The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Anti-Fungal Supplements
Posted by Jonna ( NYC, NY, USA) on 07/27/2008
★★★★★
1:30am, Saturday Night: I read AC from West Midlands, England's post about using Garlic for Athlete's foot a few days ago and was eager to try it. I have had athlete's foot on and off for years. I also have deeply etched cracked heals which I understand is possibly a fungal infection. And then recently the skin around my right big toe started to peel and looks nasty as can be. I tried the best OTC for Athlete's Foot, but with limited success. Takes 5 days to go away and then comes back a couple weeks later.
We had just run out of garlic, so I opted instead for another powerful anti-fungal, Wild Oil of Oregano. I use OO for coughs and sinus infections and had about 15 capsules left. Before going to sleep, I punctured a capsule of oil and rubbed it over both of my feet, especially concentrating it on my big toe, in between my toes where the athelete's foot itched and the cracks on my heals. I put socks on so the oil wouldn't get all over the sheets. It doesn't smell bad at all -- much better than garlic for sure!
Just like AC reported, there was dramatic improvement by the morning! The infection around my big toe was 50% better... The blisters in between my toes had disappeared. The cracks in my heals have started to seal and are unbelievably soft... (I had been rubbing shea butter on the cracks every night, which helped, but not to this extent).
I did the Oregano oil 3 morning and night for 2 days, took a day off. The infection around my big toe is all but gone. No more peeling skin. The cracks on my heels continue to slowly improve. Tonight I switched to Grapefruit Seed Extract and my feet, normally cold, warmed up right away. This may be a great remedy for those suffering from cold hands and feet. My feet are still tinglingly warm 2 hours after applying the GSE.
I have the feeling that the GSE will work just as well as the Oregano Oil. I also am trying the GSE on my perioral dermatitis and will report back any improvements. I can tell you that the itchy postules around my nose have disappeared. I had to wash off the GSE after about 20 minutes because it started to burn.
Lugol's Iodine
Posted by Harrison (Boulder, Colorado) on 07/15/2008
★★★★★
Cracked heels can be cured by first cleaning out the wound with a good neem soap and a q-tip. Then dry the area carefully and add 2 drops of Lugol's iodine to the sore and a glob of aloe vera gel. Cover with a bandage. Repeat once a day. The problem is gone within a week.
Crisco Shortening
Posted by Anna (Elk Grove, CA) on 05/17/2008
★★★★★
Dry Cracked Heels: This remedy sounds odd but works. A friend told me her dermatologist recommened crisco shortening for her cracked heels. She said it worked great so I tried it and my feet are softer, better than any lotions I use. Cheap too.
Crisco Shortening
Posted by JaneySilva (Springtown, TX) on 08/12/2023
★★★★★
This just reminded me of my aunt, who at 80 had no wrinkles. I asked her what she did and she told me she hated her skin to feel dry, so she always kept Crisco on it. Uck, but no wrinkles at 80!
Duct Tape
Posted by Vera (Colorado) on 09/12/2024
Bethany, it could be dyshidrotic eczema. Don't underestimate it. It can get very nasty if not attended to.
Superglue
Posted by Sarah (Burlington, Nc) on 09/21/2013
★★★★☆
For cracked heals, I use Super glue to close the cracks. The original kind only. Two doctors said it was ok and it stops hurting immediately.
Oregano Oil
Posted by Jasmine (Asheville, NC) on 04/28/2013
★★★★★
Cracked heels are hard to beat but recently I broke an oregano capsule and rubbed in on my heels and between my toes before doing my gardening. I didn't think it worked because my feet were quite dry afterwards so I put vaseline on them and went to work well that night they were much smoother. Different than just using vaseline. Also for skin I have had luck with tea tree oil, put it on a facial blemishes as soon as you notice them. One I felt coming up under the skin, I put it on and went to bed it was gone in the morning. If you have red spots on your face or scar tissue I find flax oil is the most antiinflammatory.
Mentholated Vapor Rub
Posted by Charity (faithville, Us) on 06/12/2021
Mentholated Vapor Rub
Posted by Goldengirl52 (USA) on 06/14/2021
Hello Art!! I'm so excited to see someone else that watches Dr. Berg! I saw your post on Parkinson's Disease and just looked for all your posts here on Earthclinic. I'm in CA as well, up North close to Oregon border. I am on the keto diet, dropped sugars/carbs down very low, and in the safe zone (6.0 and lower)for my t2 diabetes. I'm now learning about insulin resistance from both berg, and Dr. Bikman. I study them regularly on youtube and also pub med. I would love to follow you around the site, but I don't think EC has that option. I can save your posts/replies though and will do that!! Check out Dr. Benjamin Bikman if you haven't yet ;) I could listen to him all day!
