| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Aug 21 2009 : 08:59:41 AM
Can anyone help? I've tried all these over the counter creams and scrubs and whatever, and nothing, I mean nothing, gets rid of these deep cracks and dry patches on my heels and toes. I was a ballerina, so my feet have certainly seen better days, but you'd think since they haven't been shoved in pointe shoes in over 10 years that they'd look a little better.
Anyone have this problem? What do you use as a solution? I'm embarrased to touch my husband in bed with my feet!!!
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| twink |
Posted - Nov 09 2009 : 09:19:14 AM
Lots of great information on this thread. I agree with bag balm, or any utter cream (from a vet if you can't find it elsewhere) and all the other natural stuff that is suggested, including the essential oils and the vinegar. I also agree with staying away from commercial products which contain petroleum based ingredients.
One other suggestion I'll toss out there is to stay away from a Ped Egg. I tried it too, and it worked ok the first time, but then it started making my feet worse. My feet weren't really ALL that bad to begin with, but in summer I like to wear sandals and we had this wedding ....
But anyway, right before my son's wedding I went in for my first ever professional pedicure. That gal told me that most people are finding that the Ped Egg causes more harm than good, because it literally grates the skin off your feet rather than just smoothing it. IOW, it takes off too much skin. She also told me (as someone mentioned here) to use either a foot file or a pumice stone on feet that are wet sometimes and then dry the next time. The skin on my feet is finally back to normal, just from the filing method.
I ordered some pure shea butter from www.mountainroseherbs.com and also some pure Vitamin E oil and mixed them together. Socks at night, worked like a charm. I'm sure there are other "natural" things which work well, too, as suggested here. The one lady (Melody?) who has her own line of foot products probably sells good stuff, too. Even pure olive oil works well, it's just not as fast.
Good luck!
-Deb
http://healthtalk.6.forumer.com/index.php
Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you'll land amongst the stars. - Anonymous |
| naturemaiden |
Posted - Nov 09 2009 : 04:21:45 AM
Hi Jonni,
just came across this topic - I go barefoot a lot as well, and thats what motivated me to create the foot care products.
I now have another new foot care product, a foot care stick, The ingredients: Beeswax, Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Grape Seed Oil, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, & the Essential Oils of Tea Tree & Peppermint.- it is non greasy and i use it myself everynight.
btw- Thanks Melody for your kind words about my products 
Heres the link for my foot care products http://www.naturemaiden.com/footcare.html
ALSO dont forget to use the farmgirl discount: enter FARMGIRL20 @ checkout.
Connie
www.NatureMaiden.com -Handcrafted Bath & Body Products that I make myself- including soaps, salves, lotion bars, lip balms, natural deodorants, body sprays, hydrosols, salt scrubs, and MUCH more!
http://naturemaidenbathbodyproduct.blogspot.com/(Business Blog)
http://flowerchild-lifeinthegarden.blogspot.com/(Personal blog)
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| txbikergirl |
Posted - Oct 29 2009 : 7:34:37 PM
quote:
Originally posted by FebruaryViolet
Can anyone help? I've tried all these over the counter creams and scrubs and whatever, and nothing, I mean nothing, gets rid of these deep cracks and dry patches on my heels and toes. I was a ballerina, so my feet have certainly seen better days, but you'd think since they haven't been shoved in pointe shoes in over 10 years that they'd look a little better.
Lots of GREAT solution presented already, but one thing I did see addressed was your shoes (when you are wearing them!). Lots of shoes use cork in the foot bed, which literally wicks the moisture out of your feet. Some are obvious, like Birkenstocks, but I am finding more and more that many less obvious brands do so. And you don't see the cork because there is a piece of leather over it.
I found this out the hard way, as you may have guessed. My feet, which I care for very well and won't let them dry and crack at all, started doing just that. Found out it was the cork. Happened two more times with new shoes, and now I actually research shoes before buying to find out their content.
Anyway, keep it in mind as you don't want to spend all the time and battle an unknown enemy constantly...
*********************************************************
Bread the Mary Jane Way
- started Mother 6/28/09
- Hodgson Mill Organic unbleached flour
- well water w/ reverse osmosis filter
- feeding twice as much once a day to eliminate excess hooch
- first sourdough loaf 7/25/09 - GREAT!
- using KA bread flour for loafs |
| Linda Houston |
Posted - Sep 21 2009 : 10:43:45 AM
What is Bagbalm and where does one buy this? |
| Autumn Leaves |
Posted - Sep 09 2009 : 10:50:01 AM
Yep me too on the yucky feet! Going barefoot is for sure my problem. I have been using store bought items and nothing seeems to work except for wintertime when I have to wear shoes an socks, by spring they are lovely and then back out to the yard! I have noticed using the grater thing right after the shower when the skin is moist removes a lot more. Then I just do good quality lotion and sockies to bed. I'm brand new here so I'll be looking up some of you who have products available, I was also recomended the Barter. Checking that out next.
