Taking care of callused heels is all about prevention and keeping up with regular maintenance. You might end up with callused heels for various reasons, like not having enough moisture or wearing certain types of shoes. Dry heel skin is one thing, but when it becomes severely callused, leading to peeling, flaking, or even cracking, it’s a different level of discomfort. But don’t worry, you don’t need to visit a doctor to deal with them. Many people face the same issue, and there are plenty of at-home remedies to help you manage callused heels.
To start addressing callused heels, you first need to figure out what’s causing them so you can stop it from happening again. Taking the right steps right away can help prevent calluses, as well as the cracking, bleeding, and pain that often come with them. Keep in mind that callused heels might also hint at other health problems, like thyroid or skin conditions, weight issues, vitamin deficiencies, or aging. If you’ve got persistent calluses or cracked heels, it’s a good idea to check if you’re at risk for other health conditions by talking to a doctor.
Several factors could lead to dry, cracked feet, with the key ones being:
Dry Skin: This is a major cause of callused heels because it happens when your skin doesn’t hold on to enough moisture. It can be triggered by warmer temperatures in the summer, extreme cold in the winter, the type of shoes you wear, or sensitive skin. Shoes like sandals and flip-flops are notorious for contributing to dry, callused heels.
Constant Standing: If you’re standing on hard surfaces or in heels for long periods, it could also cause callused heels. Over time, constant standing can harm the sweat glands in your feet, leading to dryness and calluses. The pressure on your foot’s natural fat pad may cause the skin to spread out, resulting in cracked heels and calluses.
Excessive Water Exposure: Water, especially hot water, can strip away the natural oils in your skin, making it dry and prone to calluses. Spending too long in the shower or soaking in water can dry out your feet’s skin. To prevent calluses, try cooler water for your baths or showers.
Treatment Steps:
Soak and Exfoliate: To tackle callused heels, you should first soften the skin. The skin on your heels can be thicker and drier, so soaking them and using moisturizer can help. Here’s what to do:
1. Soak your feet in warm, soapy water for at least 20 minutes.
2. Use a foot scrubber or pumice stone to gently scrub away the tough skin, but don’t remove the entire callus to avoid the risk of infection or bleeding.
3. Pat your feet dry while leaving a little moisture on the heels.
4. Apply a heel balm or a thick cream-based moisturizer.
5. Cover your heels with petroleum jelly to lock in the moisture.
6. Put on cotton socks immediately to keep your heels from drying out.
Do this routine every other day. On the days off, and afterward, remember:
– Moisturize your heels right after bathing, as they start losing moisture once they hit the bath mat. Keep cotton socks and thick moisturizer handy to lock in that moisture.
– Some soaps can be extremely drying. Try using mild, moisturizing soaps, especially during cold months.
Lemon Rose Water Scrub: Rosewater has properties that fight inflammation and bacteria, helping treat callused heels. Lemon juice, with its acidic nature, aids in healing dry heels, while glycerin helps to soften the skin by drawing in moisture.
Ingredients:
– 2 teaspoons rosewater
– 1/2 cup lemon juice
– 2 tablespoons glycerin
– 1 tablespoon salt
– Warm water
– Pumice stone/foot scrubber
– Plastic wrap
Soak your feet for 15-20 minutes in a mix of warm water, salt, lemon juice, glycerin, and rosewater. Use a pumice stone or foot scrubber to exfoliate your heels. Then combine glycerin, rosewater, and lemon juice in equal parts and apply the solution to your heels. Cover with plastic wrap and socks overnight and wash off in the morning. Repeat for several days until your heels improve.
Vaseline and Listerine Method: Vaseline creates a moisture barrier that helps soften callused heels. Use exfoliating gloves in the shower to scrub your heels, apply Vaseline afterward, and seal with plastic wrap overnight.
For a Listerine soak, mix equal parts of Listerine, vinegar, and water to submerge your feet for 15-20 minutes. After soaking, use a pumice stone to rub callused areas and follow up with a moisturizing routine.
While initial treatment may show quick improvements, fully healing callused heels could take a few days or weeks. Usually, they’re nothing to worry about, but make sure your shoes offer good support and cushioning. If your calluses are due to medical issues, consult a podiatrist for special care.
