Really, really revolting feet.

[Undercoverbanana]

Sorry about this but I need to tackle this.

I spent lots of time in running shoes/trainers/cycling shoes.

My toenails are thick and sort of grow in thickness as much as length. Many of them are discoloured and loose and I often lose toenails completely.

I have thick, ugly skin on my heels, toes and balls of my feet.

Yesterday I started to tackle it. I used some really industrial toenail clippers and managed to get the nails into a reasonable shape and applied some shiny, dark nail varnish to disguise the ugliness. Because the nails are so oddly shaped, this was really tricky to do.

But the hard skin!!!! I used a pumice stone and it just went on and on and on and looked even worse!

What are your secrets? I can’t go for a pedicure because I’ve never done that and would be too ashamed. Apart from the nails and the hard skin I have neat, nicely shaped feet that look good in sandals.

Please share your knowledge!!!!

I would, as others have said, go to a professional and get them to help you as much as they can. Chances are that you might need a few sessions (eg monthly) as removing all the hard skin at once could leave your feet feeling raw and sore so it’s much healthier to nurse your feet gradually. After that get pedicures every so often. They won’t judge your feet, I’m sure they’re used to it. Especially if you explain that you run and exercise a lot

Not sure what you can do about the thickness of your nails. Might be something worth mentioning in passing when you next see your gp? You could probably file the actual nail to be thinner, but it would only grow thick again so you’ll have ridges.

Might be an idea to slather on a specialist foot moisturiser at night for the foreseeable future. I love lush pink peppermint but it’s not very heavy duty. In fact, for the time being you could probably thickly cost your feet in vaseline or eucerin until they start to soften up.

You need one of these. They are so satisfying to use. Be careful though..

I bought this today on the advice of a friend.

I think it’s similar to the Newton Sponge thing that has been recommended upthread.

I was dubious because it seems like it’s just a pumice stone.

But no. No, no, no.

It is still a work in progress but the disgusting feet are about 50% better already. And smooth. In fact, I think I actually have more feeling in my feet without all that hard skin!

I might even be about an inch shorter!!!!! 😂

Try a Scholl pedi hard skin remover. It's a bit like sandpaper on an electric roller. Will knock them into shape. About 40 quid.

NHS Podiatrist here (don;t ask me anything , that's a completely different thread )

Unless you're a High Risk person or live somewhere with Open Access you'll most likely need to go private (and TBH , the waiting time for NHS Podiatry is weeks and it sounds like you need quicker)

Make sure they've done their required Degree ( or Diploma if they're ancient like me) and be HCP registered (used to be State Registered)

Podiatrists are never horrified by what a patients feet are like , we have seen it all , trust me .
One or two treatments will set you on your way to Lovely Feet