Jennifer
Never let yesterday use up too much of today - Will Rogers |
| Linda Houston |
Posted - Sep 08 2009 : 6:44:10 PM
Thank you so much for this thread. The information is great !!! I have gotten out of the habit ordering products from you farm girls and that is going to stop. I have ordered soap and solid lotion from someone that no long is in the business and I have neglected you others that produce the same thing. My feet, my hands , my skin thanks all of you. and be looking for an order !!! I have your sites on my favorits |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Sep 04 2009 : 10:22:26 AM
I would agree with the Bag Balm suggestion. I think it works well. And I usually but a bandaid over the crack after applying BB . . . it heals up pretty quickly.
I get cracks around my fingers during the winter sometimes and I use BB for that too, cover with bandaids.
In the summer I do foot soaks, use scrubs and that is WONDERFUL for cleaning, debriding and making my feet feel "normal" again.
CJ
...from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665 |
| Thistle Cove Farm |
Posted - Aug 30 2009 : 08:41:03 AM
Use a pumice to slough off the dead skin, THEN use cream. The creams aren't going to help a lot unless you rid yourself of the dead skin. I use a pumice stone both in the shower and out on the back porch. I find using it on moist and also dry skin helps most.
Just what works for me, your mileage may differ. -smile-
Sandra @ Thistle Cove Farm ~ God's blessings on you, yours and the work of your hands & heart ~
www.thistlecovefarm.com
www.thistlecovefarm.blogspot.com |
| ZenGoddess |
Posted - Aug 28 2009 : 8:31:58 PM
This part isn't about feet but it is about vinegar. I have found that it really works, heaven help me I am just a woman,.... and if something smells in my house it's outta there and I reach for the vinegar and pour it on a dish towel. Then I wave the dish towel in the air, NO more smell! ie /try it next time you cook fish.
I also leave a dish of vinegar settin on the stove at night like when the neihbor is cleaning his barns, his barn smells worse than ours but then he has 500 some cows. Works better than a cloths pin on the nose and it dosn't hurt.
Hope this helps
Hugs,
Zens Goddess
My life goal is to Simply - Simplify my life.
http://herbalcottage.blogspot.com
http://herbalcottage.etsy.com |
| ZenGoddess |
Posted - Aug 28 2009 : 8:24:57 PM
Dilute the vinegar- you should use cider vinegar for body and the clear vinegar for household, some where around 1/2 cup to the pan that you soak your feet in will help and if you have tea tree add a couple drops of that too or lavender. They are all antifungal and tea tree and lavender can be used (neet)
meaning they do not have to be diluted. But first by make sure your not allergic, by doing the patch test first. Then you can use it neet as long as your appling it to just a spot and not all over your body.
quote:
Originally posted by kristin sherrill
I was at the Chattanooga market yesterday and found some pure shea butter. It sure ain't cheap. But I put it on last night with socks on. I will keep the socks on all day today. I hope this will help my poor ole feet.
So this is a fungus? How do you use the vinegar? Just pour it on or soak with it?
Kris
Happiness is simple.
Hugs,
Zens Goddess
My life goal is to Simply - Simplify my life.
http://herbalcottage.blogspot.com
http://herbalcottage.etsy.com |
| kissmekate |
Posted - Aug 27 2009 : 9:26:14 PM
Like you I danced when I was younger-pointe lessons. Combine that with years of factory and retail work on my feet, well they are pretty nasty and sore. I also am diabetic so they are very dry. I also go barefoot around the house most of the time. (don't tell my doc-she'll yell at me! )
I scrub them with a pumice sponge, and put tons of Gold Bond lotion (in the green bottle)and then some socks before bed. Whatever the cooling part of the lotion is feels so good! They are very soft the next morning.
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
| one_dog_per_acre |
Posted - Aug 26 2009 : 8:32:32 PM
Corn huskers lotion and badger balm :)
Trish
Make cupcakes not war!
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 24 2009 : 05:20:08 AM
I was at the Chattanooga market yesterday and found some pure shea butter. It sure ain't cheap. But I put it on last night with socks on. I will keep the socks on all day today. I hope this will help my poor ole feet.
So this is a fungus? How do you use the vinegar? Just pour it on or soak with it?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| ZenGoddess |
Posted - Aug 24 2009 : 12:03:22 AM
I would think you could use diluted vinegar for the fungus - even if you can't see it it may be a cause. I also agree get more fish oils, vit E, olive oils, etc into your system along with the good ol plain water. Depending on how long you've had the condition they say it can take twice as long to improve..... You'll be playing footsies in no time !!
Hugs,
Zens Goddess
My life goal is to Simply - Simplify my life.
http://herbalcottage.blogspot.com
http://herbalcottage.etsy.com |
| Merry |
Posted - Aug 22 2009 : 6:26:25 PM
I second the use of Melody Neece's healing balm, it works!
Merry
Farmgirl #536
http://afarminmyheart.blogspot.com/
"Nobody has ever measured, not even poets how much the heart can hold."
