Patient's question:
Calluses and cracks on the soles this winterDoctor's answer:
How to Prevent and Treat Dry Cracks in Hands and Feet During Winter1. Once winter arrives, some people often experience dry cracks on their heels, sides of the feet, etc. (commonly referred to as "cracks"). The surrounding skin becomes dry, rough, thick, and hard. When the cracks deepen, they may even bleed. Walking becomes extremely painful, making it very inconvenient. First, wash and dry your feet with warm water. Then, apply "sterile adhesive bandages" to the cracks. After several days, you will see significant improvement—the cracks and pain will gradually disappear, and your feet will return to normal. Continue this method if the cracks recur.
2. Every winter, due to the cold and dry weather, my hands and feet develop cracks, causing pain. These cracks often appear on the heels and the sides of my thumb nails. The treatment is to stretch the cracks and apply adhesive at night. The next day, the cracks will begin to heal, and the effect is remarkable.
3. During autumn and winter, many middle-aged and elderly people suffer from dry, cracked skin on their hands and feet, which is very uncomfortable. I have tried various methods to treat this, but none were effective. This winter, I tried a moisturizing method similar to facial cleansers and found unexpected results. Before putting on socks in the morning, apply a small amount of facial cleanser to my feet and gently rub with your hands. Let it dry slightly, then put on your shoes and socks. Before bed, wash your feet with warm water. If you persist daily, you will see significant improvement.
4. A magazine article mentioned that Schaefer Bas, a 53-year-old man from Ohio, USA, has been treating thick calluses on people's hands and feet with his forehead sweat for over 20 years. More than 20 people have been cured by his forehead sweat. In recent years, my heels have cracked severely during winter, causing unbearable pain. The only temporary solution was to tape them. Last summer, I decided to try this method myself—rubbing my heels with forehead sweat 20 to 30 times. Last winter, the cracking was greatly reduced. This summer, I rubbed the easily cracked areas 30 to 40 times with forehead sweat, and so far, no cracks have appeared. It seems the condition has been largely cured.
5. Since winter, my hands have frequently cracked, and no amount of hand cream seemed to help. Later, I tried toothpaste, and surprisingly, just one application relieved the pain. You might want to give it a try.
6. Cold and dry winter weather is one factor that causes dry cracks in hands and feet, while the reduced intake of fresh fruits and vegetables is another important cause. I recommend drinking a glass of fruit juice daily to those who suffer from cracked hands and feet. My father used to have severe dry cracks, peeling skin, and bleeding cracks, which were very painful. After he started drinking a glass of fruit juice every day and persisted for a while, his cracked skin improved significantly, and the peeling stopped. Now, he drinks a glass of fruit juice daily and no longer suffers from cracked hands and feet.
7. Cut a 8 cm plastic bag (like a milk bag) diagonally, taking the bottom half (which forms a triangular pouch). In the evening after washing your feet or in the morning, place the pouch over your heels and put on socks. By the end of the day, your heels will be moist and free of cracks. Repeat every 2–3 days (depending on the severity of the cracks) for excellent results.
Advice:
8. Mustard Treats Heel Cracks
For years, my heels have cracked severely during winter and spring, with dry, bleeding cracks. Applying glycerin, cooling oil, or crack cream had little effect. Later, I tried mustard, and after two days, the cracks were mostly healed. The method is: Wash your feet with warm water (around 40°C) for about 10 minutes, then dry them. Mix mustard with warm water to form a paste (not too thin) and apply it to the affected areas. Wear socks to keep it clean. The next day, wash your feet again and repeat the application 2–3 times for complete healing.
9. Vinegar Heals Cracked Hands and Feet
A few years ago, my hands and feet cracked severely every winter, causing unbearable pain. Multiple hospital visits yielded no results. One year, when I returned to my hometown, my mother suggested: Buy a pound of vinegar, boil it in an iron pot, and after it boils for five minutes, pour it into a basin. Let it cool slightly, then soak your hands and feet for 10 minutes. Do this two or three times a day for a 7-day course. After two courses, my condition was completely cured, and I haven’t had cracks for over 10 years.