Mentholated Vapor Rub
Posted by Deirdre (Connecticut) on 06/14/2021
Thank you so much for your reply, Charity. So glad your health issues are all improving. Kudos to you.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Dana (Larose, Louisiana/ Usa) on 03/16/2012
★★★★★
I battled with painful bleeding cracked heels for years, I put this lotion and that lotion with no real improvement. I finally discovered Cracked heel balm at walmart and tried it. It worked great but I could never stop treatment more than a day or two. I do still use it when I get lazy and forget to take care of my feet.
The best thing I ever did for my feet is get a good pair of shoes. I loved being barefoot and when I did wear shoes they were flat and light. When I started wearing a good pair of walking shoes with socks everyday my heels got better. With the added heel cream they were like new. I started using a pumice in the tub for daily care and now I use a little heeltastic before I put on my socks and I hardly ever have trouble, only if I have to go a few days in a dress shoe or a flat tennis shoe. I've recently started using coconut oil and it does a good job too, heeltastic is easier and does a great job. Also I love the ped egg! Not the grater part but the smoother part, feet like a baby!
Tricia's Cracked Heel Remedies
Posted by Glue (Victoria ) on 07/07/2013
I used super glue on it. When the glue fell off eventually the ringworm was gone!
Super Glue, ACV, Coconut Oil
Posted by CYNTHIA (FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS) on 03/19/2009
★★★★☆
DRY/CRACKED SKIN: My heels have been dry for years and I get a thick build up of dry skin and deep painful cracks in the winter. The only thing I found that helps the cracks heal together quickly and alleviates the pain is, believe it or not, super Glue. I just squirt some inside the crack and hold it closed for a minute. A retired military man told me this is what they use on cuts when the soldiers are in the field and they can't get back to medical treatment quickly. It won't cure the problem though. I have tried just about everything to cure the problem and have only been successful in finding softening agents. One remedy I found was Johnson's foot soap, I get it at a major retail store. There are several packets in the box. Before I get started I always gather a towel and my pumice stone and anything else I need. I open a packet and dump it into water that is as hot as I can stand it. Then I pour in about a cup of salt, sometimes I add ACV, and sit and watch tv with my feet soaking. After 20 or so minutes I start working on one foot while the other is still soaking. After I get the dead, dry skin off my feet I soak them in Virgin Coconut Oil. After the first application of coconut oil has soaked in I repeat it. Then right before I go to bed I re-apply. This, combined with using my pumice evry couple days and re-applying the coconut oil keeps my feet soft and smooth for a while. I think the build up of dead skin is hereditary and wonder if there is a cure. Does anyone out there know what will stop my feet from cracking open? This year my right thumb has also cracked open and is painful.
Omega 3
Posted by Bev (Long Beach, CA/USA) on 01/18/2009
★★★★★
I suffered for years from cracked heels. Felt as though I was walking on glass fragments. Nothing topical worked for me. I started taking fish, flaxseed, and borage oil combination (purchased at wal-mart, spring valley brand, 1200 mg per softgel). Within months my heels had closed up and I haven't had a problem since. Hopes this helps others.
Raw Honey
Posted by Julie (Seattle, WA) on 06/11/2008
★★★★★
re: Fissures (Cracked Feet) -- I get painful fissures on my feet; sometimes so bad that I can barely walk. Lately, I've been using raw (must be raw) honey on them at night. Slather liberally and put on cotton socks. In the morning, my feet are soft and usually the fissures are gone in 1-3 days.
Vinegar, Shoes and Socks in the Freezer
Posted by Robin (New Mexico, USA) on 03/29/2008
★★★★★
I was reading the oil pulling pages, and saw that so many people were plagued with cracking heels, and I felt bad because I know how to make it go away. You just put vinegar on the cracked heel everyday for 6 months without missing a day, and place your socks and shoes in the freezer for 24-48 hours from time to time. This will also heal nail fungus, itchy ears, athletes foot, and dandruff, (just put it on a little while before shampoo-ing, then rinse with vinegar/water dilute). Anything yeasty where you can stand to put vinegar. You of course would have to dilute it to treat vaginal yeast infections
Oil Pulling
Posted by Kitty (Clatskanie, OR) on 07/11/2006
★★★★★
We have a group of people doing this procedure on curezone.com
http://curezone.com/forums/f.asp?f=738
also www.oilpulling.com has info
There isn't a lot of information on it, in english anyway. It's excellent for dental health with results within days if not hours. It's truly amazing!!! One lady had 3 #9 pockets plus numerous 8, 7, 6 and 5s. After Oil Pulling for 5 minutes a day for two months, she went to the dentist with 2 #7 pockets at worst.
