Cracked heels

[draught]

Since having babies my formerly perfect smooth heels have become cracked and revolting. I have been sporadically using Eulactol heel balm but with no great success - does anyone have any great remedies they would like to share?

[Mamaduke]

I would be interested to find out a remedy for this too!
The snazzy backless flip-flops just don't look as nice when you've got elephant heels do they?!!!:(
I remember when I was a kid and we'd be on holidays and there'd be my dad carving off slabs of dead skin with his fishing knife....noice!!!!!:eek: I guess you could give that a go...;)

[JessandKirra]

any cream and lots of it!. find some elcheapo thongs or slippers.

drench your heels in sorbaline cream or vitamin e cream or body butter any cream really . The thongs or slippers are just in case you have to get up and walk around. However sit down if you can and let it soak in. It soaks in pretty quick.

[lukaelmo]

I used to sandpaper my heels, then moisturise and then pop some socks on. Do you wear shoes with enclosed heels? This also helps. Wearing thongs or going barefoot cracks them.

[draught]

I remember when I was a kid and we'd be on holidays and there'd be my dad carving off slabs of dead skin with his fishing knife....noice!!!!! I guess you could give that a go...

Let me think about that option for a nano-second....hmmmmm....NO!
Thanks anyway!

[littlepickle]

Hi draught

I use got2b spa "feet retreat" from Big W. Its like a powder you put in hot water. Then you soak your feet and it makes all of the dry cracked skin really soft, I then use one of those foot files straight away to get rid of the dry skin. And then follow up with the heel balm once a day. Its hard to get rid of the cracked dry skin once it has formed, the best way I find id to slough it off...

Another thing I sometimes do to make my feet soft is slather them in body butter or rich moisturiser, cover each toot with cling wrap, then put socks on and go to bed. In the morning my feet are really soft and moisturized:D

[rynosmum]

Tip one: Wear boots so no one can see revolting heels:p

Okay, soak and then pumice them within an inch of their lives. Rub in NS-8 Active Dry Skin Complex (Brand is chem-care). Rub in inexpensive sorbolene to rest of foot, wear cotton socks and go to bed.

Within a few days, you'll be wearing strappy sandals again !

I used this on my DH's previously festy feet. Although he's not ready for anything too strappy, his feet look sooooo much better !:D

[draught]

Thanks guys - I have been going barefoot or in backless shoes a lot more so that is probably not helping.

And I think you are right - the dead skin needs to be removed - just not with a fishing knife! I think I will invest in one of those foot files or a pumic or something and start removing the elephant feet (thanks Carly for the description - very accurate!)

[draught]

Tip one: Wear boots so no one can see revolting heels:p




Roll on winter!!!!

[Maxs_MumMy]

I have a stone which i purchased from the chemist for cracked heels...($13.-$14)

One side is rough to remove cracked and dry skin and one side smooth so you can smooth all the edges and skin etc...

Then wash your feet afterwards or soak them apply lots of foot cream...

I use treat your feet..which is purchased from myer or david jones..

[Chickadee]

I use the Eulactyl (sp?). The Dr Scholls one for cracked heels is also good but a bit pricier. You really need to use it religiously morning and night or after a shower/bath. At night really slather it on and then put cotton socks on so it stays put and soaks in. Work boots during the day are great too - sweaty feet seem to prevent it :eek:

I use a pumice stone I got from the Body Shop but any old one will do. I wouldn't try cutting the dead skin off but some people recommend it. It will come off eventually, often in a disgusting slab :eek:

Very cracked heels can get painful. At that point I smother them in an anti-bacterial ointment (the one I have is a bit like vaseline so also moisturises them), put a tape type dressing over them and do the sock thing.

[draught]

Okay - pumice stone shopping tomorrow. Tonight I am going to combine many of your responses and do the heel balm, the moisturiser, the gladwrap and the socks.....I figure start with the extreme and then work down to a daily routine - and I am sure I will have my heels back just in time for winter and my boots:rolleyes:

Keep the tips coming - as always it is nice to know I am not the only one!

[LittleBoysRock]

The body shop sell these great pumice things for dry feet and cracked heels.

They are long hand-held pumice type things with a rough side and a smooth side. Not used in the shower like a regular pumice but on dry feet.

They get rid of the cracks and are so cheap....$5.00. Love mine :)

[xkwzit]

I like to treat my poor feet to a pedicure everynow and then (I am self indulgent). Then I feel more able to look after them (when they're all buffed and noice). I put a heel cream on before bed when I remember and I don't worry about socks or gladwrap.

Sandals and open back shoes help to dry your feet out and since we can wear them all year round in Bris-vegas, its a bit of a hazard for me :D

Cheers

[Bewitched]

Before going to bed i used to wash and dry my feet. Then use a foot file (it actually feels good!) until the dead skin was smooth again.

