegetables, cereals, wheat germ, whole-grain products and nuts.-Minerals (Calcium and Iron) rich foods include :1) Calcium: milk, cheese, yogurt, goats milk, fortified soya milk, mineral water, ice cream, tinned fish, juices, cereals and broccoli are excellent sources of calcium. Dairy products such as milk and yogurt are also considered as one of the best sources of calcium.2) Iron: Meat, chicken and fish are good sources of iron. Iron is also available in cereals, eggs, vegetables and beans; however it is not as easily absorbed into the body as the iron from meat, chicken and fish.3) Zinc rich foods include: Oysters, chicken, crab, kidney beans, yogurt, brown rice, spaghetti.4) Omega-3 fatty acids are largely found in: Purslane herb, cold water fish, and flaxseed oil or flax seeds.Other Suggestions for Cracked HeelsSimple suggestions to care for your cracked feetHere are some simple suggestions towards caring for the feet effortlessly:-Keep feet clean and dirt free-Exercise the feet regularly-Alternate hot and cold water for a feet bath to soothe the feet-Moisturize and exfoliate the feet whenever possible-Avoid walking bare feet as much as possible


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My new book Ban The Taboo Vol 1

Thank you for the wealth of info SE! I really appreciate it. I will give some of this a try, most of these tips I have not heard...including when I asked my doctor

i just googled cracked heels home remedies and found thosedrs know medicine and will push the latest pills regardless of side effects or effectivenesssometimes u gotta look to whats been tried for centeries by people who try avoiding drs


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My new book Ban The Taboo Vol 1

I work for a podiatrist and i just asked her this question yesterday.I dont know about this one... not sure what it is so look at the ingred. 1st...Amlactin you can get it at costcoandvaseline on your feet cover with socks to bed once a week...Epsom salt is to dry out infected areas so unless they are infected and pussy no epsom salt.

That is why I am sooo frustrated! I get pedicures all the time. The lady I go to is Asian and uses reflexology to help me relax and eucalyptus oil and very rich rich creams for my legs and feet. Even she looks at the heels and clucks her tongue and says..."very bad heels!" If she isn't careful then using the pumice stone makes me bleed and it all seems to be a vicious cycle.

I have a backpacking book from the 70s that says washing your feet with alcohol will toughen them. Probably wanna do it after the cracks heal though (ouch!). Thought that would be useful knowing you like to go barefoot.

Thanx Melanie...I will try this. I have heard of yeast overgrowth problems causing stomach issues (which I also have). Hmmmm... maybe I will find out something that I really needed to be aware of! And to Rapture, thank you also...but I think you are right, if I try alcohol it will definitely be after the cracks heal abit : )

Thanks for thinking of me SE. I'm a chubby mommy so I have heel problems too, sometimes the cracks get to deep and then it feels like theres glass in my foot.What I do is before bed I put on shea butter or olive oil and pop on a pair of socks, by morning they feel WAY better, sometimes one night is all it takes but if I need to I'll do that sometimes 3 nights in a row depending on how bad they are.Also get a good wooden foot paddle, the kind with the fine grit sand paper on it and give your heels a rub in the shower.Doing that regularly will give you soft heels.I should really do that regularly too but I get lazy and wait till I have bad cracks.

Island Mamma, I am a chubby mommy too! Lol And I too can get lazy with the feet, not to mention that at my age I get hot alot...so sox bug me! Lol I so appreciate all the info everyone has given and I am really glad you replied since SE thought you would know straight off!I am trying some baking soda as Sister Rags suggested, some banana peels as SE suggested and I have some Shea butter which I can throw into the mix. I will also look for a foot paddle (it couldn't hurt!). I will beat these dreaded cracks yet!!! Much love to you.