Home Foot Treatments

Dry, cracked skin on the heel of the foot can be both uncomfortable and unsightly. This malady is often more than just a lack of moisturizer, but a general neglect of healthy foot care. While these fissures of the foot aren't inherently harmful, they can be painful and, more importantly, not necessary. There are a number of quick, inexpensive ways to treat this common condition at home. One quick country remedy is to apply shortening or vegetable oil to the affected areas after careful cleaning. Once they're nicely coated put on a pair of thick, clean socks. This lets the maximum amount of moisturizer soak into the skin. Other natural moisturizers are banana pulp, avocado and coconut. A great treatment to add to this natural moisturizing is a good, exfoliating foot soak. A person can use a bottled treatment purchased at a drug store, or a solution of lemon juice and water. The light acid of this solution can help get rid of dry skin layers. After soaking, use a loofa or footstone to exfoliate the heels before applying moisturizer. In general, daily foot cleansing is an excellent prevention and treatment for cracking heels. It's also good to avoid situations where the feet will be wet or damp for extended periods of time. Be sure to properly protect the feet from exposure to concentrated chemicals such as floor cleaners and detergents. These scenarios can leech the moisture from feet in a hurry. Besides direct foot care, there are other health elements that affect the quality of the foot's skin. Adding Vitamin E to the diet is an excellent way to replenish the skin's natural moisture when time and neglect have left certain parts dehydrated. Other healthy additions include calcium, iron, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids. Deficiencies in these areas can all contribute to the irritation that is cracked, dry heels. In short: cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize and nourish. Consult your San Francisco Podiatrist for more information on dry or cracked skin.

Podiatrists are medical doctors specializing in the treatment of injuries, deformities and diseases of the feet. If a consultation is needed for one of these condition types, a good place to start could be a referral from a primary care physician. Contact a local medical clinic or hospital and ask for a contact list for a podiatrists practicing in the area. The public health nurse may also have this information. Some rural localities may have a visiting podiatrist or refer patients to a larger metropolitan area to treat foot conditions. Other resources for these listings include the local public library or the yellow pages. Also, try just asking around. Family members, coworkers and friends who have sought treatment before may be able to provide a short route to a nearby podiatrist. For those with health insurance, the insurance provider or third party administrator likely has a listing of area specialists. This a good way to both find a provider and find one covered by your insurance policy. Not all policies cover podiatric concerns; so ask about coverage before hand to avoid any cost surprises. Each state also has a board of podiatry, and their Web site should provide a listing of state podiatrists and their locations. Online resources include the American Podiatric Medical Association (http://www.apma.org/) and the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (http://www.acfas.org/). These sites contain comprehensive listings for podiatric providers around the country.