It is summer and time to go to the back of your cupboard and haul out all your flip-flops and pretty sandals. You paint your toe nails the latest shade of red, slide your feet into that dainty pair of footwear, look at your beautiful summer feet in the mirror and….urgh, ugly cracked skin on your heels!

Some people are lucky to have soft feet that don’t need much care, but for the majority of us cracked heels, also known as fissures, is a remarkably common foot condition. Many of us have a tendency towards dryness, cracking and scaling in both summer and winter. Luckily this unsightly condition isn’t harmful and can easily be rectified. You spend hours thinking of the perfect dress and make-up ,so before giving your feet more “bare-time” and dusting off those strappy sandals, make sure that your feet are well groomed; it’s not as complicated as you think.

Your feet will show the following signs indicating a desperate need for TLC:

• Red or flaky patches.
• Peeling and cracked skin.
• Itchy skin.
• Bleeding or discharge from cracks.

What causes cracked heels?

• Naturally dry or thick skin.
• Standing for long periods of time.
• Being overweight. The pressure on the normal fat pad under the heel will cause the skin to expand sideways and if the skin lacks flexibility, it will lead to cracked heels.
• Open shoes or sandals.
• Walking barefoot.
• Diseases and disorders – Athlete’s foot, Psoriasis, Eczema, Thyroid disease, Diabetes.
• Deficiency of vitamins, minerals and zinc.

Many crack heel repair creams on the market contain chemicals that can aggravate your skin and increase discomfort. So, pamper them silly at home by making your own products!

Here’s how:

Exfoliate every 3 – 4 days

• Use a mixture of olive oil and sugar to get rid of dead skin and reveal healthy, beautiful feet.
• Soak your feet in lemon juice for 10 minutes at least once a week. Lemon juice is a mild natural acid and helps to dissolve dry skin. Lightly scrub your feet with a loofa or a pumice stone afterwards to remove dead skin that cause cracked heels. Avoid razors and callus scrapers which can break the skin and cause infection.
• Apply the pulp of a ripe banana on the dry or cracked heel. Leave it for 10 minutes and rinse. This is a remedy that can be used on a daily basis to treat dry and cracked heels. Half an avocado or the flesh of half a coconut could also be added. Avos and coconuts are rich in essential oils and soluble vitamins.
• Soak your feet in warm soapy water and pat dry. Apply 1 teaspoon of Vaseline and the juice of 1 lemon on the dry area and pull on a pair of socks. The oils in this mixture will soften dry heels.
• Regular application of rosewater and glycerine will sooth and cure cracked heels.

Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise!

Take care of your feet during the summer months and look fabulous. If you suffer from repeated episodes of severe cracked heels, it might be a good idea to consult with your doctor.

The information on Fedhealth Medical Aid is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.

Source: www.facebook.com, www.empowher.com, www.rapidhomeremedies.com, www.naturalhealth.com, www.bollywoodshaadis.com

DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.