Cracked Heel

[ShinKenshi]

E-bogu's recently set up a youtube page and their latest video goes over Ariga Sensei's method on how to fix a cracked heel, something many of us have painfully experienced. After watching it, it appears you could even apply it to other areas of your feet that are having problems, such as the balls of your feet. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QObS5i8awwc

[Kaa]

awesome! thumbs up!

[NoNameKleenex]

I saw this method used on a broken blister once - can't say I'd ever want that put on a wound. What purpose does heating the glue serve?

[ShinKenshi]

I saw this method used on a broken blister once - can't say I'd ever want that put on a wound. What purpose does heating the glue serve?It activates it. It isn't the same kind of adhesive that's on band-aids so you have to heat it in order to melt it and make it sticky. Once it cools it forms a much stronger bond between the fabric and the skin. I don't think you're supposed to put it on an open would like a broken blister or anything that's bleeding but is intended to help stabilize cracked callouses and such.

[Kaa]

"I saw this method used on a broken blister once"

No I agree fully, i would never put it on a open wound. But on a "ordinary" cracked heel - well ok.

[NoNameKleenex]

It activates it. It isn't the same kind of adhesive that's on band-aids so you have to heat it in order to melt it and make it sticky. Once it cools it forms a much stronger bond between the fabric and the skin. I don't think you're supposed to put it on an open would like a broken blister or anything that's bleeding but is intended to help stabilize cracked callouses and such.

I see - I didn't realize it's not the same type of tape. When I saw the stuff being put on a broken blister, I thought to myself that I'd rather just let it heal the good ol' fashioned way. Seems I was right :)

[jjcruiser]

I saw this method used on a broken blister once - can't say I'd ever want that put on a wound. What purpose does heating the glue serve?

Maybe there's a slight difference between a cracked heel and a blister -- perhaps for blisters at least one might want to use liquid skin on the cut first to have separation between the opening and the melted adhesive of the bandage? I've never had a cracked heel so I don't know about that, but that's fairly similar to what I do for blisters -- liquid skin followed by moleskin followed by taping, take the whole thing off at night so it heals normally.

[Curtis]

E-bogu's recently set up a youtube page and their latest video goes over Ariga Sensei's method on how to fix a cracked heel, something many of us have painfully experienced. After watching it, it appears you could even apply it to other areas of your feet that are having problems, such as the balls of your feet. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QObS5i8awwc

Elastikon tape, works great.

Cured my cracked heel by rubbing Vaseline jelly in to it daily.

[ratdeau]

"I saw this method used on a broken blister once"

No I agree fully, i would never put it on a open wound. But on a "ordinary" cracked heel - well ok.
If your not bleeding, a broken blister is not an open wound but some really tender skin.
I put a relatively small patch, two time the diameter of the blister, directly on the skin and let it as long as it stays on.

As this tape is extensible in one direction only, it's better to position the non extensible direction across the crack or parallel to your feet motion.
As a crak appears when the callous part of the skin is to thick, I lower the sides of the crack to give the skin more stretchability.
(argh, difficult to explain for a french speeking guy)

[Taikatsu]

Hope to god I dont go through that but in this art, its bound to happen lol

[ShinKenshi]

Hope to god I dont go through that but in this art, its bound to happen lolYou won't have to worry about this happening for a long time, just focus on getting to that first practice.

[Taikatsu]

You won't have to worry about this happening for a long time, just focus on getting to that first practice.

Ha ha ha Im looking forward to doing so. Im picking up my book tomorrow for reference and what not. I can't wait.

[Tanukisan]

I have two cracked heels at present. I have been putting some salve made by a company here in New Zealand called "Ocean Organics" & it is working a treat. It is apparently also excellent for deep cuts and surface cuts, eczema, boils, piles, itchy bites, burns, grazes, cold sores....the only ointment you need in the medicine cabinet!

Contains 100% natural NZ native wild herbs which are hand-picked and hand pressed:

Karamu for itching;
Miro antiseptic for bruises and wounds;
Kawakawa for aches, pains and cuts;
Flax root for cuts and burns;
Kohekohe for inflammation and bleeding;
Manuka (Ti Tree) a natural antiseptic;
Karaka for wounds;
Karengo seaweed to soothe and heal;
Lavender oil for burns;
Grape seed oil to aid healing;
Rescue remedy for shock.
Infused on low heat into Lanolin & strained.

Awesome stuff, I highly recommend it!!

Check them out at: http://www.oceanorganics.co.nz/page.cfm?id=6