Contents
Cracks in the foot
Foot cracks, which often appear in the heel area, are one of the common problems that cause the sufferer to feel discomfort or even pain if the cracks are deep, and the pain appears clearly when the victim stands for a while, and in fact the foot cracks often result due to dry skin , and is usually accompanied by By increasing the thickness of the skin. Often, the unwanted appearance of the heel is the only problem that sufferers of fissured feet suffer, but in some severe cases these fissures may become infected. It is worth noting that women are more prone to cracked feet compared to men. The patient is advised to see a doctor if he suffers from pain, redness, swelling, or severe pain in any area of ??the foot for more than a few days. [1]A fissured foot may result in the patient suffering from some complications, especially if it is caused by a health problem. These complications include loss of feeling in the heel, cellulitis, and diabetic foot ulcers . [2]
Cracked foot treatment
Home remedies
There are many home remedies that can be used to control and treat heel cracks, but it is worth noting the need to see a doctor who specializes in treating foot problems in case the cracks in the foot are caused by a disease or health conditions, as well as in cases where the cracks are severe and may It has reached advanced stages, in order to prevent complications and worsen the problem. It is home remedies that utilized in most cases is simple due to suffering from health problems include: [2]
- Soak the feet with water: The skin around the cracked side of the foot is often dry and thick, so soaking the feet in warm soapy water helps soften the feet, making it easier to remove the thickened skin.
- Use a pumice stone or a bath loofah to scrub the feet after they have been soaked to help remove thick, cracked skin.
- Moisturizing the skin with a foot moisturizer: The use of foot moisturizers is the first line of treatment in cases of cracked feet, because of its role in moisturizing the skin, softening it, and getting rid of dead and hard skin, and foot moisturizers can contain urea, or acids Alpha-hydroxy acids, or others.
- Honey: Works honey as a natural remedy for the cracks of the feet, and has anti-microbial properties , including bacteria, can help to heal and disinfect wounds, and moisturizing the skin.
- Coconut oil is characterized by coconut oil anti-inflammatory characteristics and microbes, it also helps the skin to retain moisture, and is therefore recommended for use in cases of dry skin, eczema and psoriasis.
- Other home remedies: There are many other home remedies that can be used in cases of cracked feet, although there is no evidence to support their use specifically in treating cracked feet, including vinegar to soak the feet, olive oil, shea butter or mashed bananas to moisturize the feet, Paraffin wax to retain moisture in the feet, and oatmeal mixed with oil to exfoliate the feet.
Medicines treatment
Some topical treatment options can be used in cases of cracked feet, such as Salicylic Acid, which comes in several pharmaceutical forms including creams, gels, and adhesive strips, and may be sold as a liquid solution with a dropper. Topical salicylic acid dissolves keratin, which causes the skin of the feet to thicken and crack, and the dead tissue can be removed after the drug dries. One of the things that should be noted is the need to be careful when using topical salicylic acid because it can irritate the surrounding skin areas, and therefore it should not be touched to areas that do not suffer from cracks, and it should be noted that this acid is sold in different concentrations, and the desired results can be obtained faster if Higher doses have been used, but higher doses of this acid require a prescription. [3] [4]
Causes of cracked feet
Heel cracks occur because the skin loses its moisture, and there are many factors and conditions that cause the skin to lose moisture and become dehydrated, including the following: [2] [5]
- Standing for long periods of time, especially if the person is obese; As the extra weight puts additional pressure on the heel of the foot, it exposes the dry skin, if any, to the risk of cracking.
- Walk the person barefoot, or wear shoes that do not cover the entire heel, or shoes that are ill-fitting.
- Showers with very hot water for a long time.
- Dehydration, or not drinking enough fluids.
- Not using foot moisturizers.
- Some weather changes such as low temperatures or humidity levels.
- Use harsh soaps that can strip the skin of its natural oils.
- Health problems such as diabetes; As the high level of blood sugar and lack of control may cause damage to the nerves, and therefore the patient may suffer from dry skin and thus increase the likelihood of cracking, and it should be noted that people with diabetes have a higher risk of infection of their cracks in the feet than in unhealthy conditions, and from conditions other health that cause the occurrence of cracks heel foot vitamin deficiency, and fungal infections, and hypothyroidism, and atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis, pregnancy, and aging.
References
- ↑ "Six fixes for cracked heels" , www.medicalnewstoday.com , Retrieved 13-1-2018. Edited.
- ^ A b t "How To To the Fix Cracked Heels At Menu Home" , Www.healthline.com , Retrieved 13-1-2018. Edited.
- ↑ "All about corns and calluses" , www.medicalnewstoday.com , Retrieved December 29 , 2017 . Edited.
- ↑ "Cracked Heels: stop them in their tracks" , www.bpac.org.nz , Retrieved 29-12-2017. Edited.
- ↑ "Cracked Heels" , www.everydayhealth.com , Retrieved 13-1-2018. Edited.
