Ways to heal your cracked heel

MANILA, Philippines - Xerosis, or dry skin, is most commonly manifested on the pads of the feet, particularly at the rim of the heel and web of the toes. Because the feet is constantly used, the condition known as feet fissures or cracked heels often occur.

Characterized by dry skin that leads to the splitting of the epidermis, feet fissures appear as fine linear cracks on one’s sole which could soon feel itchy and painful, especially when the affected skin expands due to the pressure put up by one’s body weight.

Different factors contribute to the cause of having cracked heels, but among the main reasons are the cold and dry weather, lack of feet moisturizing, excessive exposure to hot water, the use of dry soap, and aging.

While cracked heels may not be considered a serious condition, it entails major discomfort among those who have it.

Medical experts at the Mayo Clinic add that having cracked heels can even lead to psychological distress. But fret not, because one can cure this common foot problem with these easy remedies.

• Soak your feet in lemon juice. After cleansing, allot 10 minutes of your time to soak your feet on a basin of lemon juice. With the natural acid elements of lemons, dipping your feet in its juice form will help eliminate dead and dry skin.

Do this twice weekly, depending on the severity of your cracked heels. If lemons are not available in your area, a good alternative is a solution of warm water with honey.

• Scrub the soles with a pumice stone. Pumice stones serve as the simplest remedy for cracked soles. Prepare a bath or basin with warm water and liquid soap before immersing your feet in. Soak the pumice stone with soapy water and scrub one foot at a time. Occasionally rinse the stone to get rid of dead skin. By rubbing the pumice stone around the balls and heels of your feet, the hard and calloused skin will be eliminated. Repeat the whole process as necessary.

• Resort to gentle cleansers. Restock your toiletries with gentler soaps. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the contents of some soap can get rid of the skin’s natural oil. Replace those commonly used antibacterial and perfumed soap with one that is fragrance-free. Also avoid using alcohol-based skin care products such as hand sanitizers.

• Apply foot creams. There are various foot creams that can be bought at drugstores today. Experts at the Mayo Clinic say moisturizers treat dry skin and prevent it from coming back.

For better results in healing and moisturizing cracked heels, use Ellgy Plus Cracked Heel Cream.

Extracts rich in omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants found in the medicinal plant Portulaca, which strengthen the epidermal layer of the skin, and Saccharide Isomerate that acts as a water magnet to bind in the moisture in the skin even at low humidities give the Ellgy Plus Cracked Heel Cream a longer moisturizing effect compared to the common moisturizer, which results in faster healing.

Exclusively distributed by New Marketlink Pharmaceutical Corp., the Ellgy Plus Cracked Heel Cream is available in all Mercury Drug outlets in Metro Manila. For more information, call the NMPC hotline number at (02) 480-42-07.