Every summer I have problems with my heels developing painful cracks. I do go barefoot. I use a pumice stone on my feet in the shower, at least every other day. I have a file for dry skin. I have tried cracked heel cream, anti fungal cream and sleeping with vaseline covered feet in cotton socks (which kills me, because menopause overheating is a problem at night).
Does anyone have a solution that works for them? These cracks HURT! I'm open to any suggestions!

Thanks,

Jodie

Sandpaper! I find the files meant for feet aren't heavy duty enough. I use a reasonably coarse sandpaper to rub them over newspaper. Then use the heel cream you probably already have.

I do it nightly for a few nights, then as required. I actually get my very wonderful husband to do it on the first night, cause it can take a while.

My mum has the same problem; she soaks her feet in water, then takes a`paring knife to them before the sandpaper. I can't bring myself to do that yet!

OK Salon Owner here............get yourself a pedicure every 2 weeks, that's the first thing.....second........NEVER walk barefoot, it's the worse thing for your feet and third..........this may sound strange but Vick's Vapor Rub is the industry's best kept secret. shhhhh!!!

Reason being........those cracked heels could actually harbor a foot fungus if you let it go. Vick's not only will heel the cracks, it will also treat the fungus.

I've been using it for years and coming from a woman who is on her feet from 9 in the morning til (someday's) midnight if I'm baking/decorating.... my feet are perfectly smooth. Put it on after you shower/bathe and white cotton socks do help but if you can't stand them all night just put them on for at least an hour.

I do get regular pedicures also......it's my one indulgence.


Edited to add.........PP please don't use a paring knife on your feet or tell your Mom not to. They sell callous razors that are much more effective and they're a heck of a lot safer than a knife and sanding paper.

The ped egg is worth its weight in gold...

Vick's Vapor Rub? Wow... that is something I never would have thought of!

okay....confession time......I have that icky toenail fungus, so I have never had a pedicure. I figure they won't wanna deal with it. I've had it on my little toe since HS and then I fell last year and tore off 4 nails and they came in all thick and gross. I HATE it.

Shoot...I'll try the Vapo Rub though....why the heck not???

Jodie

Try the ped egg, it works great.

As for the nail fungus, I suggest you get that checked because it will get worst if left untreated.

Good luck.

Jodie, There is oral medication that you can take for foot fungus. I'll ask my manicurist today when I go into the Salon, she probably knows the name. It is a prescription I believe.

I'll get back to ya on that. You're right about not being able to get a pedicure with an active fungus present, we're not allowed to do them. But, there are ways to get rid of that though.

Sadly, you do need to give up going outside barefoot - flip flops are a good solution - "nearly bare" but they still give you some protection. I still go barefoot in the house though.

I get cracked heels easily if I'm not vigilant - I use a Dr. Scholl's Swedish File daily on a DRY foot, which does a great job. Just keep it clean - I scrub it off with a nail brush and soap then airdry, and replace regularly (they're only about $5). I've never liked pumice very much - doesn't seem to take off enough of the dry skin, especially on damp feet. Regularly filing off the dry skin keeps heels from building up enough of it to crack.

If my feet are really dry, I rely on Aquaphor from Eucerin (wally world has it) - it's a bit pricey but works great. Use the swedish file, dust off your feet, then slather on and follow with socks. I also use other heavy creams like body butter, etc. Aquaphor is the only expensive stuff I use though. Bag Balm is pretty good too.

I try to get a pedicure about once a month - they do a great job trimming my nails & cuticles properly but I still do a better job on my callouses

I have tried a couple of things for cracks when I get them, and Dr Scholl's seems to help. They're hard to heal once you get them though so the best thing to do is keep up the maintenance.

You definately want to check with your Dr about the nail fungus.

I know about the prescription for the fungus, but it's very expensive and insurance won't pay for it. It can also cause liver damage, so they really don't like to use it unless it's really bad.

Jodie

I LOVE the Vicks idea!! I definately need to tell a few people about that. DH has a fungus underneath his toenails as plain as day. Actually it's not pretty at all. But he's had them tested and they can't pick up any trace of fungus whatsoever ???

If you have cracked heels AND split/dry hair then you most likely have an Omega imbalance. Yeah, I've gone on about the Omegas on another thread as a few of you know. But it's really important to get them in balance because it can cause so many problems if they're not. Flax seeds are the answer. Fish oil helps too but go the Flax first.

Didn't know about the Omega imbalance - interesting! I recently started eating flax meal (makes a great whole grain muffin) partly because I'm low carbing (I know - I still peek at the cake site!) and flax is sooo great for you - almost all fiber, plus all the nutrients in it. I make a quick microwave muffin for breakfast with it.

We'll see if that helps and if I can cut down on the heel maintenance.

Here's a link that shows some of the symptoms that Omega-3 deficiency can cause http://pages.prodigy.net/unohu/efa_d.htm and then to add to that, it also contributes towards Panick Attacks, Anxiety and PMS.

If it's Flax Meal it needs to go straight into the freezer to keep it from going off (you won't be able to tell if it is off/rancid). It goes off very quickly and is most probably so when you buy it. You should buy it whole and grind it at home in the blender, then freeze it straight away.

Also to be a stick in the mud: it's highly processed foods and grains that contribute towards Omega-3 Deficiency.

I actually DO the Vicks Vapor Rub!! A friend told me about it years ago, and it totally works. It's also really good if you (or your kids) has a cough, slather your feet in it and put socks on. I have no idea how it works, but it does. Weird, weird stuff.