I've been doing it for a few months now. I had gone to the dentist because of problems with a couple deep pockets. He was going to send me to a periodontist for possle surgery. Then I found out about oil pulling. I had posted on the dental forum at curezone and someone mentioned the oil pulling. After a couple days of doing it my gums felt much better. Now after about 3 months my gums are so much better, my teeth are markedly whiter, my mouth feels clean and gums healthy. My cracked heels are almost cured as well (go figure that). I have less aches and pains. It used to be difficult climbing the stairs and getting up my feet would hurt, but I feel much better all around. It's a crazy thing to do but it's fantastic. It's so simple and inexpensive. I use refined expeller pressed (Hain brand) sunflower oil. I also started adding a few drops of oil of oregano, which has anti bacterial properties. Check us out at curezone! Kitty
Comfrey-Aloe
Posted by Cindy (Illinois, USA) on 06/16/2024 523 posts
Coconut oil doesn't do anything for me, either. BUT, it was awesome when I used it to wash my broken foot! And also works all over, anytime I don't have time to shower.
Vaseline
Posted by Nancy (Tuscaloosa, Al) on 03/11/2013
★★★★★
For dry cracked heels/feet use vaseline. Soak feet in ACV then remove dead skin, dry then apply vaseline to feet and put on clean pair of socks. Do this daily for smooth as a baby's butt. Do this treatment daily for life & you will have no foot problems.
Mentholated Vapor Rub
Posted by Donna (Brooklyn, NYC) on 06/12/2021
What kind of socks? I tried it with cotton ones and they just rubbed off the rub.
Nitrile Socks
Posted by Bernadette (Redding, Ca Usa) on 09/02/2011
★★★★★
Nothing on the market today treats moisture loss--only SoleMates nitrile coated socks. Easy to use economical and they really work!
Tricia's Cracked Heel Remedies
Posted by J (Portland, Me) on 11/26/2009
I do the same only I use the stuff they put on cow udders. It works great!
Tricia's Cracked Heel Remedies
Posted by Elaine (Yucca Valley, Ca) on 07/19/2011
I only get cracked heels when I wear shoes that cave in at the heel area. When I wear shoes where the heel rests on a flat base, the cracked areas go away quickly.
Omega 3
Posted by Renate (Parrish, FL, USA ) on 03/20/2009
★★★★★
I have cracked heels. I use flax seed oil or hemp oil 1 tbl. per day. When I stop, the dry cracked heals return. Once they are in good shape, I reduce the oil useage. I make a smoothie in a blender and add it to that, but you can incorporate the oil in salads etc. Interesting about the fungus part - I'll have to do some research on that. Thanks. I hope this helps.
Super Glue, ACV, Coconut Oil
Posted by Susan (Stroudsburg, Pa) on 01/14/2010
HYDRATION and omega 3 fatty acids and coconut oil. Drink lots of pure water (non-fluoridated, non-chloridated) daily(1/2 your body weight in oz. i.e if you weigh 100 lbs, you'd drink at least 50 oz of water daily) Dry skin, including cracked heals are a sign of low omega 3 fatty acids, dehydration and poor nutrition or poor digestion of nutrient. Take cod liver oil internally. Then also after showering each day massage into your feet organic coconut oil then cover feet with socks. Do this again every night before bed, but slather more on than you would daytime and cover with socks. Clean up your diet....eliminate sugar, flour, soda, and any other junk. Eat lots of raw and lightly steamed vegetables. Drink Komboucha to help replenish your good gut bacteria. Depending on how bad your feet are, each person is different, but you will see changes and eventually your feet will be soft as a babies butt. And you will be healthier. Also it would be helpful to cook more with that coconut oil as well as eat a tablespoon or more each day.
Bandaid, Emery Board, Moisturize
Posted by Peter (Belen, New Mexico) on 12/29/2008
★★★★★
What works for me for Cracked Heels is the following: First, I'll cover the crack(s) with a band aid to alleviate discomfort. Then, while showering, I use the coarse side of a foot Emery Board until the skin around the cracks is no longer calloused or hard; I then rub the area carefully with the smooth side. Finally, after the shower, I try to leave that area a little damp and use a non-fragrant body moisturizer from the health food store if the crack is not too sensitive - otherwise, a band aid again. As a followup, I try to maintain this area with moisturizer and periodic use of the emery board. I've been doing this for several years with good results. I hope this helps.
What I haven't been able to do is heal the cracked tip of my finger or thumb. I'll try the vinegar and see if that helps. The band aid therapy works, but I want to eliminate the cause, whatever that may be...
Bandaid, Emery Board, Moisturize
Posted by S. Jewell (Kentucky, US) on 02/16/2015
My husband used to get severe cracks in the tips of his fingers until my doctor brother told him to take zinc, which he did, and the cracks healed promptly. He suggested that white spots in the fingernails can indicate a zinc deficiency, which in turn causes splits in the fingertips.
Anti-Fungal Supplements
Posted by Carol (Gulfport, Mississippi) on 08/14/2011
★★★★★
soaking your feet in a diluted solution of Pine-Sol will do the trick for cracked heel fungus... A physician told me this many years ago.... So when one of my children had a foot condition this is what I did and no more problems. Then I use vit. E or a lanolin and I personally use "duct" tape to cover my heels due to the fact I cannot stand my feet covered when I sleep. My condition started after Katrina when we were so involved with the clean up and I have tried everything!!!! Pine-Sol did the trick! YAY!!!
