A heel spur (plantar fasciitis) occurs as a result of deformation of the heel bone with the formation of a sharp spine (osteophyte), which injures the surrounding tissue. As a result, swelling, inflammation and severe pain occur in them.
Most often, this unpleasant disease comes with age - with chronic diseases of large joints and the spine (arthritis, osteochondrosis, gout), the load on the feet increases and, as a compensatory reaction, growths, including osteophytes, form on the heel bone. Also, the appearance of “spurs” is facilitated by excess weight, flat feet, spinal injuries, and prolonged stress in the heel area, for example in athletes.
Heel spurs can be completely removed through surgery. But, this method is resorted to in advanced cases. Conservative therapy is aimed at eliminating inflammation of soft tissues and relieving pain.
In addition to physiotherapy, various ointments, compresses, and baths prepared according to traditional medicine recipes cope well with this task. Very often the main components in them are egg and vinegar.
Features of treating heel spurs with vinegar and egg
A heel spur is a degenerative-inflammatory pathology in the heel area. In official medical terminology it is called plantar fasciitis. The disease is characterized by inflammation of the plantar fascia with subsequent formation of bone spurs. The main clinical symptom is sharp pain in the heel, which intensifies after prolonged rest (in the morning) or exercise.
The disease mainly affects women after 40 years of age. The reason lies in the increased stress on the foot when playing sports, constantly wearing uncomfortable and high-heeled shoes.
The risk of developing the disease increases:
- excess weight;
- arthritis and arthrosis;
- gout;
- flat feet;
- problems with the spine and blood circulation.
Heel spur is a chronic disease.
Treatment is usually conservative; if osteophytes become severely overgrown, surgery is required. A good alternative method is a vinegar and egg based solution. Recipes with these simple ingredients help to cope with discomfort while walking and avoid surgery. The medicine, if used correctly, is relatively safe and highly effective.
Product effectiveness
Vinegar and egg for heel spurs is a popular remedy among people. Long-term practice of use has proven that it helps:
- reduce the intensity of inflammation in tissues;
- reduce pain;
- improve joint mobility;
- facilitate movement, particularly in the morning;
- prevent acute relapses of the disease.
Some people believe that acetic acid can soften bone growths on the heel. Doctors deny this fact, but agree that the remedy is quite suitable for reducing painful symptoms. It is not able to completely cure the disease, but it can significantly alleviate the condition and increase physical activity. It is important to coordinate the use of home remedies with a doctor and adhere to complex therapy.
A popular remedy for heel spurs is vinegar and egg.
Recipes for folk remedies for foot spurs with egg and vinegar
There are many options for vinegar medicine for inflammation of the plantar fascia. We offer several of the most popular ones, which, according to reviews, have earned the highest ratings. A sensitivity test should be performed before using any of them.
Heel ointment based on animal fat
A gentle product for sensitive skin is made from table vinegar. It copes well with moderate pain and inflammatory manifestations.
The preparation is as follows:
- a raw chicken egg is placed in a half-liter jar;
- pour 6% or 9% vinegar so that it is covered;
- if unopened, it can be stored for 7 days in the dark;
- the white and yolk (the shell is partially dissolved) are mixed with the liquid;
- add 100 g of interior fat (preferably badger, pork can be used);
- the mixture is thoroughly beaten.
The procedure is quite simple: before going to bed, apply a thin layer of ointment to the heel area, tie with a piece of clean cloth, leave until the morning, use for 5-7 days. The low concentration of vinegar eliminates unpleasant sensations.
Table vinegar is used to make a gentle product for sensitive skin
Recipe for heel spurs with egg, oil and vinegar
The classic recipe for vinegar medicine contains butter and 70% vinegar concentrate. Cooking method:
- Place the egg in the jar as in the first remedy;
- pour approximately 100-120 g of essence;
- leave until the shell dissolves for 3-5 days;
- remove the film formed in its place;
- mix the contents well into a homogeneous mass;
- add 200 g of melted butter;
- beat everything into a thick mass;
- place on a gauze bandage and make a compress on the heel;
- wrap with film and cover with a warm blanket.
A compress for heel spurs with vinegar, egg and oil, if there is no burning, is done at night. Some discomfort may be present due to the high concentration of acid. In this case, the duration of the procedure is 1-2 hours every day until you feel better.
Mustard compress
A folk remedy based on mustard has a deep warming effect. To prepare the medicinal mixture you will need:
A folk remedy based on mustard has a deep warming effect.
- 25 g dry mustard powder;
- 25 ml vegetable (olive or sunflower) oil;
- 25 ml 70% vinegar;
- 2 chicken yolks.
Recipe for heel spurs: pour acetic acid into the egg and blend with all the other ingredients in a blender. Leave for half an hour in the refrigerator. Apply the prepared ointment to the heel with light massage movements, rubbing in a little. Wrap with a bandage folded in several layers, put on woolen socks. Keep the compress on your leg for no more than half an hour. Then rinse with warm running water and apply moisturizer.
Severe burning and pain are indications for refusing such a procedure. For sensitive skin, an alternative is to use apple cider vinegar rather than concentrated essence. The therapeutic course is no more than 2 weeks.
Recipe with boiled eggs
In the home treatment of fasciitis, you can use boiled chicken eggs. The product is quite original and effective. Patients say that after two procedures, significant relief occurs, acute pain disappears, and it is easier to step on the heel.
Prepare the egg cream like this:
- 5 chicken eggs are boiled until tender (8-10 minutes);
- the yolks are separated from the whites and placed in a small heat-resistant bowl;
- mashed into a homogeneous mass, bake in the oven for 40 minutes at low heat;
- cooled yolks are poured with 2.5 tbsp. spoons of vinegar essence or 500 ml of 9% vinegar;
- The ingredients are mixed well into a homogeneous thick ointment.
