dry cracked heels

[birdgardner]

We've had shoe threads, hand threads, hair threads, scrub threads, boob threads - now a heel thread?

The skin on my heels is dry and cracked and the more I'm on my feet and walking, the more I hit that stress point and crack the skin. Aveeno baby moisture lotion (petrolatum and colloidal oatmeal) helps some; bandaids help some, but it never really softens and heals all the way. I can't go barefoot any more and I'm a barefoot girl at heart. Winter's going to make it worse.

Any suggestions, shoes, inserts, lotions?

[LovebugLPN]

The trick I used was to lather LOTS of lotion on your feet and put plastic grocery bags on your feet. Over that put socks. Then go to bed. I know it sounds crazy but the heat from all the layers helps your feet absorb the lotion.

[jaccimv]

avon makes really good feet products. also i have a pair of socks i got from bath and body works that have a gel with aloe, etc in them. i put them on at night after rubbing them down with lotion and they stay super soft. i think you might be able to find them on the website. also, a good excuse to get pedicures more often. if you have the time and extra dollars..:paw::paw:

[walktheline]

this is going to sound like i am off my rocker, but i swear it is true. my husband starting using vicks vapor rub for toe nail fungus and just rubbed the extra on a callous and his heels and honest to goodness, soft heels, callous and fungus gone. he is diabetic so i did check with the md to make sure it was okay and he saw no reason why not.

does vicks vapor work for toenail fungus??? my doctor doesn't want to start me on any oral med for it because she says it can have an adverse effect on your liver.

[CseMgr1, ASN, RN]

I had the same problem with my heels several years ago. Nothing worked, until I found a little gadget called "Soapy Soles" online:

http://www.soapysoles.com/mainfr.htm

I use it every night during my shower. It has been a GODSEND.

[truern]

Another Ped Egg affectionado here!!

I use it after bathing and then rub on whatever lotion is laying around. If I have a *really* bad spot I use one of those little razor thingies, but not very often and you have to be very very careful!!

What I've found to really make a difference, though, is wearing shoes. When I go barefoot (and I LOVE to) my feet are much worse.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Does Vicks Vapor work for toenail fungus??? My doctor doesn't want to start me on any oral med for it because she says it can have an adverse effect on your liver.

If you have like a Sally Beauty Supply type place around ask if they have anything for fungus from artificial nails.

[Flatbelly]

Does Vicks Vapor work for toenail fungus?

I used Tea Tree Oil and it worked like a charm. Apply it two times a day to the infected nail. Not everyone is crazy about the smell, but it vanishes quickly after applying. Keep using the oil until the infected area grows out completely. Yes, this will take a while, but it's worth it. At least you won't poison yourself with meds.

[lvnhopeful]

Vicks is supposed to work well on fungus. From what I understand, it works better than the stuff they sell for fake nails.

Good luck. I am going to buy some for my feet and see how it works. Better yet, I will try it on my DH. If it works on him, it'll work on anyone, lol.

[NursePaula]

Walktheline,

It really works, but like the oral meds takes as long as your nails to grow out. Cut your nails, clean them up and then Vicks twice a day. About 6 to 9 months later no more fungus. You will actually start to see healthy nail growing in. I worked at the county jail here for a couple years and got the MD to start ordering this for the inmates when they complained of fungus and it worked there also. Cheap, no side effects (except I bought a box of gloves at the drug store so my husband didn't rub his eyes on accident when he went to bed, etc.) Good luck!!! Dr Gott is where I heard about this originally in the newspaper column...My pomeranian dog wasn't too happy since she couldn't sleep under the covers without her eyes watering...

[walktheline]

Thanks! How is it that Vicks can do this and other otc stuff cannot?

[birdgardner]

I had some Vick's Vaporub and put it on the cracked callus tonight about an hour ago, with socks. I swear it feels softer already, and it's warmer (increased bloodflow?) The other stuff I've used, Aveeno or vaseline or Desitin, would be rubbed off and gone and the skin flaking again, but the Vick's seems to go into the skin and stay there.

Also have some lanolin left from the breastfeeding days, will try that too - nothing like using what you have on hand.

Now when I get into bed, dh will wonder at my choice of perfumes!

Thank you, ladies (and any gents.)

[nickos]

You guys are brilliant. My friend bought himself and me one of those ped eggs and I haven't used it yet..was skeptical...think I will try it tomorrow!

Also I have keratosis pilarsis (sp?); the little pink bumps mostly on my upper arms that make me self-conscious especially in the summer. I had heard that stuff with salicylic acid would minimize the bumps, but I didn't realize that stridex pads would work hopefully as well as the more expensive stuff I saw in magazines and online. Add it to my list!

FOR THE HEELS: I second the lotion/bag/sock idea. It's great. Also eucerin cream works pretty well. It's really thick and you have to work it in but it will soak in; before bedtime is the best!