10. Foot Powder Treats Cracks Effectively
I am a 60-year-old elderly person. In the past, my heels would develop hard, cracked skin every winter, even with tape, which only provided temporary relief. Last winter, I used foot powder for four washes, and all the hard skin on my feet fell off. Now, after one winter, my feet no longer have thick, hard skin or cracks, and athlete’s foot has also cleared up.
11. Flour Cures Dry Cracks
A few days ago, during a strong windstorm, my heels cracked deeply, causing severe pain even while sleeping. A friend told me that rubbing flour into the cracks could heal them. That night, I tried it. After rubbing the flour into my heels, I applied a thin layer of flour paste and wrapped my feet with plastic wrap, then put on socks. The next morning, I had no pain at all.
12. A Method to Treat Cracks
My heels used to crack severely, causing unbearable pain. My sister suggested soaking my feet in hot water and then using an alcohol-disinfected blade to shave off the hard, dry skin layer by layer until soft skin was exposed. I wrapped my heels with petroleum jelly and gauze and secured them with a bandage. I changed the gauze twice every three days, and after a week, the cracks were completely healed. I used to work as a nurse at 301 Hospital and used this method to relieve many cracked-heel patients.
13. Used Tea Water Treats Cracks
Every winter, my heels cracked, affecting my ability to walk. In the past, applying anti-crack cream did not solve the severe dryness. This winter, I accidentally discovered that soaking my hands and feet in used tea water (mixed with hot water) for about 10 minutes before bed helped. After a week of persistence, my skin gradually became smooth, and the cracks healed. Later, I had my husband try it, and after about 10 days, the results were very noticeable.
14. Vitamin E Treats Dry Cracks
Every autumn, my hands and feet start cracking, and while ointments can temporarily heal them, they return when I get wet (washing clothes or dishes). Later, I tried applying vitamin E capsules to the affected areas, which worked well. The method is: Pierce a vitamin E capsule with a needle, squeeze the oil onto the cracked areas (one capsule can be used multiple times). Apply after washing your hands, and continue applying frequently once healed to prevent recurrence.
15. Honey Rubs Cure Cracked Hands
After breakfast each day, wash and dry your hands. Apply honey to the palms, back of hands, and nail gaps, then rub with a small towel for 5–10 minutes. Your hands will feel warm. Before bed, wash your hands again and repeat the honey rub. My hands used to crack painfully, but this method has cured them.
16. Jujube Paste Heals Cracks
My husband’s hands and feet crack in winter. Hot water soaking, adhesive bandages, and soft boot covers didn’t help. Chen Pingwen from Furen Street in Xicheng District shared her homemade remedy, which worked in just five days. The method is: Remove the skin and seeds from several large jujubes, wash them with warm water, and cook them into a paste. Apply it to the cracked areas like face cream. Light cracks heal in 2–3 applications.
17. Apple Peels Cure Heel Cracks
Every winter, my heels crack, causing painful sores. Recently, I rubbed the peels of apples I () with the affected areas. After just three rubs, the cracks healed and the skin became smooth.
18. Banana Heals Cracked Skin
Choose a ripe banana with black skin, warm it near a fireplace, and apply it to the cracked areas, rubbing for a while. This can promote quick healing of cracked skin.
19. Banana Peel Treats Cracks
I have had cracked feet for years. Taping with adhesive and applying pig fat didn’t help. Later, I heard about using the inner part of banana peels. After persisting for 3–5 days, rubbing once or twice a day, I saw significant improvement.
20. Orange Peel Treats Cracks
Apply fresh orange peel juice to cracked hands and feet to soften the hard skin and heal the cracks. Alternatively, soak dried orange peels in water to wash hands and feet, achieving the same effect. However, it’s important to use this method frequently, preferably for two consecutive weeks.