This is not for the faint-hearted

I have yucky feet--they look pretty nice . . .but :evil:

they are the sweatiest, stinkiest things on the planet. I got them from my dad. I only wear cotton or wool socks, sandals in the summer--you know. Now that I'm in my thirties they have thick calluses and I just got my first crack at the base of my pinkie toe. Ow!

Are any of you afflicted with this malady? I'm good about moisturizing after a bath or shower, but "exfoliating" is a scary idea. Those pumice stones and dry sanding stones don't touch those calluses. I've had one pedicure (in my life) and she shaved :shock: the calluses off. I'm a bit chicken to do it myself, and they did come back.

Help, the feet are only get worse as the years drift by and my dad's feet are a mess. Saints preserve me from yucky feet!

Hi scarlett! I use a couple of Bare Escentual foot products that really work for me. The first is a foot scrub, it's got walnut shells or something in it, very scrubby! Then when I get out of the shower I use a foot lotion that has a strong AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) in it, this will loosen up old skin so you can scrub it off next time you are in the shower. I get them at qvc.com. Let me see if I can find a link...durn, it won't let me make a link, its that javabox stuff. :? Anyway, it seems to me you could easily find similar products at the drugstore.

My DH jogs a lot and gets painful callusus, he keeps a pumice stone in the shower and briefly buffs them every time he showers. I wouldn't try to pumice them off all at once (and the shaving thing sounds scary to me too!) I would just keep at it, slow and steady.

Another thing I like to do especially in the winter, is slather on lots of shea butter and wear socks to bed. :P

Hi Scarlett,

I don't want to scare you, but maybe you could try going to a doctor.

I've read that thick, scaly, cracking skin on the feet is fungus and should be treated with medication.

Your poor feet! My toes are curling in sympathy :) I get calluses too, on my heels and one in the middle of the ball of my foot. And my heels begin to crack in the summertime if I don't use my "implements" in the shower everyday.

For some reason, when I wear a lot of sandals and slides and flip flops in the summer, my heels get dry and cracked (naturally when I want them to look their best). So to counteract, I use Dulci's trick of shea butter and socks to bed (or at least around the house--I can't sleep long in socks).

I've seen those shaver things in the salons, though they haven't used one on my feet yet. I do have a tool that looks sort of like a fine cheese grater on one end, and I use that every other morning in the shower. Whenever I use a pumice stone, I feel like my feet are grinding the pumice rather than the other way around.

On the sock issue, often cotton socks are one of the worse things for feet. When they get wet, they stay wet. In this case, wool or synthetic is a better fabric as it wicks moisture away from your feet. They also keep their shape better, so they'll hug your foot rather than shift around like cotton.

Well, now that I've rambled on waaay too much about feet, I'll add that improving the condition of your feet isn't hard, but you have to be consistent and persistent about changes. One of the most helpful habits I've formed is to never put socks on without using a bit of shea butter or heavy lotion first.

HTH!

Pumice stones and thick thick moisturizer in socks work wonders. My feet looked like crap and at the whining of my oldest DH started doing this the end of last summer, and of course mine get better during the winter, can't go barefoot in snow!!! But have kept it up and have pretty feet even now in the freakin 95 degree heat!!!

I'd second (or third?) the pumice and moisturizer - my mom's got terrible feet (ie, her heels crack and bleed terribly) and she found that when she takes care of them regularly, the difference is amazing.

She uses a foot creme that I make - but if you find any heavy foot creme with plant oils and butters, it should help. Keeping it on overnight works the best, with our experience!

Rachel

yes, a nice warm foot soak followed by a pumice and creme

and burtbees coconut foot creme rocks :rockerdude:

if you are a kitchen-witch,
try http://www.makeyourowncosmetics.com/recipes/index.asp?cat=hfh

http://www.makeyourowncosmetics.com/recipes/viewrec.asp?id=160&cat=hfh seems to be a good recipe for your foot problem.

also try vaseline mixed with honey and lemon juice on your foot at night time and cover with socks. this helps too.

i recently made my own foot creme. i added shea, cocoa butter and microwaved all these, whipped well and refrigerated. i make in very small quantities and use it within a week.

Those shaving devices aren't as scary as they look, I use one occasionally when I neglected my feet for too long. Just go slowly and don't take off too much, you always need a thin layer of tough skin for protection. If you keep the calluses at bay by using pumice or files regularly you won't need the heavy duty implements.
I use a file (looks like a giant nail emery board with a handle) about twice a week on either dry or well soaked skin, and use hand cream on my feet after every wash.

Apart from that the absolute best way to get pretty, non-stinky feet is to walk barefoot as much as you can. Not only in the house, but outside as well. I rarely wear shoes unless I have to for work or due to weather conditions (less than 15 degrees celsius is too cold for me personally, and over 30 the concrete is sometimes too hot to walk on). In the area where I live that means I can have perfect feet for about six months a year, the rest of the time I just throw my shoes away the minute I get inside the house.