Zelda Fitzgerald |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 22 2009 : 5:15:04 PM
Jonni, I know exactly what you are going through. I am so embarrased about my heels. I do go barefoot but try not to outside. I cannot wear shoes without heels because it's so bad. And it's really hard to find cute shoes in summer without heels. I can't even wear flip flops anymore. Big deep cracks and I cannot make them even look halfway clean even when they are. I hate shoes, too.
I took Mrs. T. to get her hands and feet done and she insisted I get mine done, too. I was SO embarresed! I hadn't shaved my legs in months, either. I kept apologizing to the poor girl, but she's Chinese or something and doesn't speak much English. There are 2 guys that do this, too, and I just know they were talking the whole time about mu awful nasty feet. But by the time they got done, my heels were all nice and smooth and great. But it didn;t last long. I want to get one of those razor things they use there.
I have tried the Ped Egg. It works good for the first few times. I also use a file alot. But I just try to hide them as much as possible. Even right now after a shower and scrubbing them, they still look nasty.
I will try some of these suggestions, too, and hope it will work. I hope you get yours under control. I also drink lots of water and take fish oil and evening primrose oil.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Aug 22 2009 : 4:57:44 PM
I am also a barefoot gal, and also an ex dancer. My feet are like mocassins on the bottom, and sometimes crack. I use Ahava foot cream and socks overnight. Also, I file (sand) them gently on the heel with a foot file, just a little at a time, cream them and then wear socks for awhile In the winter they get better.
Farmgirl Sister # 31
www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
| electricdunce |
Posted - Aug 22 2009 : 2:54:49 PM
I read a book once, a memoir written by a doctor in Vermont, called Bag Balm and Duct Tape. One of the locals came in with that combo on his broken leg. I think Bag balm and duct tape are probably staples in most New England homes. I'll bet the natural remedies will work just as well, I just love the designs on the tins of bag balm...
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Aug 22 2009 : 10:51:22 AM
Use a scrub on your feet every day for two weeks. After scrubbing and before bed put on the good stuff that the gals are sending you. Something with shea butter and cocoa butter will really help! Use the moisturizer every day but cut the scrub back to once or twice a week after the initial two weeks. Sometimes dry cracked heels can be a foot fungus too. If all this doesn't help then you might want try an anti-fungal on your feet.
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
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| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Aug 21 2009 : 6:29:59 PM
Take a glob of bagbalm, and a handfull of epson salts, mix together and scrub your feet/heels with it, wipe off the excess and put on socks and off to bed. In 1 night, it will be a big differance.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| LakeOntarioFarmgirl |
Posted - Aug 21 2009 : 1:11:09 PM
Jonni,
Definitely try some of the natural stuff that is going to come your way! They will work better than anything else you can put on your feet! :)
I have awful problems with my skin in the winter, a few months ago I decided to go natural. Since then, I have been reading all the terrible things about Lauryl Sulfate, Laureth Sulfate, things hidden under "fragrance" etc. that are in commercial soaps, lotions, stuff like that. I have gradually made the switch so that I am only using home made castile soaps, pure oils and butters on my skin. Somewhere in one of the many books that I have read I remember seeing that some of these petroleum related products can cause cracked feet, and that they can become worse in the summer.
You'll have to report back to us on how your feet are doing!!! I am trying to convince my daughter who has the same problem to do the same thing!
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
| Bear5 |
Posted - Aug 21 2009 : 1:06:12 PM
Jonni:
Now don't laugh. Okay you can laugh just a little. I use preperation H. Of course, I put it on at night, and have to wear socks. It has helped me more than anything. Now I don't have cracked heels, and haven't for a long time. When I started, I put the PH on every night. It's been over three years now. I use the PH now maybe once a week.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
| babysmama |
Posted - Aug 21 2009 : 1:01:59 PM
I second the Ped Egg suggestion, Dr. Scholls just came out with something similar. It looks almost like a cheese grater and actually feels nice when being used and gets rid of a lot of dead skin. That and some thick lotion at night with socks should clear those feet up fairly quickly!
-Elizabeth |
| melody |
Posted - Aug 21 2009 : 1:00:56 PM
Jonni...e-mail me your address I will send you some of rosemary/lavender balm. Works wonders!! 
At night, I massage some of my balm on my poor heels... (I only wear shoes when absolutely necessary!)then slip on a pair of cotton socks and off to bed I go. In the morning they are nice and smooth...
NOT SCRATCHY!! 
Melody
Farmgirl #525
http://melodynotes-melodynotes.blogspot.com
www.lemonverbenasoap.etsy.com |
| gramadinah |
Posted - Aug 21 2009 : 12:51:25 PM
Have you tried the Ped Egg foot scraper I relly like this deal. Melody (By the Bay) Melody on this forum has a awsome balm she makes I sand off my feet put his in with cotton socks and the are soft and nice the next morning.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
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