Cracked Heels

Most foot problems arise due to neglect and oversight. Cracked feet, corns and other common ailments should be attended to and nipped in the bud. A few suggestions to deal with them..

This is one of the most common and embarrassing problems. Cracked heels are the first signs of sheer neglect. A daily dose of cleansing and moisturizing will help. Before going to bed, soak your feet in warm soapy water for 15 minutes. Wash and dry. Then take one teaspoon Vaseline. Add to it the juice of one lemon. Rub this mixture into the cracked heels and other areas of the feet till it is thoroughly absorbed. This should be done daily. A mixture of glycerin and rosewater too, if applied regularly helps to soothe and cure cracked-heels.

FOOT EXFOLIANTS AND SCRUBS

You need to exfoliate your feet without being too harsh. Dead skin accumulated on the feet can cause a lot of problems. The ideal way to get rid of calluses is to exfoliate. Use a loofah at least twice a day to get rid of the dead skin. However, nourishing and exfoliating your feet should be done every week.

STRAWBERRY EXFOLIATES

Take 6-8 strawberries and two tablespoons of olive (or almond) oil, and one teaspoon of sea-salt. Mash the strawberries. Add the oil and salt. Make into a paste. Massage into the feet, rubbing harshly as you go along. Keep rubbing, especially around the hardened areas of your feet. Leave the paste on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with warm water, then with cold water. Another good exfoliate is to use crushed almonds, instead of strawberries. Both exfoliate the tough skin of your feet and the natural juices and oils nourish your feet. Other natural exfoliating foot scrubs can be prepared by grinding corncobs and walnut shells. These are especially good for exfoliating very toughened feet, especially the heel areas.

ORANGE AND OIL SCRUB

This is an ideal cooling foot scrub. Take two oranges, one cup of oil (any vegetable oil will do), and one cup of sea salt. Mix together salt and oil. Thickly slice the oranges into rings. Dip them into this oil and salt lotion and start rubbing all over the feet. Use generously on the hardened skin areas. Keep rubbing vigorously for 10 minutes, then rinse off. This cleans your feet, cools and softens them. Calluses on the feet can also be cured by rubbing the soles of the feet with lemon sliced into half. Take a lemon, slice it into half, and rub it vigorously in circular motions over the toes, heels and other tough and hard areas.