Then i would rub cheap lanolin into my feet and pop thin cotton socks on for the night. Hey presto, first thing in the morning, velvety smooth feet :)

[jembelina]

Not sure exactly what it is called, but teh BEST pumice EVER is this coal one you can get from the chemist. It's about $2 or $3 and it's a bit smaller than a cake of soap. I keep mine in the shower and use it every day. This really helps as I'm a bit slack with lathering the moisturiser on. If you can bear it in this weather lather up and wear socks to bed.

[Seekrit]

I have cracked heels too, mine I got from my mum.
I found Eucatol works if I use it every day, and wear socks to bed, AND wear closed shoes the next day (I am a scuff/bare footer)
But I leave it a day or so and they're back to their normal grossness.

So no real advice, simply sympathy.

[Lucybelle]

The Bodyshop has a range of pumice stones and foot files from about $2-$5.
It is worthwhile to have a look at the Peppermint Foot Rescue (sensational for cooling your feet), or the Hemp Foot Protector. They also have these cute little sock things, if you want to really soak the lotion in at night like the other girls have suggested.

[redbaby]

Regular Pedicures,.. I get one every 2 weeks in summer and every month in winter,...and heaps of cream every night,....... oh,..and wearing thongs is pretty dodgy for your feet!

[Peaceangels]

Draught, I'd be going to a good beauty therapist for a deluxe pedicure treatment (one that uses a blade to remove the dead skin).

Not all use a blade (most just use a pumice which is useless for very dry heels), so you have to check if they do.

I use Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula as a moisturiser and it is great for keeping skin soft (its the best one I have used and u can buy it at priceline). Great for on the legs and feet (lots on the heels) and as someone said earlier, do it at night and then wear socks to bed to keep the moisture in (probably not a good idea on a hot night! :rolleyes: ).

[Mamaduke]

Draught, I'd be going to a good beauty therapist for a deluxe pedicure treatment (one that uses a blade to remove the dead skin).

See, my dad was onto something!!!;)

[aardvark]

I've been going to a podiatrist, who attacks the affected area with a small sanding machine - very effective and time efficient. And it is claimable against my extras cover, too.

[Nickster]

I've just been reading this thread, (I'm so bored at the moment - y'know how it is - house immaculately tidy, DH cooking lunch and DD asleep :rolleyes: :rolleyes: ), and I suddenly looked down and AAAHHHHHH!!!!!

I have cracked heels too!!!

I never noticed until now - isn't it amazing how these things creep up on you when you're so busy running around and looking after everyone else?

It's off to bed tonight for me with cocoa butter and socks......:)

[draught]

Okay - the overnight treatment has started to work but I have purchased the foot file and the NHS8 recommended by rynosmum and as soon as I get a babysitter and some free time I am going for a pedicure........and eventually I will get on top of the problem!!

Now to attack the rest of the body......bit by bit!

[Ffrenchknickers]

LOL....3 pages about cracked heels:D:rolleyes: This thread had gotta be nominated for something next year;) :D

[Mummabear]

My heels are GROSS. I thought about doing something about them the other week but then remembered that I was going for a deluxe pedicure treatment so I just pumiced off some of the bad stuff and figured they would attack and take care of the rest. Boy was I wrong. The pedicure was a gift from a gf while I was still preggers but I only just used it. She paid $80 for the treatment and it was the biggest waste of time and (her) money. All they did was put a bit of exfoliating gel on my feel and exfoliate them. The she cut my cuticles :eek: As a beauty therapist myself from years ago I thought this technique was totally outdated for this exact reason - she cut me. Yay, go the cross infection! Then she burnt me with the file while she was filing double time on my toenails. It was the most disgusting display of unprofessionalism I've ever seen in a 'reputable' salon (big national name, big prices).

Draught - your thread has inspired me to attack my heals myself. :D Surely there's some sort of humantiarian award for that :p

[SixtiesChild]

Hi girls,

One thing to add to the treatment of cracked heels is go to the beach for a long walk or a swim etc... The salt water and crushed shells and sand will work wonders for your feet, try it and see. It's a treatment in itself. If you happen to live close to a beach take advantage of it's healing properties a few times a week.

When treating something, it helps to know the cause and as far as I know, cracked heels are caused by the fungus that grows on the feet. Also, pregnancy makes it worse because hormones release more fat onto the skin and the fungus loves to feed on this.
So, the fungus feeds on the skin and cracks begin to appear, as the surrounding skin becomes dehydrated and hard skin develops. Everyone has this fungus on their feet but if you've got some cracks that are quite deep and stubborn it may be worthwhile to use a creme from the chemist such as Lamisil. This kills the fungus and this gives the skin a chance to heal.
I too have tried exfoliating and buffing the skin which works for the hardened skin and shallow cracks but to repair the deeper cracks I think an antifungal cream can help.

I am on a mission to heal the skin on my cracked feet, before the baby is born in March so I thought it wouldn't hurt to share what I know about this problem.:)

[Pixie]

I don't have baby bottom heels but they are pretty good...I pumice mine and put olive oil on them ;)

also peppermit cream from the body shop is fantastic :D

And I live in my sandals BTW

[Mamaduke]

II pumice mine and put olive oil on them ;)


Is there no end to the amazing qualities of olive oil?!!!:p