Re: How to Treat Heel Cracks on Feet

mikewalker@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
It seems the older I get the worse my feet crack and split.
Especially my heels. This happens more in the winter than in warmer
weather. I have noticed that they always crack in the same places,
like the crack is a permanent weak spot, and even in warm weather
those spots are indented like valleys. I do apply lotion and oily
stuff, especially in colder weather, but it never fails that I will
get painful cracks every winter, and sometimes they bleed.

Someone told me to take those sandpaper sticks sold at drug stores,
and grind them down to get off the callouses. I started doing this,
but I finally switched to sheets of coarse sandpaper because it would
take forever with those sticks. I have been grinding off the
callouses until I get to tender flesh. Then I apply an oily lotion.

My question is this: If I keep doing this on a regular basis, will I
eventually grind the skin down to the bottom of those permanent cracks
and form a new heel? It seems to me that the cause of the cracks is
because there is such a thick layer of callous that the skin can not
flex properly and thus has formed these weak areas which are where the
cracks occur.

Is this correct?

The thick callous keeps sub surface oils from reaching the surface.
Also hasn't enough blood supply to heal properly.

I mentioned this to my family doctor who said to just keep applying
lotion, but said if it's serious, he could refer me to a foot
specialist. I dont have medical insurance, and it's not life
threatening, so I declined. I am sure there is a home remedy, that I
can do.

Can anyone shed any further information on this subject?
All advice appreciated.

Mike

Just pumice them, slather with petroleum jelly and put on socks.
There are even socks made especially for problem heals. They don't
absorb the lubricant the way cotton socks will.

Dorothy
.

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