In this dry season (harmattan) many people experience cracked heels. This is because it is mostly caused by dry skin and this season makes the skin drier and prone to cracks.
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| A cracked heel |
The heel is the prominence on the posterior end of the foot. It is based at the projection of 1 bone, the calcaneus (the large bone forming the heel) or heel bone, in the back of the articulation of the bones of the lower leg.
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| Normal heel |
The compressive forces carried out to the foot are disbursed along five rays, 3 medial (facet of big toe) and lateral (aspect of little toe). The lateral rays stretch over the cuboid bone to the heel bone and the medial rays over the three cuneiform bones and the navicular bone to the ankle bone.
Because the ankle bone is located over the heel bone, these rays are adjacent near the feet however overriding close to the heel, and collectively they shape the arches of the foot that are optimized to disbursed compressive forces across an choppy terrain. In this context the heel accordingly forms the posterior factor of aid that collectively with the balls of the big and little feet undergo the brunt of the masses.
CRACKED HEEL is a not unusual health hassle and it could cause infections. It is as a result of dryness of the foot skin and accumulation of dead pores and skin. Over time it can reason pain and irritations. Various moisturising creams and foot documents are to be had to cure and prevent it.
WHAT CAUSES CRACKED HEELS?
The first sign of cracked heels is having regions of dry, thickened skin, which referred to as callouses, across the rim of your heel. As you walk, the fats pad under your heel expands. This makes your callouses to crack.
Other Things that cause cracked heels are:
Standing for longer hours
Walking around barefoot, or with open sandals
Taking long- warm showers
Using harsh soaps which could strip your skin of herbal oils
Shoes that don’t nicely or support your heels
Medical reasons
Diabetes are commonplace causes for dry pores and skin.
High blood sugar damage might also save you you from knowing your feet are dry, cracked, and painful.
Other situations that could result in dry skin and cracked heels are:
Diet deficiency (Abnormal dieting)
Fungal infection
Hypothyroidism
Atopic dermatitis
Juvenile plantar dermatosis
Psoriasis
Thickening on the soles and hands
Obesity
Pregnancy
In addition to having cracked heels, you can also have:
Flaky skin
Itching
Pain, in all likelihood intense
Bleeding
Purple, infected pores and skin
In excessive cases, you can broaden complications with a cracked heel, particularly if it’s caused by a clinical circumstance.
Complications can consist of:
Loss of feeling for your heel
Cellulitis
Diabetic foot ulcer
Symptoms of infection are: Ache, Warm temperature,Redness, and Swelling.
Call your doctor right away in case you suspect you have an infection
HOW TO TREAT CRACK HEELS AT HOME
1. APPLYING A HEEL BALM TO THE AFFECTED AREA
2. PUTTING YOUR FEET IN SOAPY WATER FOR UP TO 25 MINUTES.
This will eases pain and discomfort, reduce inflammation and antibacterial, then also Soothes pain from sprains and bruises‌. It will make the dry skin to be soft and also it strengthen immunity.
3. USE OF FOOT SCRUBBER, OR PUMICE STONE TO GET RID OF ANY HARD, THICK PORES AND SKIN.
It is the most convenient way to remove dead skin from your feet. It can be done either wet or dry and rinsing the stone after each use is necessary.
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| Pumice stone |
4. GENTLY PATTING YOUR FEET DRY.
After each soaking or wash its necessary for you to use clean towels to dry your feets.
5. APPLYING LESS PETROLEUM JELLY OVER YOUR TOES.
Applying a vaseline to the feet reduces friction and prevent the feet from blisters And also reduces dryness of the skin.
6. APPLYING COCONUTS OIL TO THE FEET.
Coconut oil works as a Natural Deodorant, it prevents bacterial and fungal infections, it improves good blood circulation and then reduces anxiety and stress.
7. APPLYING HONEY TO THE FEET.
Putting Honey in the night will make your leg heel faster. It softenes the skin and remove dryness.
8. PUTTING ON SOCKS
To avoid spreading any grease round you need to put on socks to your feet. The socks will keep your feet warm.
OTHERS INCLUDE:
VINEGAR
OLIVE OR VEGETABLE OIL
SHEA BUTTER
MASHED BANANAS
PARAFFIN WAX ETC
WAYS TO PREVENT YOUR HEELS FROM GETTING CRACKED
- Washing Your feet everyday with warm water
- Removing Your toenails
- Wearing of Good and supportive shoes
- Avoid walking barefooted on rough surfaces often
- Don’t be too hard on your feet
- Moisturising your feet regularly.
- Applying plain petroleum jelly before Bed