The procedure with boiled yolks is similar to the previous ones - you can apply it directly to the foot or make a compress before bed.
Boiled chicken eggs are a rather original and effective remedy.
Vinegar-egg ointment with baby cream
Acetic acid works well against inflammation and joint pain, but it has a strong irritant effect. Therefore, baby cream is sometimes added to the standard recipe for heel spurs. It softens the aggressive effect of vinegar and moisturizes the skin.
Preparing the product is very simple:
- a small tube of any baby cream is squeezed into a jar;
- add one raw egg and 1 tbsp. l. vinegar essence;
- the components are thoroughly mixed;
- The finished ointment is stored in the refrigerator.
The sore heel is rubbed with the mixture, covered with cellophane, insulated with a sock, and left overnight. 4-5 procedures are enough to achieve a positive result and improve your well-being. You can increase the effectiveness of the product if you first steam your foot in warm water with the addition of essential oils.
Foot baths
Water procedures relieve symptoms of inflammation, consolidate the results and prevent relapses of painful heel pain.
Prepare a bath from:
- medical alcohol (96%) – 200 ml;
- sea salt – 150 g;
- vinegar (9% table) – 100 ml;
- egg yolks – 2 pcs.
We do the following:
- Beat the yolks, add alcohol and vinegar, mix.
- We keep the container with the ingredients in the refrigerator for one day.
- Dilute the mixture in not very hot water (in a ratio of 1:4).
- Add sea salt.
- We immerse our feet in the bath and hold until the vinegar-alcohol mixture cools down.
- We put on woolen socks and wrap our feet in a warm blanket.
We do this procedure every day before going to bed. Recovery will occur in one and a half to two weeks.
Rules for treating heel spurs with folk remedies with vinegar and egg
The therapeutic effect of folk recipes depends on the correctness of the procedure. During treatment, you must adhere to important rules:
- use all ingredients fresh, and wash the eggs well;
- apply ointment and apply a compress to clean and dry skin;
- pre-warm the ankle with light massage movements or foot baths to increase tissue permeability;
- It is advisable to insulate the leg with a woolen sock or wrap it with a warm scarf;
- burning and discomfort cannot be ignored to avoid burns;
- After removing the bandage, wash the foot under running water and, if necessary, lubricate it with a moisturizer.
The therapeutic effect of folk recipes depends on the correctness of the procedure.
You must first consult with your doctor about the advisability of such treatment and its compatibility with the main therapy.
How to get rid of rough skin at home
You can entrust the removal of rough skin to a professional or do it yourself at home. In the second case, you will need the following tools:
- Abrasive file for feet : roller or standard fine-grained grater.
- Scrub : We recommend natural salt-based scrubs, as they have an anti-inflammatory and restorative effect, while simultaneously cleansing and softening the skin.
- Moisturizing or nourishing foot cream : pay attention to products with aloe, panthenol, shea butter and shea butter.
- Foot bath : salt and oils in the bath take care of the skin, relieve fatigue and swelling, promote the healing of calluses, and also prepare the feet for exfoliation.
- Moisturizing socks or foot mask : an optional but very pleasant foot care product that moisturizes and softens calluses.
To summarize, we can distinguish 5 main stages of caring for rough skin on the feet.
Contraindications and adverse reactions
Use any vinegar-based home remedies with caution. In addition, such treatment is contraindicated if:
- hypersensitivity to the composition of the drug;
- skin allergies;
- wounds, abrasions, damage, cracks, at the site of ointment application.
It is important to strictly adhere to the recommended dosage and not perform more than one procedure per day. Otherwise, negative reactions cannot be ruled out. Long-term use may cause redness and flaking of the skin. In such a situation, you should take a break until the skin is completely restored. Failure to follow the rules and recommendations can result in serious burns.
When used correctly, heel spur remedies with vinegar and egg are completely safe.
Possible analogues
Other remedies are also used to combat cracked heels. These include both traditional and medicinal ones.
Read more about these methods of dealing with the problem:
Author's note
Vanin Timofey
To choose the best option, it is recommended that before use you read the reviews of other people about the use of a particular product.
| Means | What is he doing |
| Hydrogen peroxide | Treatment of cracks using lotions and peroxide baths |
| Paraffin | Used to treat deep wounds |
| Badger fat | Treatment of cracks, burns and other damage to the skin |
| Honey | Softening effect |
Important Tips
Folk remedies help with heel spurs and accompanying pain. But it is impossible to completely cure the pathology without an integrated approach.
To eliminate inflammation and soften bone compaction, experts recommend using:
- physiotherapy (mud and paraffin therapy, mineral baths, ultrasound, shock wave and laser therapy, electrophoresis);
- orthopedic devices (special insoles, heel pads, orthoses);
- massage treatments;
- corticosteroid injections and radiotherapy (for severe pain and large osteophytes);
- physical therapy.
A positive result is achieved thanks to simple preventive measures:
- excess weight control;
- maintaining an active lifestyle;
- correct distribution of loads on the lower limbs;
- use of special devices when playing sports;
- timely treatment of arthropathies, injuries, pathologies of the spinal column;
- giving up bad habits (alcohol, smoking) and unhealthy diet (fast food, sausages, processed foods, sweets);
- regular preventive examinations by an orthopedist, especially if there is a genetic predisposition to joint problems.
Heel spur is an insidious disease. It may not bother you for many years, but then suddenly manifest itself as inflammation and severe pain. Therefore, the disease requires constant monitoring and increased attention. Correctly selected folk treatment in combination with conservative methods will help get rid of excruciating pain and maintain activity.