Cracked heels and feet

[cantatrice]

Please can anybody help me? I have been suffering for the past four weeks
from this terribly painful condition. I have tried Steroid cream on sticky plaster'
friar`s balsam; Boots creams and special conditioners; paraffin foot baths;
using the pumice and other types of tough emery boards etc. But, I still
have more cracks appearing each day and cannot bear to wear any shoes.
I understand that I should wear shoes with strap or support at the back;
need room for bunions and must not wear flat shoes. \I am in despair.

Oh, fortgot to say that I have also tried smothering my feet in Manuka honey.

[EngTeach]

I get it too b/c I walk around barefoot and live in flip flops. I use Bath and Body Works "Look Ma New Hands" paraffin cream. I put it on at night w/ cotton socks. If I do the regularly, it helps. Not sure if you have Bath and Body Works there.

That being said, you may need to see a foot doctor or dermatologist. It can be a medical condition too.

[boxtops]

I hardly ever wear shoes in the house and garden and my heels get in a state very easily. I use lots of pumice stone, one of those scrapy things that look like the tool you use on new potatoes, to wear down the edges of the cracks. Scholl foot cream helped me, when I remember to use it. Can I suggest (although I don't do this myself, I should!) you see if your local pharmacy or your GP can recommend a podiatrist, since your feet are so painful? Our local chemist has an attached podiatrist, you may have to pay a fee, I'm not sure. Mine don't often hurt, they are just caveman feet, but I know how uncomfortable it can get, and I sympathise with you.

[WILLWONKER]

Its called, Tea tree oil from the Body shop, the down turn is thats its £4 for a very small bottle but does go a long way, apply with a cotton bud, but use a new cotton bud for every dip in the bottle so you dont contaminate the oil

[askyourgran]

See your doctor, there may be some sort of cream you can use. I've read somewhere of putting foot cream on and wrapping feet in clingfilm overnight helps soften the feet.

[Vagrant]

I get this as well - I walk about 100 miles per week - what works for me is to lie in a bath and scrub my feet (till it hurts) with a pumice stone - so as to remove all hard skin. I do this ever 2-3 days.

[boxtops]

That sounds interesting willwonker - the trouble is I can't stand the smell of tea tree oil - but if it works, it's worth a try.

[cantatrice]

Thanks everybody - I shall certainly try the things you suggest.
I have been to a good Podiatrist and he did help but after six
days I needed to go back to him and at £30 a visit this is not
really possible on a regular basis.
Hope you are having a good weekend.

[WILLWONKER]

Well box its better than smelly feet, in my opinion it is a fungus that as got out of hand

[rabbitygirl]

Cantatrice - in the evening soak your feet in an washing up bowl containing warm water and a good amount of a moisturising bath oil/bubble bath. Dry gently. Smother with a good thick foot or hand cream. Put on cotton socks and wear til next morning.
Next morning, after showering or bathing, moisturise your feet again with a light lotion. Repeat every day til you see an improvement, which shouldn't be long.
You can add tea tree to the bowl if you want but it won't do much used neat on your cracked feet.
Not sure about no flat shoes, whether it's cracked feet or bunions, or both, you suffer from. I find wearing sandals drying for the feet, tho refreshing.
Omit the sock bit and the above treatment is good for very dry hands as well.

[tamborine]

this is good for aged feet (not for youngsters).....apply cream after use.

http://www.theincense...cfm?sCurrencyCode=GBP

[Robinia]

After soaking & removing as much dead skin as possible Compeed cracked heel cream is really good... you have to use it religiously night & morning until your feet are better & then once a day to maintain them.

[WILLWONKER]

Please not the washing up bowl??

[LoftyLottie]

A balm is available at Boots and most other good pharamacists CCS. It is fantastic and there is also a cream, but not so strong. It contains urea which is the magic ingredient you need. I used to have dreadful trouble like you do, my feet used to bleed. It really does work!!
Forget everything else, nothing worked for me and my cracked feet.

Flexitol is similar (again contains urea) but is not so good.

Also buy a Scholl foot file and once you have the cracks under control, use the file once a week. I use CCS about three times a week now, but nearly every day when it is hot and I am wearing sandals.

http://www.ccsfootcar...ts/product/heel_balm/

[LoftyLottie]

Just saw Robinia's post above. I haven't tried Compeed Cream, but it contains urea so is probably very similar.

[dothawkes31]

you're not drinking enough water during his humid weather, drink at least a litre throughout the day, you have to mnoisturise from the inside not just put cream on that won't sort it out. Have you had your thyroid checked as cracked heels are one of the conditions caused by an underactive thyroid

[tamborine]

lofty - who's urea ? If that's the magic ingredient, use your own ?

[20SilkCut]

I find the ped egg is very good if used regularly and then slather feet in really rich moisturising cream before bed..

[boxtops]

tambo - I have considered that option, wee on your feet in the shower, but it doesn't seem quite the thing to do....

[tamborine]

urea is good at cauterising wounds ie cracked skin. Am gonna test it, with my own brand :)

[ooh-la-la]

i file my feet down every other day half way though my shower, then after I've finished showering and my feet are only just dry i massage aqueous cream onto them, and put some socks on for about an hour until it all absorbs it all. It really helps to leave them soft. And what's even better is you can get a big pot of the stuff from pound land shop, or if you don't have one near you any pharmacy sells them for about £3 - £4. Good luck sweetie xx