Cracked Heels Causes, Best Creams and Treatments

(From here you can get Back every topic of this article)

Causes  | Risk Factors   |  Natural Protection   (  Aloe vera treatment | Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) | Baking Soda | Banana And Avocado Foot Mask | Coconut Oil | Epsom Salt | Honey | Lemon, Salt, Glycerine, And Rosewater Foot Mask | Olive Oil | Pumice Stone | Tea Tree Oil
Vegetable Oil | Vaseline and Lemon Juice | Shea Butter ) | Treatment | Cracked Heels Remedy At Home | Best creams| Q&A |

Are you suffering from pain, itching problem in your heels? Sometimes you are feeling discomfort and embarrassment due to your Cracked Heels.

Then, it’s time to kill your discomfort by knowing their symptoms, causes, and protection from cracked heels.

When the sensitive skin on the bottom of the feet and heels become too dry it gives pain and causes heel fissures(cracked heels). In this dry skin accompanied by thickened skin and sometimes it gives yellow or brown calluses around the heel edge.

One major problem with cracked heels is their appearance and probability of getting an infection in the skin.
According to the National Foot Health Assessment 2012, 20% of adults in the United States suffering or faced the problem of their feet. 50% Women reported the condition than men, it doesn’t mean women are suffering a lot, occurs in both genders.

Deeper crack heels can be hurting and painful on walking or person stands up, sometimes it may cause bleeding.

In general, people consult to doctor when the pain is not tolerated by him/her. Why you are not doing a good response to your health? If you can’t no one can else help you. After reading this article you may able to know all about cracked heels.

Causes: Heel’s crack

Cracked heels are occurring due to hormonal changes and dry feet. Age doesn’t matter, it occurs in any age group due to unclean or careless look after of feet. Sometimes painful cracked feet happen in illness, conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

 

Causes of cracked heels/ cracked heels causes
Long hour standing (increases blood circulation).	shodden standing or flip-flop shoes (due to open from heel side leads dirty feet).	Low humidity or temperature leads to dry skin and causes deep cracks in heels.
Longtime hot wear socks.	Shoes with inappropriate size.	Using Harsh soaps(remove moisture from skin).
Using water for a long time.	Rubbing / Itching.	Walk on a rough surface without wearing any shoes(nude feet).
Cracked heels causes are generally occurred due to cleaning, so try to clean your legs before going to sleep.

Due to the cold climate or due to unclean feet causes crack heels.
According to science
– Dust closes the pores of feet skin, due to that skin also cracked.
– The sensitive skin of feet dry due to atmosphere and
Winter weather leaving painful cracks called fissures
– High blood sugar and poor circulation resulting from diabetes causes dry skin and leads feet cracks.

• Dehydration

Lack of aqua(water) causes dehydration in the body and it causes dry skin, leads to Heel’s crack.

• Dust and dirty feet

Dirty feet leads to crack feet due to layer formation.

Understand this:
If your leg is not clean the moisturizer which is present in feet of leg stuck with dust. Day by day layers formation leads to crack feet.

• Hot bath and showers

Longtime bath also damages the feet skin, avoid warm and cold water at a time to use.

• Scrubbing dry feet

Dry feet scrubbing directly causes cracks feet because dry skin surface is also causes itching problem

• Inappropriate footwear

 Walking without shoes or any footwear can make you more prone to cracked feet.

• An extended period of standing

Standing on your feet at work or at home all day, especially on hard floors, can put unnecessary pressure on your heel and cause them to dry.

• Genetic problem

If your parents have a  drying skin or heels, then your skin is likely to be the same.

• Unhygienic condition

A fungal infection like Tinea can cause your skin to dry up and crack more than usual.

• Nutrition deficiency

Without adequate vitamins, minerals, zinc, and other nutrients, your skin can not work to remain soft and tender.

• Weight gain

Excess weight can increase the pressure on your heels, which can cause a crack in feet. The heel is forced to expand further when it has to support heavy weight and is at greater risk of breakdown.

