Home Remedies for Rough, Dry & Calloused Feet

What Causes Cracked Heels and Feet?

Cracked heels are the result of the skin losing enough moisture to dry out and crack. 

Excessively dry feet often result from:

• Cold weather
• Not drinking enough water
• Diabetes
• Using harsh soaps on your feet
• Staying in hot water to often or too long (hot bath or shower)

Items Needed

• Large Bowl
• Baking Soda
• Warm Water
• Pumice Stone

Homemade Foot Scrub

• 1/2 Cup Baby Oil
• 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
• 1/4 Cup Sugar

How to Remove Calluses

The trick to removing calluses from your feet is a good soak to get them softened up and then a good scrubbing with a pumice stone.

Combine 2 tbsp of baking soda with 5 cups of warm water in a bowl large enough to fit both of your feet in. If you don't have a big enough bowl, you can fill the bathtub up to about 4 or 5 inches deep and add about a cup of baking soda. Soak your feet in the solution for around 15 minutes.

Gently rub your heels and any other rough areas of your feet with a pumice stone. This will help remove some of the dead skin.

Items Needed

• Large Bowl or tub
• Warm Water
• Lemon Juice or Distilled White Vinegar

Homemade Foot Soak

Find something in your house that has acidic properties. The easiest options are distilled white vinegar or lemon juice. The acid in these will help to get rid of the dead skin on your feet.

Mix about a cup of your acidic ingredient per 2 gallons of warm water. This doesn't have to be a perfect measurement. Soak your feet for about 45 minutes.

Items Needed

• Baby Oil or Creamy Lotion
• Socks

Homemade Foot Moisturizer

Removing calluses and soaking your feet can be done weekly or monthly. But, if you really want to improve the condition of your feet, you should moisturize daily. The best choices are a thick, creamy lotion or just simple baby oil.

Every time you take a shower, take a few minutes and apply your chosen moisturizer to the top, bottom and sides of your feet. Once it has soaked in, put socks on to trap the moisture. This will make sure that the most outer layer of your skin is saturated and it helps form a barrier between your feet and the world. It acts to keep the moisture of your body in. Another option is to do this every night before you go to bed so it has all night to soak in.

General Soft Feet Tips

• Don't walk around barefoot, your body will naturally create calluses as a defense mechanism to the hard, rough ground you are walking on.

• Try using a homemade foot scrub. You can easily make one with 1/4 cup of petroleum jelly and 2 cups of Epsom salt. Just rub it on the rough spots, rinse off and pat dry. This can be done if you don't have the time to really soak your feet.

• Don't take long, hot showers or baths during the cold winter months, it actually can draw the moisture out of your feet.

• Don't overdo it when you use a pumice stone or file. It can further damage your feet.

• Wear soft cushion-y slippers if your going outside for a quick chore or errand instead of flip flops.

Source:Bellatory

RIVERA FOOT & ANKLE: At Orlando H.Rivera DPM, our priority is to deliver quality care to informed patients in a comfortable and convenient setting. When you have problems with your feet, you need to turn to a podiatrist who listens and responds… an experienced doctor who knows the field and can effectively diagnose and treat your needs… a friendly physician who counsels you on the best ways to maintain and improve your health. Our physician(s) meet all these criteria. Plus, you benefit from a dedicated team of trained professionals who give you the individualized attention you deserve.

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