Cracked Heels
Cracked heels are a sign of lack of attention to foot care rather than just over exposure or lack of moisturizing. As the skin, surrounding the sides of the feet are dry they crack and cause cracked heels. Appearances of cracked heels also indicate zinc and omega-3 fatty acid deficiency.
Cracked heels are a common occurrence for senior citizens or people who are constantly on their feet thus exerting pressure on the feet pad. It can affect either both the heels or one of the heel. But most commonly, cracked heels affect both the feet.
Causes
1.Naturally dry skin or thick dry skin around the heel that is more likely to crack is often due to excessive feet activity.
2.Prolonged standing at work or home .Hard floors may also cause cracks in the feet.
3.Being overweight may increase the pressure on the normal fat pad under the heel, causing it to expand sideways and if the skin lacks flexibility the pressure on the feet lead to cracked heels.
4.Back-open sandals or shoes allow the fat under the heel to expand sideways and increases the possibility of cracks on the heels.
5.Disease and Disorders-Athlete�s foot, Psoriasis, Eczema, Thyroid disease, Diabetes and some other skin conditions may also cause cracked heels.
6.Thick dry scaly skin lose elasticity with age and thus cracks have higher incidence with age.
7.Ill fitting shoes, or change in walking posture.
8.Unhygienic circumstances or conditions
9.Unhealthy, dry scaly skin due to climate or diseases
10.Deficiency of vitamins, minerals and zinc.
Remedies
1.Soak the feet in lemon juice for about 10 minutes. Follow this therapy on a weekly basis until one finds a change.
2.Apply the pulp of a ripe banana on the dry or cracked area of the heel. Leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse it clean.
3.A regular application of a mixture of glycerin and rosewater is known to soothe and cure cracked heels.
4.It is essential to have a diet rich in vitamins, minerals and zinc. Omega-3 fatty acids are not naturally produced by the body, therefore it has to be ingested from food or supplements.
5.Apply any shortening or hydrogenated vegetable oil after washing the feet clean on dry and cracked areas of the feet. After applying a thick coat of shortening on the feet, wear a pair of thick socks.
6.Use mild soap and wash your feet gently with lukewarm water. Scrub it lightly using a pumice stone and remove the dead skin. Apply any vegetable oil to the cracked area and wear thick cotton socks.
7.Rub (one teaspoon Vaseline and the juice of one lemon)this mixture onto the cracked heels and other required areas of the feet till it is thoroughly absorbed.
8.Soak your feet in warm water for at least 10-15 minutes before going to bed. Massage it with mustard oil and wash it in the morning.
9.Apply oil based moisturizer on your feet, twice daily if possible.
10.Pamper your feet by giving it a pedicure either at home or at a parlor. If you are too lazy to go to the parlor wash your feet in sea salt water and scrub it.
Causes
1.Naturally dry skin or thick dry skin around the heel that is more likely to crack is often due to excessive feet activity.
2.Prolonged standing at work or home .Hard floors may also cause cracks in the feet.
3.Being overweight may increase the pressure on the normal fat pad under the heel, causing it to expand sideways and if the skin lacks flexibility the pressure on the feet lead to cracked heels.
4.Back-open sandals or shoes allow the fat under the heel to expand sideways and increases the possibility of cracks on the heels.
5.Disease and Disorders-Athlete�s foot, Psoriasis, Eczema, Thyroid disease, Diabetes and some other skin conditions may also cause cracked heels.
6.Thick dry scaly skin lose elasticity with age and thus cracks have higher incidence with age.
7.Ill fitting shoes, or change in walking posture.
8.Unhygienic circumstances or conditions
9.Unhealthy, dry scaly skin due to climate or diseases
10.Deficiency of vitamins, minerals and zinc.
Remedies
1.Soak the feet in lemon juice for about 10 minutes. Follow this therapy on a weekly basis until one finds a change.
2.Apply the pulp of a ripe banana on the dry or cracked area of the heel. Leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse it clean.
3.A regular application of a mixture of glycerin and rosewater is known to soothe and cure cracked heels.
4.It is essential to have a diet rich in vitamins, minerals and zinc. Omega-3 fatty acids are not naturally produced by the body, therefore it has to be ingested from food or supplements.
5.Apply any shortening or hydrogenated vegetable oil after washing the feet clean on dry and cracked areas of the feet. After applying a thick coat of shortening on the feet, wear a pair of thick socks.
6.Use mild soap and wash your feet gently with lukewarm water. Scrub it lightly using a pumice stone and remove the dead skin. Apply any vegetable oil to the cracked area and wear thick cotton socks.
7.Rub (one teaspoon Vaseline and the juice of one lemon)this mixture onto the cracked heels and other required areas of the feet till it is thoroughly absorbed.
8.Soak your feet in warm water for at least 10-15 minutes before going to bed. Massage it with mustard oil and wash it in the morning.
9.Apply oil based moisturizer on your feet, twice daily if possible.
10.Pamper your feet by giving it a pedicure either at home or at a parlor. If you are too lazy to go to the parlor wash your feet in sea salt water and scrub it.
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