How to treat and heal dry, cracked feet

Dry, cracked skin can be painful. When cracks are present, open-toed shoes and slingbacks are pushed to the back shelf. The feet take the weight of our bodies throughout the day, and the added pressure can cause further splitting of the skin. Healing cracks in feet takes time and patience, but it can be done.

If at all possible, the best thing you can do is prevent the skin on your feet from splitting in the first place. Daily care is required to maintain good skin integrity. Be sure to regularly exfoliate your feet, buffing away calluses. A foot or body scrub with sugar, salt or other granules can offer soothing exfoliation while moisturizing with oils. If you have conditions like corns, warts or bunions, see a podiatrist. Moisturize your feet daily - it's easy to do this at night and apply white cotton footies or socks to hold in the moisture overnight.

• Some people prefer foot soaks. You can use Epsom salts for healing. Keep in mind that salt water can burn some deep splits in skin, but salt does have amazing healing properties.
• Paraffin baths can be very soothing and healing. However, you cannot use paraffin if you have splits in your skin. This would be something to begin doing after the cracks have healed. Exposing the delicate tissues of your inner feet to the heat and wax of paraffin treatments would not be beneficial - it's meant for the outer skin only.
• Find a healing salve to use on your feet nightly. Skin does not heal easily when it is dry. Try Neosporin, Bag Balm, or Aquaphor Healing Ointment. After the cracks have healed, you can switch to a great lotion if you choose.
  • Wear lightweight, white cotton socks or footies with your salve or lotion. Colored socks can allow for dyes to enter your wounds.
• Wear sensible footwear. If your feet have taken a beating, and your shoes rub, squeeze or create pressure in areas that have cracked, you need to wear something different to allow your skin to heal. Pressure directly added to cracked skin will not allow for healing.
• If you are unable to manage your feet or have difficulty reaching them, get a pedicure regularly. The soak, exfoliation and massage can help with treatment and prevention of dry, cracked skin.
• If cracked, non-healing skin persists, see a physician or podiatrist.