Residents resort to shea butter to prevent cracked feet

cracked feet

Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have resorted to the use of shea butter as against sophisticated body creams to avoid cracked feet, skins and mouth lips during harmattan.

A cross section of the residents, in Abuja on Thursday, attributed the major cause of dry and flaky skins during harmattan to sophisticated body creams and the weather.

The `Dictionary of Contemporary English: New Edition’ defines shea butter as a type of oil from an African nut that is usually used in moisturizers to make the skin less dry.

Miss Joy Steven, an undergraduate in one of the tertiary institutions, said she had since stopped using such body creams, especially during harmattan, as it made her skin dry, patchy and flaky.

“I now use shea butter on my skin to revitalise the effects creams containing chemicals had on my body.’’

Steven said she would continue applying only locally- made cream and other natural-organic products on her skin rather than the chemically-concentrated creams.

Mrs Bose Adegoke, a mother of two, said she used shea butter on her skin and that of her children to avoid any irritation, as well as to maintain a moisturised texture.

“When my children mingle with other kids that have skin diseases, they do not contract it because I have been using shea butter on them since they were born.

“It also makes our skin’s glow, smooth and maintains a very healthy colour,” she said.

A civil servant, Aisha Waziri, said she used to rub shea butter on her skin whenever she was pregnant to prevent it developing stretch marks, itching and other skin irritation peculiar to pregnant women.

According to her, shea butter has really improved my skin colour and has kept it flawless without stretch marks or spots, despite having six children.

Similarly, Yemi Sunday, a businessman, said he applied shea butter on the soles of his feet and lips of his mouth to avoid cracks.

“During harmattan, I always develop very deep and irritating crack on my feet which usually hurts when I walk.

“It was not until a lady advised me to be using shea butter on the soles of my feet and lips of my mouth that it stopped,” he said.

Sunday said that rubbing shea butter was good on the body to prevent and treat skin diseases and infection.

Meanwhile, shea butter traders in Garki market said they recorded more patronage during harmattan season than any other period.

Maman Hafusat, a trader at the market, said she made triple sales on a daily basis during harmattan as against other time of the year.

She emphasised the role shea butter made in the repair and maintenance of skin texture, hair, lips and soles of the feet.

According to her, shea butter also prevents cold, especially, for babies during harmattan.

She advised the public, especially, mothers to always rub shea butter on their babies to prevent skin irritation, diseases and cold.