Treat cracked heels with foot massage, moisturisers
PRISKA has been unable to wear trendy open shoes for years due to fear to expose her cracked heels. Cracked heels or fissures are caused by dry skin, especially around the rim of the heel. When the cracks are deep, they may bleed and become painful as well as get infected.
By Lindah Niwenyesiga
PRISKA has been unable to wear trendy open shoes for years due to fear to expose her cracked heels. Cracked heels or fissures are caused by dry skin, especially around the rim of the heel. When the cracks are deep, they may bleed and become painful as well as get infected.
Wearing thin-soled shoes may make the symptoms worse. The thick callus on the border of the heel is more likely to crack due to mechanical factors that increase pressure in that area.
According to health experts, conditions like autonomic neuropathy in people with diabetes, may cause cracked heels. The condition leads to less sweating, causing dry skin.
Being overweight also increases pressure on the fat pad under the heel, causing it to expand sideways. The pressure forces the skin to crack.
Walking bare foot for long distances, dry and cold weather may also worsen the problem.
One can also get cracked heels due to deficiency in zinc and omega-3 fatty acids.
Sam Kyobe of Joyva Herbal Research Centre in Kampala, says most people with cracked heels are found in slums. Such areas are always dirty, with stagnant water and uncemented houses.
Treatment of cracked heels begins with foot care.
Health officials suggest routine cleaning and moisturising. Soak the feet in warm, soapy water for about 15 minutes, then rinse and dry them. Mix one teaspoon vaseline with one lemon juice. Rub the mixture onto the cracks and leave it for some time.
This can be done daily until noticeable results are obtained. A regular foot bath and massage helps keep the skin on the heels soft and healthy.
Kyobe says one can also melt paraffin wax and mix it with mustard oil. Apply on the cracked area and leave overnight. This should be done for about 10 to 15 days.
Herbal soaps and jelly, Kyobe says, can also be used to keep the feet soft.
Since cracked heels are caused by deficiency of zinc, vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids and minerals, experts advise patients to have a diet rich in zinc, vitamins and minerals. One can get zinc from chicken, brown rice, spaghetti and yogurt.
Vitamin E can be got from wheat, whole nuts, vegetable oils, cereals and green vegetables, while Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish, flax seed, minerals (iron and calcium) from meat, chicken, fish, yogurt and cheese.
PRISKA has been unable to wear trendy open shoes for years due to fear to expose her cracked heels. Cracked heels or fissures are caused by dry skin, especially around the rim of the heel. When the cracks are deep, they may bleed and become painful as well as get infected.
Wearing thin-soled shoes may make the symptoms worse. The thick callus on the border of the heel is more likely to crack due to mechanical factors that increase pressure in that area.
According to health experts, conditions like autonomic neuropathy in people with diabetes, may cause cracked heels. The condition leads to less sweating, causing dry skin.
Being overweight also increases pressure on the fat pad under the heel, causing it to expand sideways. The pressure forces the skin to crack.
Walking bare foot for long distances, dry and cold weather may also worsen the problem.
One can also get cracked heels due to deficiency in zinc and omega-3 fatty acids.
Sam Kyobe of Joyva Herbal Research Centre in Kampala, says most people with cracked heels are found in slums. Such areas are always dirty, with stagnant water and uncemented houses.
Treatment of cracked heels begins with foot care.
Health officials suggest routine cleaning and moisturising. Soak the feet in warm, soapy water for about 15 minutes, then rinse and dry them. Mix one teaspoon vaseline with one lemon juice. Rub the mixture onto the cracks and leave it for some time.
This can be done daily until noticeable results are obtained. A regular foot bath and massage helps keep the skin on the heels soft and healthy.
Kyobe says one can also melt paraffin wax and mix it with mustard oil. Apply on the cracked area and leave overnight. This should be done for about 10 to 15 days.
Herbal soaps and jelly, Kyobe says, can also be used to keep the feet soft.
Since cracked heels are caused by deficiency of zinc, vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids and minerals, experts advise patients to have a diet rich in zinc, vitamins and minerals. One can get zinc from chicken, brown rice, spaghetti and yogurt.
Vitamin E can be got from wheat, whole nuts, vegetable oils, cereals and green vegetables, while Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish, flax seed, minerals (iron and calcium) from meat, chicken, fish, yogurt and cheese.