Semi-Daily Journal

Oww, cracked feet, know that one.

If you're getting cracks in the thin skin around the base of your toes or on your insteps, heavy moisturizers are your only salvation. But if it's the outside edges of your heels or other heavily callused areas that are cracking, I know two nonstandard treatments.

One is to soak them for a long time. Then, while still soaking, take a disposable safety razor and carefully shave off the excess callus. Err on the side of caution. When your feet are dry again, sand down the rough bits.

My friend Erik Olson told me about supergluing the cracks together, which is not something that would have occurred to me. I've tried it now a few times on three-cornered cracks, and it's worked pretty well. You wouldn't want to do it if the cracks went down into live flesh.

Meanwhile: Ow. Sympathies.

Check also for low grade chronic foot fungus (tinea pedis) ... it can last for decades and harden and thicken the soles of the feet which leads to cracking. And no, the OTC topical athletes foot meds will not cure it as the skin on the soles is too thick for them to be effective. If present, it usually takes a few weeks of an oral Rx antifungal med.

I had the same problem. It was so bad that it hurt to walk. My doctor told me to use a 12% lactic acid lotion and it works really good. Its been over a year now, and only had one crack since then. The lotion is called AmLactin and is made by Upsher-Smith. Good luck.

thank you. I have lived in Ca all my life, and have been offered many different cures except for these.

I even went to a dermatologist who just shrugged his shoulders and said, "gosh, I just don't know what to do for that." I said, "gosh, I just forgot how to write a check."

Up until now, I was trying (everyday), to pumice and then applying aquafor with a pair of socks after my shower.

I'll try these new remedies. Thank you.
--Deb

thank you. I have lived in Ca all my life, and have been offered many different cures except for these.

I even went to a dermatologist who just shrugged his shoulders and said, "gosh, I just don't know what to do for that." I said, "gosh, I just forgot how to write a check."

Up until now, I was trying (everyday), to pumice and then applying aquafor with a pair of socks after my shower.

I'll try these new remedies. Thank you.
--Deb

thank you. I have lived in Ca all my life, and have been offered many different cures except for these.

I even went to a dermatologist who just shrugged his shoulders and said, "gosh, I just don't know what to do for that." I said, "gosh, I just forgot how to write a check."

Up until now, I was trying (everyday), to pumice and then applying aquafor with a pair of socks after my shower.

I'll try these new remedies. Thank you.
--Deb