cracking the heel problem

CRACKING THE HEEL PROBLEM

BEAUTIFUL FEET START WITH A HEALTHY SOLE AND THAT REQUIRES CARE AND ATTENTION

OUR FEET, being at the lowest end of the body, tends to be ignored compared to other body parts like the face and hands. Add to that the stress placed on them by the latest shoe designs that seem to opt for high open-heeled cuts, and our poor feet are literally crying out for attention.

The heels especially tend to become dry and thick with a hard pad of skin. In extreme cases, this thick pad splits or cracks into ridges that cut deep into the sole of the feet. These cracks are not only unsightly it but can be extremely painful as well if bleeding occurs.

People have been known to use all kinds of things to treat cracked heels, from cooking oil to toothpaste, olive oil, common body cream or lotion, antiseptic cream, glycerin and even folk remedies using urea. Some people have resorted to more drastic measures such as cutting off the hardened skin or scrubbing it off with a pumice stone.

Unfortunately, all this scrubbing and cutting only make matters worse as the body's normal defense mechanism is to harden the part at the point stress, in this case, the heel. Hence, the part of the heel that has been cut or scrubbed will only grow thicker. Cracked heels is an age-old problem. And the least painful way of dealing with it is to use a moisturiser that works.

It is important to choose the correct type of moisturiser for the heels because not all moisturising agents can treat dry or cracked heels effectively. Common ingredients found in most moisturisers in the market contain ingredients such as urea, lanolin, glycerin and the likes, which could worsen dry and cracked heel conditions.

As opposed to moisturising the foot, these ingredients when applied to a dry environment actually draw moisture away from the skin. Hence, when you apply more in the hope that it will heal your cracked heels, it will actually worsen the condition; the skin becomes drier and cracks more. Ellgy Plus is an innovative product created specifically to treat dry, cracked heels. It contains two very effective, natural ingredients - portulaca extract, a plant extract with essential fatty acids; and saccharide isomerate, a naturally-occurring carbohydrate complex.

Saccharide isomerate acts like a water magnet to retain the moisture underneath the skin whereas portulaca extract the epidermal lipid layer sealing in moisture. Applying Ellgy Plus daily on the heels will provide an intensive moisturising layer that will help prevent further cracking and promote wound healing.

THE DANGER UNDERFOOT

WHEN it comes to the feet, it is important especially for diabetics to protect them and keep them moisturised all the time. Cuts and splits on the foot could be especially dangerous to diabetics. This is because many diabetics suffer some degree of nerve damage. This shows up as numbness or tingling in the feet or hands.

As a result, they may not feel pain well, so any sore can get worse and become infected. This is especially true of the sole and heel of the foot since many people tend not to notice this part of their body. Diabetics are also at greater risk for infection and death from infections. Their body's inability to synthesise sugar (glucose) in the blood because of the lack or absence of insulin makes it harder for their body to fight infections.

The high glucose content in their blood also causes poor blood circulation which hinders the healing process. Once cuts or cracks on the skin appear, especially at the heel area, it takes a longer time to heal compared with a normal person due to the poor blood circulation. There is also the higher risk of infection if the heel is not treated properly and complications can lead to gangrene, which in some cases, will result in amputation of the affected area.

Hence, it is important for diabetics to keep their feet moisturised all the time to prevent the skin from drying and splitting.

Foot care

Besides adhering to a strict diet and having the right amount of exercise, it is important for diabetes patients to look after their feet as part of their regular feet care regimen.

These include:

» washing their feet daily with a mild soap;

» drying them properly, especially between the toes, with a clean towel;

» refraining from using any sharp implements that can cut the feet;

» applying moisturisers such as Ellgy Plus daily on the feet to maintain moisture and prevent dryness; and

» drying and cleaning any cuts and wounds properly and immediately. Apply antiseptic on them if and when necessary.