Heel cracks
Fissures called xerosis form around the edge of the heel as the skin dries out. The more we stand on our feet - and the older we get - the more likely we are to experience heel fissures. However, xerosis is not an inevitable part of aging or standing. Many people who stand all day or survive to age 100 don't have heel cracks. What is different between those who get them and those who don't?
Frequently, it is nutrition, exercise, rest and stress management.
Heel cracks appear most commonly in people as they age, it is true. So does diabetes. My experience tells me that heel cracks commonly appear as we lose our ability to balance our glucose (blood sugar). They are more common in people with pre-diabetes and diabetes. Control your blood sugar and you can often help control the cracking in your heels.
Two nutrients are important in glucose management: zinc and Omega essential fatty acids. Zinc helps control blood sugar, helps improve mental function, helps reduce the number of colds and viruses that affect you and even helps with ringing in the ears (tinnitus). Essential fatty acids help produce more lubrication (sebum) in the skin of the heels and help speed up healing. GlucoManage® is a good source of zinc and, of course, OmegaPrime® is my favorite source of essential fatty acids.
Consult with your healthcare provider if heel cracks:
Become painful
Become so deep they begin to bleed
Become infected
Hand cracks
Fissures affect the hands as well as the feet. However, the causes are not the same. For example, cracked skin on the hands can be a sign of an autoimmune disorder such as Sjogren's or psoriasis - inflammatory conditions appearing in the skin. I say "appearing in the skin" because psoriasis is a condition involving the whole body. Psoriasis and other skin disorders causing fissures in the hands and fingers may be autoimmune disorders - a condition where the immune system attacks normal, healthy skin and destroys it.
Interestingly, essential fatty acids are often effective in teaching the immune system to "work smarter, not harder." They do not "boost" the immune system or bolster it in any way. (In an autoimmune disorder you do not want to "boost" your immune system because that causes more damage.) Instead, essential fatty acids along with Vitamin D help the immune system more clearly identify healthy and unhealthy tissues so it may react appropriately.
Not to be overlooked, the immune system is the most intrinsically involved body system in the mind-body connection. Any stress, large or small, is immediately reflected in the immune system. Adaptogens help mitigate the impact of stress on the immune system.
Mouth cracks
Infections from tooth abscess to thrush can cause cracks in the corners of your mouth. Autoimmune conditions including celiac disease can as well (celiac disease is triggered by an extreme allergy to wheat and other gluten-containing grains). Toxins also cause cracks in the corners of the mouth. For example, fluoride in toothpaste and too much Vitamin A can both reach toxic levels and cause cracking and fissures in the lips.
The most common cause of dry, cracked lips is dehydration. Drink pure water and make sure you have enough essential fatty acids and minerals to hold that water in your skin.
Conclusion
Our skin says much about our life. It is a special window into our immune system. For healthy skin we must learn to listen as our body speaks to us. If you have dry, cracked skin anywhere on your body, seek appropriate medical care and consider the impact that proper nutrients and nurturing will have as we strive to be like the people with perfect, beautiful skin!
Take Control of Your Health
Heel cracks:
OmegaPrime
GlucoManage
Hand cracks:
OmegaPrime
Nopalea™
Adaptogen 10 Plus®
Mouth cracks:
OmegaPrime
Wellavoh® or VitaDaily™ AM/PM
Drink Pure Water
Learn more!
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