Some medical conditions can also cause the crack in heels:

• Diabetes
• Thyroid problems
• Dermatitis
• Down syndrome
• Kidney disease
• Lymphoma
• Psoriasis and eczema

Most read: Private part itching

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Risk Factors: Due to cracked heels

 

Risk Factor Due To cracked Heels
Diabetes( Causes many problems like excess weight gain, cataracts).	Psoriasis(Skin cells problem).	Fungal infections(Candidiasis, Aspergillosis) effects on immunity system.
Flat feet	Athlete’s foot	Heel spurs
Deep cracks in heels not only damage your feet but it may cause some serious problem, don’t avoid the cracked feet.

• • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Psoriasis
  • Eczema
  • Flat feet
  • Athlete’s foot
  • Fungal infections
  • Heel spurs
  •  Hypothyroidism
  • Sjogren’s syndrome
  • juvenile plantar dermatosis

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Do’s and Don’ts Cracked Heels

Do’s During Cracked Heel	Don’ts During Cracked Heel
It is important to know which type of care you have to take during cracked heels. Because sometimes if you don’t have an idea which thing is good for feets then medicine or natural treatments don’t help you a lot.
Clean your heels.	Wear tight shoes.
Try to hydrate your feet.	Scrub your feet.
Regular treatment.	Use more water.
Wear soft slippers for comfort.	Play in the dust, walk without shoes.
Natural treatments like Aloe vera treatment, Coconut Oil, Olive oil treatment for deep cracked heels/feet remedy.	Avoid foot crack cream.

Natural Protection:

Natural treatment is the best treatment for any disease because side effects ratio for natural treatment is less than medicinal treatment.

1. Aloe vera treatment

Working of Aloe vera on Cracked Heels:

– It helps to maintain smoothness for the dry and dead skin.
– Present Amino Acids act as skin-softening action.

Process for using:

1> Soak feet in warm water (2-3 minutes).
2> Rinse water of feet with the help of the towel.
3> Apply gel and wear socks for overnight.
4> Repeat this process for 4- 5 night.
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2. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

Working of Apple Cider Vinegar on Cracked Heels:

– Mild Acids presence, which helps to reduce the hardness of dead or dry skin.
– Helps to exfoliate, as a result, new and healthy skin revealed.

Process for using:

1> Take 4 to 5 cups of water (1 liter).
2> Add apple cider vinegar and mix well.
3> Soak feet with aqua + apple cider vinegar (mix water) for 13-15 minutes.
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3. Baking Soda

Working of Baking Soda on Cracked Heels:

– Due to anti-inflammatory properties, it helps to decrease pain.
– Help to remove dead skin.

Process for using:

1> Take 3/4 warm water in a bucket and add baking soda.
2> Soke your feet for 10 – 15 minutes.
3> Remove leg and scrub gently.
4> Rinse your leg at last.
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4. Banana And Avocado Foot Mask

Working of Banana And Avocado Foot Mask on Cracked Heels:

– Avocado has a lot of essential oils, vitamins, and fats, which gives the fastest treatment.
– Banana act as a moisturizer.

Process for using:

1> Take 1 banana and 1/2 avocado, blend it well.
2> Apply this mixture on heels or feet.
3> Wait for 15-20 minutes and wash.
4> Wash your feet with lukewarm water.
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5. Coconut Oil

Working of Coconut Oil:

– Help to hydrate the skin, moisturizes dry skin.
– Give nourishment treatment for deeper layers heels.

Process for using:

1> Take coconut oil (2 tablespoons).
2> Apply it on feet.
3> After applying it, wear shocks.
4> Open shocks next morning, repeat this process for 1 week.

Massage a spoonful of coconut oil on each cracked heel and cover with socks before bed. In the morning, cracked heels should be smoother and softer. Repeat if needed each night until cracked heels are better. Coconut oil is a natural sanitizer and helps to kill germs that could lead to infection.

