Conditions such as diabetes, thyroid problems, athlete's foot or psoriasis can lead to heel fissures; the painful cracks can also result from prolonged standing on hard floors, obesity, open-back sandals or shoes, ill-fitting shoes or vitamin deficiencies. You can make remedies using ordinary, inexpensive household items. Heel cracks can become infected; if your heel cracks are deep or inflamed, visit your doctor.
Soaking and Petroleum Jelly
Soak your feet nightly in lukewarm water for 15 minutes to moisturize, then pat dry. According to podiatrist William Van Pelt on the Mother Nature website, "The best way to treat dry skin is to hydrate it every night." Rub in 1 tsp. petroleum jelly to seal in moisture.
Almond Oil
Almond oil is rich in skin-soothing vitamin E. A Japanese study published in the October 2002 Inflammation Research journal showed that a topical ointment containing vitamin E suppressed allergic and contact dermatitis in rats and mice with a comparable effect to that of prednisone ointment, though more research is needed in this area.
Aloe Vera
Applying aloe vera gel to cracked heels after soaking for 15 minutes in lukewarm water may help. According to a 1995 study conducted at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, researchers found that wounds in rats treated with aloe vera gel healed faster than those of the control group, though more research is needed.
Honey and Olive Oil
Mix 1 tsp. honey and 1/2 tsp. olive oil. Apply after soaking heels, leave on 20 minutes, then rinse. Honey has antibacterial properties that may help prevent secondary infections. A study conducted at the University of Karachi in Pakistan and published in the January 1995 issue of Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences showed that honey has broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.
Acrylic Adhesive
Applying an acrylic adhesive to the cracks can help seal them up, lessen the pain and promote healing. According to dermatologist Rodney Basler, assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Nebraska, this technique is safe to use on minor cracks and cuts; avoid using on deep wounds.
Dry Skin Diet
Eating a diet that contains the proper vitamins and minerals to promote healthy skin may also help. Milk, cheese, and broccoli are a good source of calcium, while meat, chicken, fish and beans provide iron. Kidney beans, yogurt and brown rice are rich in zinc, and cold water fish and flaxseed oils contain skin-nourishing omega-3 fatty acids.
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