And no, street dirt isn't a problem - nothing water, detergent (soap is too drying for me) and a brush couldn't take care of. You'd never guess I walk barefoot that much if you looked at my feet after I washed them ...
Plus I find it's a sensual experience - you literally add another sense (touch) to your daily life. It's almost as much fun as feeling your long hair brush your back :)

No no....the end-all, be-all........get a prescription for Lac-Hydrin lotion (or cream)! Use this every night before bed. Smother your feet in it, and wear a lightweight pair of socks to bed. Your feet will be baby-butt smooth in a week (or less)! When your feet are to their desired softness and callous-free,use it intermittenly. In the winter, use it often, and use it before putting on socks and shoes. Do it.....go get a prescription. You'll be glad.

Edit: This will get rid of your cracks, sorry -- not callouses. BUT, it will help soften your callouses and make them easier to pumice.

This is great advice! Thank-you all for braving the "ick" factor. Hollie, I could have sworn that I saw Lac-Hydrin in CVS this evening. Maybe it is available OTC now, or somebody made a mistake--better go get it now. :)
(or I am seeing things).

Hi Scarlett,

I don't want to scare you, but maybe you could try going to a doctor.

I've read that thick, scaly, cracking skin on the feet is fungus and should be treated with medication.

I've always had really thick callouses on my heels. They would crack sooooo deep. I've read recently the same thing Anne says. That *some* callouses might actually be a form of athlete's foot (or some other fungus).

I've used the shaver thingy, the cheese grater thingy, the emery board looking thingy, pumice thingies, buffing cleansers, and lotions ad nauseum! The best things I've found are the shaver, cheese grater and emery board.

I shave my heels every month or 2. After I shave them, I use the grater or emery to buff them up and smooth up the heels.

I'm terrible about upkeep, God knows how I ever got long hair, but I'm not big on upkeep. No coloring, perming, etc. Too much effort and time.

Call me lazy. As LJ says, I've been called worse! ;)

I love my callous shaver! It's a great excuse to soak in the tub! :) And no more cracking heels!

I *do* think I'll mention my heels the next time I go to the doctor and see about getting some sort of anti-fungal stuff! <blech>!

This is great advice! Thank-you all for braving the "ick" factor. Hollie, I could have sworn that I saw Lac-Hydrin in CVS this evening. Maybe it is available OTC now, or somebody made a mistake--better go get it now. :)
(or I am seeing things).

Hey, that's great if you can get it OTC!!

FYI, Lac-Hydrin is the same thing as AmLactin 12% but the AmLactin isn't prescription. ;)

Another FYI, I believe that in the U.S. it's illegal for a salon to use those shavers on people. I need to track down where I found it, but it's considered a surgical instrument. Yup, even though you can purchase them at the store. I'll find out where I read that (I think it was one of my derm sites I frequent) and get back to you.

HTHS!
Steph
:)

FYI, Lac-Hydrin is the same thing as AmLactin 12% but the AmLactin isn't prescription. ;)

Oooo....that's good to know. Thanks!

Hollie, you were right: The Lac-Hydrin that it OTC is called "Lac-Hydrin Five" because it is only 5%. The 12% is only available by perscription.

Stephanie mentioned Am-Lac, and I haven't been able to find that. And that heel shaving part, oh my! The salon I went to is "upscale"--hope they sterilized it. Eeeek!

I'd rather have a massage anyway. If I ever decide to spend $ on pampering--that is what it will be. I can paint my own toenails. :D

And TBear, Oh I hope we don't have a friendly foot fungus. Icky Yucky.

Here's a link. This site has a TON of information in it, very good to browse around if you're interested.

http://dermadoctor.com/pages/branddetail65.asp?x=1&WID=%7B6F335E10%2DD2EC%2D11D 7%2D918A%2D0002B330452B%7D

I'm on the verge of ordering some, and have previously searched for a lower price but was unable to find one. Just an "FYI."

HTHS!
Steph
:)

scarlett, Are you looking for this?

http://www.drugstore.com/search/search.asp?search=Am-Lac&searchtype=1&trx=28198&trxp1=60&srchtree=1

Scarlett, if the Am-Lactin is cheaper than Rx Lac-Hydrin, I'd go for it. I don't know what Lac-Hydrin runs as my insurance pays part.

Oooh! thanks for the links

I'm going to do a test run with the 5% stuff and then order the 12% if it helps.

Thank-you.

My piggies thank you, all ten of them.
Got to go home now weeeweeeweeewee.

My piggies thank you, all ten of them.
Got to go home now weeeweeeweeewee.


Bwahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D

Hi Scarlett,

I don't want to scare you, but maybe you could try going to a doctor.

I've read that thick, scaly, cracking skin on the feet is fungus and should be treated with medication.

Ok, now my tootsies are itching. Is it the mere suggestion--or do I have a gazillion little friends down there? Oh goody, now I need to go to the doctor! :D

Scarlett,

I'm not sure why your feet hurt now, maybe they heard you talking about them :shock: . I just wanted to say thank you for posting this thread because I have a problem with homely looking heels and now I have an order for Am-Lactin coming from Drugstore.com!!! I have used many different lotion treatments including some for diabetics with Urea in them but they didn't help that much. That's what I get for wandering around without shoes for so long!!!

