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. As 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, causing great inconvenience. First, wash and dry your feet with warm water. Then, apply "sterile adhesive plasters" (commonly known as "adhesive bandages") to the cracks. After a few days, the condition improves significantly, with cracks and pain gradually disappearing, and the skin returning to normal. Continue using 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 are often found on the heels and the sides of the thumbnails. The treatment involves stretching the cracks and applying adhesive at night. The next day, the cracks begin to heal, and the effect is remarkable.
3. During autumn and winter, many 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 inspired by facial cleansers and applied it to my hands and feet, achieving unexpected results. The method is as follows: Before putting on socks in the morning, apply a small amount of facial cleanser to each foot and gently rub it with your hands. Let it dry slightly, then put on your shoes and socks. Before going to bed at night, wash your feet with warm water. If you follow this routine every day, the condition will improve significantly.
4. A magazine article described a case: Sheikh 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 and hurt severely during winter, and the only temporary solution was to tape them. Last summer, I decided to try this method myself. I rubbed my heels with forehead sweat for 20 to 30 times. Last winter, the cracking was greatly reduced. This summer, I rubbed the easily cracked areas with forehead sweat for 30 to 40 times, and so far, no cracks have appeared. It seems that the condition has been largely cured.
5. Since winter, my hands have frequently cracked, and no matter how much hand cream I use, it doesn’t help. Later, I tried using toothpaste, and surprisingly, after just one application, the cracks stopped hurting. 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 during winter is another important cause. I recommend a method for those who suffer from cracked hands and feet—drink a glass of fruit juice every day. My father used to have severe dry cracks, peeling, and bleeding on his hands and feet, which were very painful. After he started drinking a glass of fruit juice every day and persisted for a while, the cracks and peeling improved significantly. Now, he drinks a glass of fruit juice every day and no longer suffers from cracked hands and feet.
7. Cut a 8-centimeter plastic bag (like a milk bag) diagonally to create a triangular pouch with the bottom. In the evening after washing your feet or in the morning, place the pouch over your heels and wear socks. By the end of the day, your heels will be moist and free of cracks. Repeat this every 2 to 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, spring, and autumn, with blood oozing out. Applying glycerin, cooling oil, or crack creams had no effect, but mustard worked wonders. After applying mustard for two days, the cracks healed almost completely. The method is as follows: Wash your feet with warm water (around 40°C) and soak them 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 the area clean. The next day, wash your feet again and repeat the application 2 to 3 times for complete healing.
9. Vinegar Cures My Hands and Feet Cracks
A few years ago, my hands and feet cracked severely every winter, causing unbearable pain. I visited hospitals multiple times, but nothing helped. 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, let it simmer for five minutes. Then pour the vinegar into a basin and let it cool. Soak your hands and feet in the vinegar for 10 minutes, twice a day. Follow this for a 7-day course. After two courses, my condition was completely cured, and I haven’t had any cracks for over 10 years.
10. Foot Powder Treats Cracks Effectively
I am a senior citizen in my 60s. In the past, my feet developed hard skin and cracks every winter, even after taping them, 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 a winter has passed, my feet no longer have thick, hard skin or cracks, and athlete’s foot has also disappeared.
11. Flour Can Treat 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 on my heels, I applied a thin layer of it and wrapped my feet with plastic wrap, then put on socks. The next day, I had no pain at all.
12. A Method to Treat Heel Cracks
I once had severely cracked heels, which were very painful. My sister told me to soak my feet in hot water and then use an alcohol-disinfected blade to shave off the hard and dry skin layer by layer until soft skin was exposed. Then, wrap petroleum jelly and gauze around my heels and secure them with a bandage. Change the gauze twice every three days, and after a week, the condition was completely cured. I used to work as a nurse at 301 Hospital and also used this method to relieve pain for cracked-heeled patients.
13. Leftover Tea Water Treats Cracks
Every winter, my heels cracked, affecting my ability to walk. In the past, I used anti-crack cream, but it never resolved the severe dryness. This winter, I accidentally tried soaking my hands and feet in leftover tea water mixed with hot water for about 10 minutes before bed. After a week of consistent use, 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 Western and Chinese creams provide temporary relief, they return when I get wet (washing clothes or dishes). Later, I tried applying vitamin E capsules to the affected areas, which worked wonderfully. The method is as follows: Pierce a vitamin E capsule with a needle, squeeze the oil onto the affected area (one capsule can be used multiple times). Apply it after washing your hands, and continue to apply it frequently after healing to prevent recurrence.
15. Honey Rub Treats Cracked Hands
Every morning after eating, wash and dry your hands. Apply honey to the palms, back of the hands, and nail gaps, and rub with a small towel for 5 to 10 minutes. Your hands will feel warm and comfortable. In the evening before bed, wash your hands again and repeat the honey rub. My hands used to crack painfully, like being cut by a knife, but this method has cured them.
16. Jujube Paste Treats Cracks
My wife’s hands and feet crack in winter. Hot water soaking and applying rubber bands or soft sleeves didn’t help. Chen Pingwen from Furen Street in Xicheng District shared her homemade remedy, which worked in just five days. The method is to remove the skin and seeds from several jujubes, wash them with warm water, and cook them into a paste. Apply it to the cracked areas like face cream. For mild cases, 2 to 3 applications are enough.
17. Apple Peels Treat Heel Cracks
Every winter, my heels crack, leaving deep wounds that are extremely painful and itchy. Recently, I rubbed the peels of apples I had (shā - cut) to cure the cracked areas on my heels. After rubbing three times, the cracks healed and the skin became smooth.
18. Banana Treats Cracked Skin
Choose a ripe banana with black skin, warm it near a fireplace, and apply it to the affected area, rubbing it for a while. This can promote the rapid healing of cracked skin.
19. Banana Peel Treats Cracks
I have had cracked feet for many years. Taping with adhesive or rubbing with pig fat didn’t work. Later, after hearing about using the inner part of banana peels, I persisted for 3 to 5 days, applying it once or twice a day, and it finally worked.
20. Orange Peel Treats Cracks
Apply fresh orange peel juice to the cracked areas of hands and feet. This will soften the hard skin and heal the cracks. Additionally, soaking hands and feet in water made from dried orange peels can achieve the same effect. However, it’s important to use it frequently, preferably for two consecutive weeks.