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6. Epsom Salt

Working of Coconut Oil on Cracked Heels:

– Sodium helps to clean dead cells.
– Chlorine helps to soften the skin.

Process for using:

1> Take 1/2 cup of Epsom Salt and mix in warm water.
2> Soak your leg for 15 minutes.
3> Scrub dead skin cells.
4> repeat this process twice or thrice in a week.
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7. Honey

Working of Banana And Avocado Foot Mask on Cracked Heels:

– Act as antiseptic, decrease the ratio of infection.
– Also, act as a conditioner for heels.

Process for using:

1> Mix 1/2 cup honey in warm water (half bucket).
2> Soak your feet for 15 to 20 minutes.
3> remove feet from the leg and rub on dead skin.
4> repeat this process 3 times a week.
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8. Lemon, Salt, Glycerine, And Rosewater Foot Mask

Working of Lemon, Salt, Glycerine, And Rosewater Foot Mask on Cracked Heels:

– The acidic property of lemon juice removes dead and dry skin.
– Glycerin softens the skin.
– Rosewater healing cracks of feet due to there antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Process for using:

1> Add Lemon(10 drops), Salt(1 teaspoon), Glycerine, And Rosewater in warm water and mix them.
2> Soak your feet for 15m to 20 minutes.
3> Scrub with a pumice stone, after that again make
4> Mixture of 1 teaspoon of glycerine, rosewater, and lemon juice.
5> Apply this mixture on the cracked part of feet.
6> Leave it for 1 night.
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9. Olive Oil

Working of Olive Oil on Cracked Heels:

– Having nourishing properties, help to make skin soft.
– Best natural and easy process to get smooth, soft, and healthy heels.

Process for using:

1> Take 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pot.
2> Apply oil with help of cotton.
3> Massage 10-15 minutes on cracked area.
4> Repeat this process daily.

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10. Pumice Stone

Working of Pumice Stone on Cracked Heels:

– The rough surface is not in smooth in touch, Pumice Stone helps to remove that dead cells
– Easy to scrape

Process for using:

1> Soak feet for 10 to 15 minutes in warm water.
2> Rub with Pumice Stone with a soft hand.
3> Rinse and repeat this process regularly.
4> Don’t rub your feet skin hardly, otherwise, it becomes painful and bleeding.
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11. Tea Tree Oil

Working of Tea Tree Oil on Cracked Heels:

– Act as a cleanser.
– Help to make skin soft.

Process for using:

1> Take 5-6 drops of tea tree oil and mix coconut oil (1 teaspoon).
2> Massage on a cracked skin for 2-3 minutes.
3> Wear shocks for a night.
4> Don’t use tea tree oil directly on the cracked skin.

Vegetable Oil

Process for using:

1> vegetable oil 2 teaspoons

2> Wash your feet and dry them up completely using a clean towel. Then apply a layer of vegetable oil on the cracked parts of your feet.

3> Wear a pair of thick socks and leave it on overnight.

4> Wash your feet in the morning.

Vaseline and Lemon Juice

Working of Vaseline and Lemon Juice on Cracked Heels: Lemon’s acidic properties and Vaseline’s moisturizing properties help you get rid of dry and achy feet.

Process for using:

1> 1 teaspoon Vaseline

2> 4 to 5 drops lemon juice

3> Warm water

4> Soak your feet in warm water for about 15-20 minutes. Rinse and pat dry.

5> Mix one teaspoon of Vaseline and a few drops of lemon juice. Rub this mixture over your heels and other cracked parts of the feet till it gets absorbed into the skin.

6> Apply this mixture and wear a pair of woolen socks. leave it on overnight and wash off in the morning. Woolen socks help trap the body’s heat and increase the effectiveness of the mixture.

Shea Butter

Working of Shea butter on Cracked Heels : Shea butter is a well-known skin moisturizer that hydrates and nourishes the skin. It also possesses healing properties and improves various skin conditions related to dryness because of its vitamin A and vitamin E content

Process for using:

1> 1-2 tablespoons organic shea butter

2> A pair of socks

3> Apply shea butter on your feet and massage them for a minute or two so that the shea butter gets absorbed easily.

