Help! What can I do about these hideous feet? Warning: pic of hideous feet included

[Aberforthsgoat]

I apologise for sharing these cloven hooves but Jesus Christ they are painful and nothing seems to work
I always suffer from dry heels but am carrying extra baby weight still and I think it's made it worse as I have more splits and they're really.deep

I'm using flexitol every night but it seems to soften them a bit then the cracks actually get worse

Can anyone help? I'm desperate they really hurt to walk on and look hideous

[MrsJoshNavidi]

Jeez, that looks painful!
Longer term, I'd suggest a chiropodist - they can work wonders.
Shorter term, there are all sorts of creams and potions I've seen recommended on MN, and someone will pop up soon to recommend something I'm sure.
Good luck - hope you get it sorted.

[Aberforthsgoat]

They really are! Chiropodist will be my first stop when this is all over. I filed them with a foot file and I think it's made it a hundred times worse!

[lettheshadows]

Dear lord, that looks painful. Get thee to a chiropodist / chiropractor ASAP. I know many are still working - it is worth paying privately if you can. This will speed things up, which is what you need with those cracks.

In the mean time slather on Flexitol before bed and sleep in cotton socks. After having a bath, use Newton's Chiropody sponge (Amazon) and you might start to make a dent in it.

[lettheshadows]

Ffs I meant chiropodist/ podiatrist

[binkyboinky]

I second Newtons chiropody sponge, it's worked wonders on mine.

[Ihopeyourcakeisshit]

Until you can get to a chiropody I would recommend a Newton's chiropody sponge, you should find them online if you are not shopping.
Soak your feet and then rub a bar of soap on the sponge and gently scrub away. Then slather in cream and socks and repeat a few days later.

[Bella2020]

Please don't use a foot file! Believe it or not, my heels and toes were even worse than yours; so bad that bacteria could get in and give me Cellulitis! At times I could barely put my feet on the floor, it was so painful, and the cuts bled a lot.

I would start by using Cetraben frequently (this was prescribed for me by a Dermatologist but you can get it OTC) during the day. At night, slather on Cetraben then slather on yellow soft Paraffin ointment from the pharmacy. Wrap your feet in cling film and put on a pair of socks.
Doing this is the only thing that stops my heels and toes from drying out and cracking again.

The Dermatologist said my issues were caused by Psoriasis, so that might be something to look into after ths lockdown is over. You might want to try some Betamethasone cream, too. Your pharmacist should be able to advise.
Best wishes and hope it clears up soon. I know how painful and unsightly it is. I really feel for you.

[Aberforthsgoat]

Thank you so much everyone it's silly in the grand scheme of things but it's really getting me down

[MrsJoshNavidi]

It's not silly at all.
You could get an infection because of the cracks, and if it's painful now, it can only get worse.

Good luck

[Puppymania]

I use flexitol every morning after a shower, recommended by my chiropodist. I normally see her every six weeks too. My heels used to be like yours, keep up with the cream. Good luck.

[Mojitomogul]

Double base cream might help

[Notonmyshift]

Newton sponges followed by foot cream

[Windyatthebeach]

Have you tried those treatment plastic socks?

[KittenVsBox]

Which flexitol are you using? You need the 40% urea.
Bizarrely, I also find the boots soap and glory heal genius good. Not sure what is in it.

I'd soak in the evening, use a newtons sponge, pat dry, slather on flexitol, then put socks on.

Dont attempt this in the morning, or you will slide about all over the place!!!

[seltaeb]

Vaseline in the cracks may help heal them, and keep using urea cream.

[WardrobeTeddy]

Reiterate what pps said about covering them in Vaseline/flexitol/anything greasy and moisturising and putting on socks and sleeping in it.

[Aberforthsgoat]

Thank you for all the tips
And the tip about not applying in the morning
I'm about to have a soak in the bath and ordered a pack of Newton's sponges so hopefully they will arrive in the next week
I'll try vaseline and socks tonight
I have a couple of different flexitol creams so I will have a look and check

[Wombatstew]

You need this it really does work
www.scholl.co.uk/products/scholl-cracked-heel-repair-cream-active-repair-k-plus?variant=6949796642881

[PrimeraVez]

Ouch! You poor thing, that looks sore!

When mine were bad before, the chiropodist recommended using micropore tape to ‘hold’ the split together. Definitely don’t file as unless you go in the right direction, you’re just exacerbating it.
I would tape them up as best as you can, whack on tons and tons of Flexitol and put on a pair of socks.

Try and refrain from going bare foot as much as possible. And then book in with a chiropodist as soon as you can!

[Fluffycloudland77]

Urea based creams like flexitol need the feet to be soaked for 10 mins prior to use or there’s nothing for the urea to work with.

A tube of double base gel would sort those heels out. You don’t rub it in though, it doesn’t work if you rub it in.

[Pineappletree33]

Vaseline, something sweaty like bags or cling film and socks at bed time. Really try and fill the cracks with Vaseline. Will work really quickly.

[Xylophonics]

CCS footcare cream is good

[reallifegetsintheway2]

I would soak them in the shower or bath, then get a disposable razor and cut it off. I promise you it wont hurt- I do it regularly. All the foot cream in the world wont heal those cracks. Get rid of the dead skin then use any of the creams recommended above.

[reallifegetsintheway2]

basically shave it off!

[Aberforthsgoat]

@reallifegetsintheway2 Razoring it off won't hurt?! But it's so painful already I can't get my head around that not hurting I'm picturing a bloodbath in the bathroom