I see a lot of foot problems caused by a combination of wear and
tear and skin dryness. Painful splitting or fissuring around the
edge of the heels, corns and callosities (calluses) are
surprisingly common and all stem from excessive skin dryness and
friction from rubbing, ill-fitting shoes. Whilst unsightly
and painful, this nuisance can become more problematic if the
cracks become deep and could risk infection entering the broken
skin - epidermis - giving rise to possible more serious infection
if left untreated.
My Dermatology Clinic used to be next to the Chiropody
department of the Hospital I worked in. It was here I first
encountered a Urea based formulation from Germany which impressed
me with its ability to soften and genuinely heal problematic
thickened foot skin.
Although strange sounding, Urea is made from
protein and represents 7% of the natural moisturising factor in the
top layer of the epidermis. It is 100% natural ensuring it is
non-toxic and non-allergenic and it plays a vital role in
maintaining the skin’s moisture balance. When the skin is
dry, and in some skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis
and dermatitis, the level of urea in the skin is reduced. As a
result, the water binding capacity of the skin is decreased and
moisture is lost. This dryness leads to roughness, hardening and
splitting. On top of this urea depletion effect, we then pound our
feet on hard pavements wearing ill fitting shoes and bathing
frequently in water using products which may clean but continue to
dry our skin. The damage is relentless.
I am delighted that nurture has now produced a urea
containing product as its soothing foot and heel balm can counter
this assault on our foot skin and aid the prevention of painful
foot problems.
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