4> Slip on some socks and leave the shea butter on overnight.

5> Repeat this for a few nights for soft heels.

Glycerine for cracked feet:

Working of Glycerine on Cracked Heels : Glycerin is one of the best moisturizers that one can imagine. Applying glycerin to a broken heel can speed up the treatment process.

Process for using:

1> Mix one teaspoon glycerine with two spoonful rosewater and half teaspoon fresh lemon juice.

2>Put this mixture on your heels and wear a pair of clean socks.

3> You should follow this remedy just before going to bed in the night.

4> It can give you smooth and soft heels without any crack.

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Treatment for cracked feet or heels

Here are some remedies which can soothe your cracked heels and give much relief.

Using an emollient moisturizer: Emollients penetrate the skin and reduce water loss. They fill the gaps between skin cracks, which makes the skin feel smooth, soft, and flexible. They help to reduce water loss in the skin.

Using a humectant moisturizer: It penetrates the outer layer of the skin and attracts water from the air. This moisturizer maintains moisture and water in the skin.

Applying an occlusive moisturizer:  Occlusive moisturizers coat the skin in a thin film that prevents moisture evaporating from the outermost layer of the skin.

Examples of occlusive moisturizer:

• petroleum jelly
• lanolin
• mineral oil
• silicones, such as dimethicone

Petroleum jelly is considered to be the most effective.

Applying keratolytic to thickened skin: Keratolites are such agents that make the skin thin, loose the outer skin layer and help remove dead skin cells. This process allows the skin to be in excessive moisture.

Gently rubbing thickened skin with pumice stone: Gently rubbing a pumice stone against the heel, once the skin is moisturized, may help reduce the thickness of the hard skin and calluses.

wearing 100% cotton socks to bed: Skin on the heel should soften after this routine is repeated for a few days. Cotton socks allow the skin to breath and helps to keep the moisture.

Using a liquid bandage: Bandages can be used to cover the damaged skin. It can be liquid, gel or spray. bandage provide a protective layer over the cracks, help reduce pain, stop dirt and germs entering the wounds and aid faster healing.

Medical treatment: People should see a podiatrist or dermatologist if their heels are severely cracked or if self-treatment does not improve cracked heels after a week then consult from the dermatologist. if medical care is required , a doctor may:

• Prescribe an antibiotic if there is an infection
• Apply medical glue to seal cracks
• Recommend shoe inserts, heel pads or heel cups
• Remove dead skin
• Prescribe stronger softening or removal agents

Cracked Heels Remedy At Home

Cracked heels aren’t serious. It can occur in both adults and children and seems to affect women more than men. If cracks in the heels can become very deep and cause pain. Read and learn more about the best foot care home remedies for treating and preventing heels.

Heel Balms Or Thick Moisturizers

The first treatment for cracked heels is using a heel balm. It contains ingredients to moisturize, soften and exfoliate dead skin.

• salicylic acid (Kerasal)
• Saccharide isomerate
• alpha-hydroxy acids (Amlactin)
• urea ( Flexitol heel balm )

This is normal if some heel balm may cause minor stinging or irritation. If the blam continues to bother you or causes severe reactions. Because in server cases of cracked heels may require a prescription-strength blam or steroid cream to help reduce inflammation and relieve itching. You can purchase the heel balm over the counter at a drug store or online.

How to use :

1. In the morning apply heel balm to increase skin elasticity before you start your day
2. In a day moisturize your heel two to three times.
3. Wear comfortable shoes that protect your heel

 Soak And Exfoliate Your Feet

The skin around the cracked heels is often thicker and drier than the rest of your skin. When you apply pressure this skin tends to split. Moisturizing and soaking your feet can with this.

