Dry, cracked skin on the feet can be unsightly and even painful. Affected areas are usually between the toes, on the bottom of the feet and most commonly the heels, where the cracked skin is also called fissures. Causes of dry, cracked feet might be dry skin (also known as xerosis), excessive foot pressure from frequent standing, ill-fitting shoes, obesity and old age. Most cases of dry, cracked feet can be cured economically and unequivocally at home.
Lemon Foot Soak
Since washing with regular soap might be drying your skin and contributing to dry, cracked feet, try a lemon juice foot soak to loosen the tight dead skin. Lemons are a natural astringent and rich in vitamin C. Add one half cup of lemon juice to a bucket or foot bath of warm water; the basin should comfortably hold your feet. Soak for 10 minutes.
Pumice Stone
Rubbing your feet with a pumice stone is a simple way to eliminate dead skin and smooth away cracks. Pumice stones work like sandpaper, removing layers of rough skin. A pumice stone will be equally effective on dry or wet feet. Rub the pumice stone over the rough areas of your feet with a gentle back-and-forth motion. Give each foot around five minutes of pumice stone treatment a day.
Banana Pulp Treatment
Banana pulp will penetrate deep into dry, cracked skin to create soft and supple feet. Mash the pulp of two ripe bananas. Apply the banana pulp on clean, dry feet. Leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse the feet clean.
Virgin Coconut Oil Treatment
Virgin coconut oil can be used as a deep moisturizer on the feet. Coconut oil contains medium chain fatty acids, including lauric acid, which simultaneously heal skin and kill fungus. This would be an ideal treatment for a case of athlete's foot combined with dry, cracked skin. Lather virgin coconut oil onto clean, dry feet sparingly. Cover the feet with socks and let the oil penetrate overnight. Wash it off thoroughly in the morning.
Rose Water and Glycerine
A combination of glycerine and rose water will moisturize and soften feet. Rose water is a by-product of rose syrup, which could be alternatively used in the treatment in equal amounts. Glycerol is a chemical compound and may go by the names glycerin or glycerine. Wash the feet with warm water. Apply 3 tbsp. of glycerine mixed with 1 tbsp. of rose water on the dry areas of your feet. This mixture does not need to be washed off.
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