Pamper your feet:

Apart from just looking ugly, neglected feet can also make life difficult for you. Here’s how you can avoid cracked feet.

Causes

Dry skin is one of the main causes of cracked feet. The sole of our feet has comparatively lesser number of sebaceous glands in comparison to any other body part. The skin in this area lacks the capacity to keep itself soft and this calls for more care.

Mild Cracks

Cracks appear when the area becomes very dry and starts peeling. If care is taken at the onset, it will save you a lot of trouble.

* Soak your feet in warm water, scrub off the dead cells and massage your soles with olive oil. This will increase blood circulation and the area becomes soft.

* Go for a professional pedicure which includes a treatment with paraffin wax, aromatic oils and minerals. This treatment activates the sebaceous glands, moisturises the feet and softens them.

* For an effective pedicure at home, soak your feet in warm water, scrub off the dead cells with a mixture of oatmeal and yogurt. Wash your feet clean after 10 minutes. Massage your feet with a rich vitamin E cream. Cover feet with a cling film and dip them in warm water. This helps the cream penetrate into the skin more easily.

Deep Cracks

Stop abusing your feet and try this enzyme pedicure.

* Clean the area with a chemical-free soap. Soak your feet in warm water till the skin becomes soft. Scrub off the dead skin gently with a pumice stone.

* Make a rich fruit pack with mashed banana, papaya or strawberry and apply a very thick layer on the feet. Cover the feet with disposable plastic socks. This cuts off the air supply to the feet, makes the area soft and kills bacterial infection.

* Leave this pack on for three-four hours. Remove the cover, massage gently and wash off with warm water followed by a cold rinse.

* Use a hydrating foot cream to moisturise the feet.

General care

* After a bath massage your feet with a moisturiser.
* Always wear good footwear with soles that are not hard.
* Don’t walk bare foot on hard surfaces.
* Wash your feet clean after spending time outdoors.
* Apply a foot cream at night.