Hi Scarlett,

I don't want to scare you, but maybe you could try going to a doctor.

I've read that thick, scaly, cracking skin on the feet is fungus and should be treated with medication.

Ok, now my tootsies are itching. Is it the mere suggestion--or do I have a gazillion little friends down there? Oh goody, now I need to go to the doctor! :D

Hey Scarlett,

All of the women in my family have the thick, cracking heals and I noticed it when I was about 22. I've always used the sandpaper type foot files and lots of alpha hydroxy lotion but I have a re-check for my hand (doctor) on the third and I'm going to show him my feet (un-lotioned :rolleyes: ) and see what he thinks.

My feet aren't itching but my husband had athlete's foot a few months ago and he treated it with over the counter creams and they didn't help much, so I went to my herb books and looked and he tried soaking his feet in warm water with tea tree oil, 5-7 drops per 4 oz of water and soak once a day for 20 minutes, for five consecutive days.

Hubby had the peeling, itching and redness, not the thick skin. He actually has soft, soft feet :rolleyes: , but he wears high top boots every day for work, that's how he got athlete's foot.

Anyway, it did clear up after he used the tea tree oil.

My feet aren't that bad 'cuz I keep up with the scrubs and lotion, but I'd like to hear from my doctor if the thick skin is dry skin or fungus :shock: ugh, I know.

If you DO go to the doctor let me know what he says, I may see my doctor sooner, but my appt. is for the 3rd and I'll let you all know what he says.

(edited for sp)

My feet aren't itching but my husband had athlete's foot a few months ago and he treated it with over the counter creams and they didn't help much, so I went to my herb books and looked and he tried soaking his feet in warm water with tea tree oil, 5-7 drops per 4 oz of water and soak once a day for 20 minutes, for five consecutive days.

Hubby had the peeling, itching and redness, not the thick skin. He actually has soft, soft feet :rolleyes: , but he wears high top boots every day for work, that's how he got athlete's foot.

Anyway, it did clear up after he used the tea tree oil.

Oh, goody! What a great idea. I had been thinking about using tea tree oil, but had no idea on "how." Duh! I'll have to try that.

And if this naughty girl ever gets to the doctor, I'll let you know what he says. It isn't that I hate doctors, I just hate going to them (with the munchkins especially).

Earth Therapeutics' Foot Repair cream has been a godsend:

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/vitanet/footrepwitte.html

You can also find it at Whole Foods, and maybe other health food stores. My BF has one "bad foot", that he's gone to doctors for, they've prescribed many different ointments and athlete's foot medications, and nothing has worked until this stuff. His whole foot gets all white itchy scaly, peeling and cracked with huge cracked calluses and even bleeding. This stuff used every night heals it up in a week or so, it's incredible. He has to keep using it or the badness will creep back but it does work as long as he uses it every few days.

It has tea tree oil in it along with other things so it would agree with what Anne suggested.

And if this naughty girl ever gets to the doctor, I'll let you know what he says. It isn't that I hate doctors, I just hate going to them (with the munchkins especially).

LOL, okay I'll be the enabler ;) and let you know what my doctor says.

If you do use the tea tree oil make sure you keep socks on after you use it, it's toxic if ingested and you don't want to get any on your floors if you have kids or pets crawling around.

I'm terrified of my cats stepping in anything that they could get on their paws and then lick off later, hubby would always put on a pair of thick socks after drying his feet to make sure he didn't spread the oil anywhere the cats could step in it.

Okay you guys, I bought some Am-Lactin and used it three times and I swear my heels look better! Thank you!

Well I went to the doctor. I had to. Somehow I jammed a splinter under my fingernail and I had to get antibiotics and a tetanus shot. So I figured I ask about my feet.

No fungi! Yea! Just bad genes. He did prescribe some cream for me. It seems to contain urea(?) but I haven't had it filled and I can't read his writing. Hope the pharmacist can. :D

I'm sorry to hear about the splinter and tetnus shot! :shock: EEEEE!!!! Those darn tetnus shots are enough to make me want to live in a box for the rest of my life! *shudder* Mean things!

Exfoliating lotions/creams with urea in them work very well. I want to say that it's comparable to the AmLactin you purchased (or, of course, LacHydrin). When you go to get your prescription filled, I'd definitely ask to see if one is stronger than the other (12% Lactic Acid as opposed to the percentage of Urea in your prescription).

Anyway, have you been using the AmLactin at all? I still haven't bitten the bullet and purchased any. I'm interested to see how well it works on calloused feet.

*sending you happy, healing, soothing vibes for the tetnus location*
Steph
:D

I've used AmLactin and it works wonderfully! It works even better than the lotions with urea that I've tried. I've even ordered some AmLactin for my mom.

Really?! Okay, I'm sold. LOL! I'm going to order some. :rolleyes:

THANK YOU!!! :D