Steps for foot soak:- 

1.   Keep your feet in soapy and lukewarm water for up to 20 minutes.
2.   Use a pumice stone, loofah, or foot scrubber to remove any hard, thick skin.
3.   Gently dry your feet.
4.   Apply a thick moisturizer or a heel balm on the affected area.
5.   After that apply petroleum jelly over your feet to lock in moisture.
6.   Wear on soaks to avoid spreading any grease around.

If your feet are dry than avoid scrubbing because it increases your risk for damaged skin.

Liquid bandage

You can also apply a liquid bandage to cracks to seal the wound and prevent infections or further cracking. It comes as a spray, which means you can go about your day without worrying about the bandage coming off. A liquid bandage is a good option for treating deep heel cracks that may bleed. Apply liquid bandage to clean, dry skin. As the crack heals, the coating is forced to the skin’s surface. You can buy this product without a prescription at a drug store or online.

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 According to people’s report success using super glue to close skin cracks. The  1999 case study observed ten people who used two to three drops of super glue along each crack. It held the crack together for 60 seconds to allow it to seal. About a week later, they reported the cracks to be closed and pain-free. This commercial super glue can be toxic, depending on the brand. Talk to your doctor before trying this approach.

Moisturizing Heel Sleeves

 

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Moisturizing heel sleeves have a similar effect on foot soaks. These sleeves are like socks that contain therapeutic oil and vitamins to help treat your dry skin. For best results wearing sleeves for 7 nights, and then 2-3 times per week or as needed. for more rapidly treatment use with a skin moisturizer.

Best creams:

Himalaya Foot care Cream

• An herbal formation
• Helps in treating rough heels, cracks, and fissured heels.
• Used for External use only.

Inactives: Methylparaben IP, Propylparaben, Bronopol IP

Contain: Honey (12mg), Curcuma longa (Rz 11mg), Zingiber officinale (Rz 9mg)

 

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Heel Cream

• Best Quality.
• Natural and pure.
• External use only.
• The result can be observed in 5-7 days.
• Most be use regularly.

Ingredients: Aloe vera and oil.

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Babaria Aloe Vera Cracked Heel –

• Fast action on skin
• Needs regular use(twice in a day)
• External use only

Ingredients: Aqua, Aloe, Barbadensis leaf, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Paraffinum Liquidum, Dimethicone, Ceteth-24, Limonene, Sodium Carbomer

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Moisturizing Urea Lotion

• Triple action: Intensive healing, remove extremely dry, rough, scaly and aging skin.
• It helps in restores reduced levels of urea in your skin’s.
• The doctor also recommended this cream.

Ingredients: Water(Aqua), Urea, Citric Acid, Seed Oil, Glycerin and many more.

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Alberta Horse Oil

• Help to repairs cracked heels
• Anti-fungal & anti-bacterial
• Repairing rough dry skin chapped feet
• Available ingredients for Nutrition, Herbal Formula, Moderate Humidity, Avoid
• Chapped Skin Problems of the Hands and Feet.

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O’Keeffe’s for Healthy Feet Foot Cream

O’Keeffe’s for Healthy Feet

• A lab-created moisturizer that promotes healing.
•  Rich in glycerin.
•  keep your feet soft, sandal-ready and pain-free for all year long
• It helps to heal dry skin and heel cracks
• Best for those people whom other products have failed or fallen short.

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Flexitol heel balm

• Handles both exfoliation and moisture in a single step
• Increase moisture, restore balance
• Soften your dry cracked heels
• Clinically proven to help your feet shed flaky, dead skin

 

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Miracle Heel Stick with UltraAloe

• Heals rough, cracked, hardend, painful heels fast
• Men and women both say it’s the best heel stick they’ve ever used
• Exclusive  ultra aloe organic processed gel
• Mature aloe leaves harvested at peak potency.
• No-mess stick applicator that goes on smooth

 

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Life and pursuits real organic foot cream

• Relieves  discomfort and prevents a fungal infection
• organic ingredients and oil that soothe the rough and dry skin
• 95% certified organic ingredient

