Skinrepublic

Dear Dr. Jen

I have a very bad case of cracked heels. Sometimes it hurts when I walk. I have tried some brands of lotions that claim to treat it but it is still around. What else can I do to get rid of it?

   Jenna

   Dear Jenna,

Almost everyone at some point in their life will experience cracked heels. Most of the time the cause is merely xerosis or dryness. Wearing open-back shoes can contribute to the dryness by exposing the skin on the heels so there is less moisture. Excessive weight also increases pressure on the normal fat pad under the heel making the skin expand sideways and causing it to dry out more.

For most people, cracked heels is a cosmetic problem. This can easily be treated by applying regular petroleum jelly to affected areas. But when the fissures run deep into the dermis, it can be painful. An evaluation by a PDS dermatologist is essential to find out if there is concomitant infection. It is also important for the dermatologist to rule out Tineapedis or Athlete's foot, since this can masquerade as cracked heels. 

Avoid prolonged standing, wearing ill-fitting shoes, open shoes, and continuous exposure to water. These can exacerbate cracked heels. Hoping you can walk pain-free soon.

Dear Dr. Jen,

My 16 year old daughter has hair lice. I've already cut off her hair but the problem seems to persist. I don't have the time to keep combing her hair with the "suyod" because I am a working mom. And I don't want her to shave off her hair. Is there a treatment for lice?

Worried Mom

Dear Worried Mom,

Head lice (or Pediculosiscapitis) usually manifest as small white nits that cling to the hair shaft and the bites on neck or scalp that can become itchy. Your daughter may have gotten it from head-to-head contact or by sharing belongings like hats, comb, head phones and clips from an infected person. She may even have gotten it from towels, blankets, pillows or upholstered furniture that contain lice.

Nowadays, it is no longer necessary to shave off one's hair.  Treatment is easily achieved by applying a medicated lotion like Permethrin and applying it to dry hair which is left on for 10-30 minutes. Fine combing the hair with the "suyod" can be done after the treatment. Repetition of this after 7-10 days is necessary to kill off the lice that may have hatched. 

A home remedy to try though more tedious, is to apply conditioner or even lotion to dry hair and use a fine-tooth comb to take out the hair lice. This can be done daily for 10 days. The conditioner and comb method can be used as a compliment to the Permethrin.

I hope this will help eliminate your daughter's head lice! Make sure to throw away all her hair paraphernalia and soak all her hats and towels in hot water to avoid re-infection.

If you have any questions or concerns please text 0922 845 5556 or email [email protected].

Dr Tan is a diplomate of Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS). She is affiliated with Perpetual Succour Hospital. For other information on PDS, check http://www.pds.org.ph/.