cracked hands & feet

[PositivePete]

Bit gross but I'm in so much pain, I can hardly walk on my heels as they are so cracked

My right thumb & middle fingers are the same

I'm using E45 but nothing works!

Help!

[EmilyPunkhurst]

I like Aquaphor - it helps stop my hands getting so bad they bleed. Although I expect its on a long list of things you've already tried?

It sounds horrible. I'm so sorry.

[IdentityRequest1]

Have you tried Kiehl's Creme du Corps with gloves/socks on overnight. I didn't think it would do anything, but found it great - worth a try?

[Wolpertinger]

Basically you need a cream with 25% urea like Flexitol Heel Balm.

It will sting like crazy the first time you put it on but if you put it on twice a day the cracks will be healed within a week.

[Milkwagon]

Have same problem with dermatitis on hands and cracked finger tips and hang nails. I've tried so many different things and now keep tubs of Atrixo next to taps in the house. However last week I bought Flexitol cuticle and nail cream which is starting to work well and Atrixo regenerating treatment.

[VimFuego101]

Could you slap on tons of cream, put socks on and leave overnight? Or a footner treatment?

[coffeenut]

Bepanthen has been BRILLIANT on my hands - slather on every night and as much as possible during he day (it is annoying during the day though as is quite greasy). I'm also using on my feet at night along with gentle buffing. I agree Flexitol or urea is better for cracked feet though.

[TheSpectreOfMorningtonCrescent]

Lotil is the only thing Ive ever used that has cleared up "Keens"-big deep sore cracks on fingers. And flexitol for cracks in my feet that I'd had for years.

[Onsera3]

Flexitol works for my feet. They do hands one too.

[motherinferior]

I smother my feet every night in that blue CCS foot cream you get in Boots and it's the best I've used (haven't tried Flexitol yet though). And Avene and Eucerin both do very good hand creams - Eucerin's has urea (and there is a good foot cream too). Do NOT do a peeling treatment while they're in this state - they sound far too damaged for it! Much sympathy. My hands and feet would be perpetually fissured if I didn't slap unguents onto them 24/7.

[motherinferior]

Ooh, and also it might be that you - like me - have the added joy of a fungal infection on top. In which case Lamisil seems to be the best way to tackle it (recommended by my GP and it does work). I know whereof I speak.

[Wolpertinger]

CCS is OK but not enough urea for persistent cracks - that's when you need the 25% of Flexitol.

I had painful cracks for about a year that I thought I'd never get rid of, couldnt believe it when chiropodist said they would go in a week - and they did! I don't even need foot cream any more, after thinking I needed to slather stuff on night and day, the cracks have never come back.

[TigerTeatime]

Flexitol heel balm - can also use on hands but its greasy so use at night with cotton gloves. Body shop sell cotton gloves but you can easily get some online. Put cotton socks on overnight too to let the cream really soak in.

Flexitol hand balm also has urea (but lower % I think), so you can use this on your hands during the day and once the cracks have heeled.

[motherinferior]

I'll try Flexitol.

[getoffthattabletnow]

Agree with Flexitol.Once hands are sorted use Aveeno hand cream every night and morning.I have very sore dermatitis-ridden hands and Aveeno is the only thing keeping the soreness away.Also antibacterial hand soap exacerbates any flare up.

[motherinferior]

Yes, Aveeno is surprisingly fab.

[shoofly]

Snowfire is brilliant for cracks and splits on hands. I have one in the car, 1 by the sink and 1 in the car & cotton gloves and stacks of hand cream every night

[carrie74]

Another recommendation for Flexitol - clears my heels up within 3 days (applied morning and night).

Why do heels crack though? Mine are always at their worst when we go on holiday at Easter (so from socks and slippers/boots in UK to flip flops/sandals in USA).

[Oldisthenewblack]

The one thing I've found to be brilliant for cracked heels (and hands!) is Neutrogena hand cream. The heavy duty, Norwegian formula one. It starts to heal the foot cracks in two nights.

[BagelSuffragette]

Skin Salvation from Pure Potions, great for any dry skin.

Pure organic coconut oil (slathered on as much as poss during day and again at night, sleep with socks on)

[Pupsiecola]

Do you eat lots of fish or take EFA supplements? These really help with dry skin (I appreciate it's a severe case but thought it was worth mentioning).

[Tate15]

I had a very painful fissure appear once under my foot and in between toes.

I tried everything and it was still split. I used superglue and it was bloody marvellous and healed very quickly.

Other than that one time I don't have rough or dry skin as I moisturise my feet at bedtime and put on socks.

I do a lot of walking every day.

[PositivePete]

SUPERGLUE! Didn't it sting like crazy.

I've gone down the Eurea route & applying it like a mad woman

My dry skin is terrible so good advice on the supplements

[hugoagogo]

E45 could be making it worse, it contains lanolin which some people are allergic too.

I would try something super greasy like epaderm ointment and apply it several times a day.

[opioneers]

I get Flexitol on prescription for cracked heels. I also get stuff called Haelan tape, which is transparent plasters on steroids (quite literally). You stick it over the crack and it softens and heals it over night.

[superbfairywren]

Flexitol is a good quick fix, if you apply once or twice a day followed by cottong socks/gloves. But on feet, any moisturiser/foot cream liberally applied plus cotton socks should help, just not as quickly as flexitol.