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Burt’s bee coconut foot cream

• Deeply moisturize your feet
• Enriched with coconut oil
• Blend of biotechnical extracts that prevent dry skin and heel your feet
• No harmful chemical
• Quick results

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Soultree hand & foot cream

• Contains aloe vera, coconut oil, honey turmeric
• Suitable for all skin types
• Ultra hydrating cream that promotes cell regeneration and nourishes your hand and feet
• Oriflame feet up advanced foot cream

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Some other creams that are also beneficial for cracked heels

Here is a list of some other best cream for cracked feet or heels that are available in the market:

Your feet are real superheroes for your body, only they know how they suffer every day. your feet do a lot for you, take your body weight on it. But, we usually think of them only when there is a problem with them. It’s our responsibility just to take care of it by using the best cream for it or protect it from cracking.

Heal the cracks organic foot cream: This cream is a unique mixture of organic ingredients and oils that cools the rough and dry skin of your feet. It makes them naturally hydrate and soften. It prevents fungal infections. This cream is manufactured by Life & Pursuits.

Skin Care foot cream: This cream contains pure essential oils which repair broken and scaly skin. When you apply it on your feet, it has a comfortable and soothing effect. Its smooth and creamy texture spreads easily on your skin and quickly gets absorbed. This cream is manufactured by Bio Bloom.

Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E Foot Magic: This product has been prepared with pure Cocoa butter and is rich with Vitamin E. There are natural emulators that penetrate your skin and calm the rough and dry skin on your feet. It also contains peppermint oil which rejuvenates your dry feet. This cream is manufactured by  Palmer’s.

Coconut foot cream with vitamin E: This cream moisturizes your feet deeply. It is enriched with a mixture of coconut oil and vegetable extracts which prevents dry skin and cures your feet. It also contains peppermint oil which freshness and refreshes your feet. This cream is manufactured by  Burt’s Bees.

Hand and foot cream: It is an intensive care and repair formula that is suitable for both hands and feet. It is an ultra-hydrated cream that promotes cell regeneration and nourishes your hands and feet. It includes kokum butter, aloe vera, honey, turmeric, coconut oil, and apricot oil. This cream is manufactured by  Soul tree.

These are the creams among all the foot formula’s available in the market right now. Choose according to your foot condition.

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Q&A

Q. What is afoot fissure?

A- Foot fissure is commonly known as Heel fissures, maybe occurs by a cosmetic problem. Basically, the outer layer of feet may be damage due to dry skin. It also causes pain and bleeds in a condition of deep fissures.

Q. How do you heal a heel fissure?

A- Apple Cider Vinegar the best way to treat heel fissure.
1. Take 4 to 5 cups of water (1 liter).

2. Add apple cider vinegar and mix well.

3. Soak feet with aqua + apple cider vinegar (mix water) for 13-15 minutes.

Q. What causes dry feet and heels?

A- Dehydration, Diabetes, psoriasis, eczema, thyroid disease can cause dry feet and heels. This is the common problem of cracked heels.

Q. What helps diabetic dry feet?

A-
1. Check your feet daily/ try to protect from dust.
2. Wash your feet with warm water, not with hot water.
3. Wear perfect size shoes, along with clean shocks.
4. Do exercises like Cycling and Yoga.

Suggested Read: Why to do yoga?

Q. Should I moisturize my feet?

A- Yes, you can moisturize your feet with the help of both the things cream and natural treatment.
Cream: Heel Cream, Babaria Aloe Vera,
Natural treatment:
1. Coconut Oil
– Take 2 teaspoon coconut oil
– Apply oil with the help of cotton or hand
– After that wear shocks overnight and rinses with warm water the next day.

Q. What do diabetic feet feel like?

A- According to patients: tingling, burning, sharp, shooting, and lightning-like the pain is felt by him. The cracks area of feet bleeds sometimes when it damages deeper. Don’t worry about all peripheral neuropathy caused by diabetes.