Help Dr Bhatti! My heels are all cracked and unsightly and I am going on holiday in two weeks time.

Cracked heels can be a sign of a lack of essential minerals and vitamins or a lack of attention to foot care, rather than a lack of an adequate moisturizer. Cracked heels are more common in people who are suffering with diabetes or with someone who has a poor immune system. The condition is also a common occurrence for senior citizens or people who are constantly on their feet.

Very dry or thick skin is more likely to crack. People who are overweight may also suffer more frequently with the problem. Disorders such as athletes foot, psoriasis, eczema and thyroid disease can also lead to cracked heels. The most common reason, however, for cracked heels is inadequate hygiene, ill-fitting shoes, lack of exposure to fresh air and a deficiency of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and zinc.

If left untreated, the condition can become sore or infected. You should consult you chiropodist or foot doctor to determine the cause of the problem.

Although cracks in the skin can arise anywhere in the body, the most common area is the rim of the heel and web of toes. The good news is that cracked heels can be cured quite easily. Some simple home remedies may help. Try applying the pulp of a ripe banana on the cracked area for about ten minutes then wash off and apply vegetable oil. Wear a pair of cotton socks and leave the oil on overnight.

Soaking your feet in lemon juice and water for approximately ten minutes may also help. Continue with these foot baths until the condition has cleared up. A daily regime of cleaning and moisturizing is a good cure for dry or cracked heels. A regular application of a mixture of glycerine and rosewater is also known to soothe and cure cracked heels.

The most important issue to address with cracked heels is diet. It is essential to have a diet rich in vitamins, minerals and zinc. Adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids is vital. Fatty acids are not naturally produced by the body, therefore it has to be ingested from food or supplements. Eat plenty of foods rich in vitamins E such as vegetable oils, green vegetables, cereals, wheat germ, whole-grain products and nuts. Get adequate calcium from yoghurt, goat's milk, fortified soya milk, mineral water, ice cream, tinned fish, juices, cereals and broccoli. Foods rich in iron include chicken and fish. Iron is also available in cereals, eggs, green leafy vegetables and beans, although these sources are not as easily absorbed into the body as the iron from meat, chicken and fish. Zinc rich foods include oysters, chicken, crab, kidney beans, yoghurt, brown rice, and spaghetti. Omega-3 fatty acids are largely fish, and flaxseed oil or flax seeds.

Always consult your GP before starting any new regime or self treatment. The contents of this article are for information purposes only and are not intended to prevent, diagnose or cure any medical conditions. If you would like a question covered, contact The Clinic of Complementary and Natural Medicine, Kiltartan House, Forster St., Galway on 091- 568804.

Dr H Bhatti is the President of the Association of Naturopathic Practitioners and can be contacted at his clinics at Kiltartan House, Forster Street, Galway on 091-568804 or at The Village Nursing Care Centre, Ballygarriff, Craughwell on 091-777700.

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