Cracked heels (Padadari)

परिक्रमणशीलस्य वायुरत्यर्थरूक्षयोः |
पादयोः कुरुते दारी सरुजां तलसंश्रितः || (सु.नि. १३/२९)

Cracked heels-Padadari

Cracked heels generally occur as a result of dry skin on the feet. This is often accompanied by hyperkeratosis (thickened skin) and callus formation around the edges of the heel, which is yellow or dark brown in colour. When weight is applied to the fat pad in the heel, it expands sideways and creates fissures in the skin, which has become less elastic and more prone to cracking due to decreased moisture. Initially, small fissures can appear over the surface of the heel or callus and these may become larger and deeper resulting in pain and bleeding. Pain is typically worse on weight bearing and alleviated by rest. People with larger, deeper heel fissures have an increased risk of infection which may progress to cellulitis and ulceration, especially in those with additional risk factors such as diabetes

Cracked heels condition is called” Padadari’ in Ayurveda. Paada means feet / heels. Dari, Darana means cracking. It is grouped under minor health complaints (Kshudra Rogas). Most of the time it is a harmless complaint, but causes disturbance to daily routines.

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Symptomsof Cracked heels

Cracking / fissures
Red and flaky patches
Itching of the skin
Painful condition of sole and palm
Often associated with bleeding and burning sensation

Ayurvedic reference of Cracked heels-Padadari

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Diet Management in Cracked heels

Do’s (Pathya) inCracked heels

Milk, tender coconut and its pulp, fruits and vegetables, sufficient amount of water will bring significant benefit in foot crack.
Clean your feet and gently pat them dry. Smear enough moisturiser and foot-balm to maintain softness of the skin and moisture. Petroleum jelly, coconut oil, olive oil and glycerine are useful to prevent heel cracks
Apply moisturiser and put on cotton socks before going to sleep.
Seeking a doctor’s help during bleeding or infection in the feet is the best.

Don’ts (Apathya) inCracked heels

Spicy and salty food will worsen the condition.
Coffee and Cigarette smoking have direct effect over foot crack and hence they should be avoided from day one of its treatment.
Scalding hot water dries the skin more. Use lukewarm water for bathing or cleaning feet.

Take maximum 5-10 minutes for shower. It is unwise to dip the feet into water for longer period.

Using harsh soaps and too much rubbing will increase dryness.

Don’t walk around barefoot or with open-back sandals in the wintry atmosphere.

Don’t try to exfoliate the skin with rough materials. It may cut the skin. Diabetic patients should take the help of the specialists to exfoliate the dead skin of the feet

Yoga Therapy in Cracked heels

Postures include,

Tadasana
Paschimottanasana
Trikonasana

Ayurvedic Treatment for Cracked heels

Cracked heel being a minor Vata disorder, is managed effectively and easily by Vata pacifying measures such as oleation(snehana)-medicated oil application, sudation (Swedana) – mild sweating, external application (liana)- application of herbal creams, moisturizers (clean) etc.

External medication for Cracked heels

Madhuchishtadi lepa
Sarjarasa malahara
Gairikadi lepa
Pinda taila
Gandhakadya malahara
Dhatturabeeja taila
Manjishtadi ghrita
Shatadhouta ghrita Padadari malahara
Gandhakadya malahara

Sarjarasa malahara
Panchaguna taila
Jeevantyadi malahara
Jasadamrita malahara
Jatyadi taila
Jatyadi ghrita
Sinduradya malahara
Rasottamadi lepa

Internal medications for Cracked heels

Sarivadyasava
Chandanasava
Ksheerabala 101 avartita taila

Dhanwantara taila
Sarivadyavaleha
Chandanadi choorna

Single drugs used inCracked heels

Vibhitaka (Terminalia bellerica)
Surasa (Ocimum sanctum)
Shirisha (Albizia lebbek)
Haridra (Curcuma longa)

Katuki (Picrorhiza Kurroa)
Nimba (Aristolochia indica)
Guloochi (Tinospora cordifolia)

References

Susrutha Nidan Sthana, Ksudraroga Nidana Chapter 13, Sloka 29.
Yadunandana U, editor. Madhava Nidana of Madhavakar Vol. 2. Ch.55, verse 25. Reprint Edition. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Prakashan; 2009. p.239.
Shastri BS, Editor. Yogratnakara of Laxmipati Shastri Kshudraroga Chikitsa. Chapter 32, verse 12. Reprint Edition. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Prakashan; 2013. p.278.
Datta SR, Editor. Charak Samhita of Agnivesha, Kalpasthana. Chapter 10, verse 9. Reprint Edition. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Bharati Academy; 2009. p. 933.
Sahil Gupta, Ayurvedic Aspects of Allergies and Fungal Infections, Edition 2021, Cracked Heels Chapter No. 37, Page No. 223-227.

Article Written By: Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is Cracked heels?

Answer: Cracked heels refers to a condition produced by the occurrence of fissures in abnormally hard, dry skin over the heels of the feet

Question: What are the causes ofCracked heels?

Answer: Cracked heels develop when the skin around your heels splits apart. A mixture of dryness and pressure lead to cracked heels, as the skin becomes unable to keep moisture levels up and ultimately becomes fragile, leading to breaks

Question: What is the Ayurvedic treatment for Cracked heels?

Answer: The principle of management of cracked heels includes, local applications, and internal administration of drugs.

Question: What is the cause of cracked heels according to Ayurveda?

Answer: According to Ayurveda, cracked heels is caused due to the imbalance of Vata dosha. Vata dosha gets imbalanced due to the intake of food intake that is bitter, astringent and pungent in taste. Other causes include: walking on uneven rough surface, bare foot walk, use of strong chemical- based products etc.

Question: What is the Ayurvedic treatment of Cracked Heels?

Answer: In Ayurveda, cracked heels can be easily managed through Vata pacifying measures such as: snehana (oleation), swedana (sudation), lepana (external application of herbal creams), kledana (moisturizers) etc.

Question: What is the wholesome diet for cracked heels?

Answer: Consumption of ash gourd, cow ghee, tender coconut water, fresh butter etc. are beneficial. Spicy and salty food will worsen the condition so it should be avoided.