Why Use Oils If You Have Cracked Heels?
It is the time of the year again when the skin on your heels begin to dry off and even crack. That time in the year when you cannot confidently remove your sandals without getting embarrassed about how your heels look.
You always want to wear cover shoes, no matter how inconvenient they might be, just to hide your heels. As embarrassing as they can be, they can be painful as well and can expose you to several cases of infections. Thus, as much as you are battling the ugly looks of your heels, you are also trying to battle infections and pain at the same time.
Well, if you are caught in this web of cracked heels, you are not the only one, as it is a common condition and more severe in people with naturally dry skin. According to research, 1 in 15 people have experienced or are still experiencing dry and cracked heels.
Of course, the heels do an amazing job of supporting the body. That is, the whole body’s weight is placed on the heels. Due to the excess pressure placed on the heels, the heels will begin to crack. Some other factors that can expose your heels to getting cracked include;
- Prolonged hours of walking or standing
- Dehydration
- Naturally dry skin
- Overweight and obesity
- Skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis
- Accumulated dead cells in the heels
According to research, severe health conditions can also trigger cracked heels. Some of these health conditions include;
- Diabetes
- Gastritis
- Vitamin deficiency
Having known the possible cause of cracked heels, finding solutions to the problem is what is the most important. In cases of health conditions like diabetes, treating the cracked heels alone cannot solve the problem. Rather treating the health condition from the root while tending to the cracked heels is also important. On the flip side, cracked heels caused by lifestyle factors can be managed through natural methods and effective tips.
This article is packed with essential oils that are effective in helping you improve the condition of your skin. To apply these oils on the skin, it is important to first dilute the oil with other carrier oils, after diluting it, then do the following;
- Soak your feet in warm water for a few minutes
- When the dead cells on your heels become soft, scrub them off gently
- Rinse your feet and dry them with a clean towel
- Massage the diluted oil into your heels
- Wear socks immediately after massaging your heels
If, after following these tips, your heels continue to crack, then you should consult your doctor.
Essential Oils That Improve Cracked Heels
Essential oils are effective in improving cracked heels because they are packed with different properties like;
- Anti-inflammatory properties that help eliminate the irritation and inflammation of the skin on your heels.
- They also have analgesic properties that help relieve pains associated with cracked heels.
- Essential oils are also rich with antiseptic compounds that prevent infections from gaining access into your body through the cracked skin.
- Due to their moisture content, they moisturize the skin on the heels and exfoliate the dead skin.
The following are essential oils that treat cracked heels perfectly.
Eucalyptus Oil
One of the most active compounds in eucalyptus oil is its antiseptic compound. This compound ensures that whenever eucalyptus oil is applied to cracked heels, it blocks out every form of bacterial or fungal infection from entering the body through the cracks.
In addition, due to its high moisture content, eucalyptus oil helps dampen and moisturize the heels’ skin, thus preventing the skin from drying out. It can also be used to disinfect the whole feet, your socks, and shoes such that there will be no to for infection.
Coupled with all of these, applying eucalyptus oil to cracked skin can help speed up the healing process of the crack. To make the most out of the oil for your cracked heels, all you need to do is follow the application tips of this oil as stated above.
Lemon Oil
Lemon oil is mostly gotten from the peels of the fruit. This oil is not common because people do not know much about its benefits. Lemon oil, just like other essential oils, has proven to be effective in speeding up the healing process of wounds, and this makes it automatically effective at remedying cracked heels.
It is one of the most effective oils for eliminating toxins from the cracks, increasing circulation of blood to the affected area of the heels, and keeping the skin dry and healthy all day long.
Although this oil may sting when you apply it on your cracked heels, it will just be for a while. After a few minutes of sting, you’ll begin to notice improvements in the condition of your heels. Apply the oil to your cracked heels at least 2 times a day.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Just like lemon oil, peppermint essential oil will sting upon application but will soothe your heels and give your heels a cool sensation after the sting. This is a result of its menthol content. Coupled with this, peppermint oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, a compound that is popular for its skin-nourishing benefits.
Applying peppermint essential oil to your cracked heels will give you 2 things. One, it will stop the progress of the crack and start up the healing process of the wound immediately. Two, it will, through its omega 3 fatty acids content, nourish the skin on your heels, making them soft, supple, and healthy-looking.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil for cracked heels is best used alongside olive oil. In other words, olive oil is the best oil to mix your tea tree oil with to treat your cracked heels. The combination of both will give your cracked heels an effective antimicrobial cleansing.
In addition, a combination of both oils can help reduce the pain associated with cracked heels. It begins by reducing the redness, inflammation, and swelling that may result from the cracked heels.
The olive oil alone is packed with vitamins that can nourish your skin and heal the cracks faster while moisturizing the skin of your heels in the process.
The oil is also a good source of antioxidants that eliminates dead cells from the skin while preventing more cells from dying.
Chamomile Essential Oil
Dermatologists recommend chamomile oil for those who have naturally dry skin. This is because it is an effective remedy for dry skin. Studies carried out on women who used chamomile essential oil for their cracked heels experienced an improvement faster than most of the over-the-counter medicated creams that they have used in the past.
It is one of the few oils that heal cracked heels quickly. Its moisturizing ability is also top-notch, and this makes it ideal for cracked heels. In addition to these, chamomile essential oil has an applaudable amount of anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that soothe the skin and protect the cracks from infections until they heal up.
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil, apart from emitting a nice fragrance, is also an effective skincare oil. Although, the need to dilute it with carrier oils before applying it to the skin cannot be over-emphasized. It helps moisturize the skin and get rid of dead cells. Its antioxidant properties also prevent more cell deaths, thus, keeping the skin healthy.
Coupled with these, inhaling lavender oil can help you relax and even sleep better. It is no longer news that the pain and inflammation from cracked heels can leave you stressed. But applying the oil to your cracked heel will help reduce the pain and inflammation, while inhaling the oil through diffusers or towels will also help you relax and sleep better, thereby helping you overcome the stress.
Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary essential oil is popular for treating different skin conditions. It is one of the most recommended oils for dry skin. In cases of cracked heels, applying diluted rosemary oil to the affected area of the skin can improve the condition of your skin.
Also, adding a few drops of rosemary essential oil in warm water and soaking your feet in it can protect cracked heels from getting infected and can heal up the crack fast.
Conclusion
Essential oils are effective remedies for cracked heels. Rather than resorting to chemical-based creams, try out natural essential oils for treating cracked heels.
