Cracked heels - World Class Holistic Homeopathy Treatment
SKIN – Cracked heels
Our skin is a good barometer which indicates how healthy the body is. Skin
acts as a covering and works as a defense force against infection. It protects
our body from heat or cold, external germs, noxious chemicals or toxins, etc.
The most common friction spots harden to give additional protection against
injury, whereas other parts remain soft. Dry parched skin indicates its
poor quality.
Cracks mean initial, partial break or interruptions in continuity. Cracks
are also medically termed as fissures. Fissures are regular linear cut wounds –
mostly superficial which involve epidermis. Sometimes it may get deep into the
dermis and become painful.
Cracks in the skin can arise anywhere in the body. The commonest site is
the rim of the heel and web of toes, which are the most frequently or
constantly used parts of our body. The cracks usually occur on the edges or at
the junction of two different types of skins, for example the rim of the heel,
corners of the mouth, lips, anus, nipple, webs of the fingers, ear folds, etc.
Skin problems cause physical and psychological stress
Incidences
Cracks in the heel or heel fissures are most commonly seen in older people
or persons who constantly walk barefoot. It can affect either both the heels or
one of the heel. But most commonly, it is seen on both the heels. Likewise,
fissures are more common with diseases like diabetes, eczema, psoriasis, etc.
Females suffer most commonly than males, “with more indulgence in water,
causing cracks”. But, unfortunately, people living in dry climates have higher
incidence than persons in wet regions.
Causes – The occurrence of cracks may be due to external
or internal factors. But dry skin or dryness is the prime cause.
External factors
·
Pressure and frequent movements
·
Standing for a long time
·
Change in walking posture
·
Summer heat
·
Over or constant indulgence in water
Unhygienic circumstances or conditions
Internal factors
·
Unhealthy, dry scaly skin due to climate or diseases
·
Thick dry scaly skin with loss of elasticity due to
ageing – cracks have higher incidence over age
·
Deformity of foot due to congenital problem or injury or
diseases – Flat foot, calcaneal spurs, etc
·
Diseases like diabetes, eczema and psoriasis can also
contribute to cracked feet
·
Deficiency of vitamins, minerals and zinc
Obese (everyone can notice cracks on an elephant’s foot due to overweight
and dryness)
Symptoms
Cracks in the rim of the heel or soles or web of toes are the main
symptoms. The length and width may vary depending upon the position and
pressure exerted. The edges of the cracks are usually raised as crusts and
resist healing. Other than fissures, mostly there won’t be any symptoms. But in
extreme cases, pain will be more with bleeding and restriction of movement.
Also, there will be pain in the cracks while walking or standing or touching
the part. Red raw part may show in some deep ulcers. Discharges can occur in
case of infection.
Preventive measures
Caring for skin
·
Keep soles clean
·
Wear soft, cushioned, comfortable shoes or slippers
·
Wear socks to prevent friction
·
Apply oil, if there is dryness
·
Take rich sources of vitamins – fruits, dates, leafy
vegetables etc.
Avoid
·
Walking bare foot
·
Tight shoes
·
Standing for a long time in water
·
Contact of bleaching powder or any other chemical
Using strong chemical soaps
Self management
is mainly for cushioning the skin to protect it from further damage
and for moisturising or lubricating to promote the healing process in a better
way.
Clean and keep it soft
·
Wash properly at bed time and make sure that sand or mud
particles are not present inside the cracks
Make it dry for 10-15 minutes and then apply moisturiser cream or vaseline
or oil, since immediate application of vaseline, after washing, will trap water
inside the cracks and won’t let them to dry speedily. Also water inside the
cracks can promote infection
Avoid for better healing
·
Sporting activities during the healing process
·
Barefoot walking to avoid mud getting into the cracks
·
Any friction or injury or chemical contact
·
Picking or peeling of skin since it may become red and
sore
·
Sour foods, non-veg, fast foods, oily foods
For better healing
·
Do skin scrapping to reduce the thickness of the skin
·
Soak the soles in lukewarm water for 10 minutes and scrap
mildly to reduce thickness. Some rub the foot against the floor or use stones
or scrubber or loofah (mesh from the vegetable) while bathing, with the same
result
·
Don’t be cruel in removing the thick skin to prevent
injury
Apply petroleum jelly or vaseline or parraffin oil after drying the area
Complications
Usually, there won’t be any
complications. But when the cracks are deep and sufferer is diabetic, then
there lies the danger of bleeding, infection and serious complications. So
cracks must be attended to in the initial period itself or otherwise it may
extend the damage to the internal organs of the body like the crack in a
building ruining the whole structure when left un-repaired. Also it is often
noticed that suppressing the cracked heels with steroidal ointments will lead
to respiratory or asthma complaints. The relationship is not clearly known.
General treatment
In Allopathy, mostly internal medicines are not prescribed. Only in
extremely painful deep cracks, antibiotics are used to control the infection.
But the course of antibiotics often manages the situation temporarily and the
cracks recur once you stop the medicines. External applications like germicidal
or bactericidal or antiseptic or steroids are also commonly prescribed. These
applications also clear the complaint very temporarily i.e. while in use.
Vaseline or liquid paraffin is commonly advised for moisturising.
Homeopathic approach
Treating any skin disorder is very tough, since it is the outermost part of
the body and also often exposed to irritants or pollutants or frictions, which
hinder the action of drugs. Also, recurrence is common in most skin disorders,
giving no exception for cracks too. Usually, external treatment won’t cure any
complaints. So it is better to avoid topical medicinal applications except
moisturiser, since ointments or creams will suppress the complaints for the
time of use only. Also, if they are used continuously, due to development of
drug resistance, the condition may worsen.
Homoeopathic treatment believes in internal treatment and can give
permanent cure to cracks. In Homeopathy, cracks are considered as an outburst
of an internal disease, which should be treated internally. So, the
internal Homoeopathy medicine is often the best natural option to stop
recurrence of cracks by raising natural resistance and treating dry skin
without any side-effects. This roots out the cause and disease. The right drug
selected constitutionally may take some time to act, but once it has started
its action, it rides in smooth top gear in the right direction of cure, for
resolving the cracks and to control recurrence.
Homeopathic medicines commonly used in cases of cracks or fissures are Acid
nit, Antim-crud, Apis mel, Ars alb, Bacillinum, Borax, Carbo animalis,
Graphites, Hepar sulph, Hydrocotyle, Kali ars, Kali bich, Kali Brom, Lachesis,
Lycopodium, Medorrhinum, Merc sol, Nat mur, Opium, Petroleum, Psorinum,
Pulsatilla, Pyrogen, Ranunculosis bulbosis, Rhus tox, Silicea, Sulphur, Thuja,
Tuberculinum, etc.. These Medicines should be taken under the advice and
diagnosis of a qualified Homeopath.
for new hope
Dr. S.
Chidambaranathan, BHMS, MD (Homeo)
Laxmi
Homeo Clinic
24 E.
New Mahalipatti Road
Madurai,
TN 625 001
India
Tel: +91-452-233-8833 | +91-984-319-1011
(Mob)
Fax:
+91-452-233-0196
E-mail:
drcheena@yahoo.com
www.drcheena.com / www.drcheena.in
(Disclaimer
- The contents of this column are for informational purpose only. The content
is not intended to be a substitute for professional healthcare advice,
diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of healthcare professional for
any health problem or medical condition.)