Cracked Heels on Feet - Crazy Idea??

Two days ago my left heel cracked and it is quite deep. I have been grinding away carefully and using cream on it but it takes time to heal a heel.

I had this crazy or not idea that I could put vaseline on the heel and wrap it in plastic wrap for a few hours. I find that the creams just soak into the thin socks and then don't help.

Crazy bad or crazy good? Anyone have any great remedies?

10 years ago

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19 replies

Latest reply was from Glory

Angie

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Fashion Stylist

I believe Vicks and socks (worn overnight) is a good remedy too.

10 years ago

Nadya

Veteran

FWIW I find something with glycerin is my best bet. This is what I use to keep my always dry heels under control.
http://www.drugstore.com/zims-.....tid=182918

10 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I did the vaseline + wrap thing when I got frostbite on my toes. SO much better (but pretty messy!)

10 years ago

Suz

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Veteran

Try a little plastic bag, maybe instead of saran. You can tie it up at the ankle.

It will help, for sure.

I use this stuff: http://www.cetaphil.com/produc.....zing-cream

I use it as a facial moisturizer, too, because my skin is quite dry. Love it!

10 years ago

Vildy

Veteran

Another idea - can't find the article I read some years back - is that women who are having hormonal changes - sorry not knowing how old you are - are more prone to what is called moccasin style athlete's foot. And that Lotrimin Af, I think it was, would solve this. I was beginning to get cracking and tried it and it worked.

10 years ago

Betti

Active Member

A foot cream that contains urea works wonders. Use the sock method with it. I do it when I get into bed so I don't walk off the lotion into the socks. Here's an example of a cream: http://www.drugstore.com/eucer...../qxp139640

Also, there is a foot fungus that can make your skin crack and peel. Many get it on their heels, so you may want to try an antifungal cream if the lotion/socks thing doesn't work.

10 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

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Veteran

Thanks ladies. I will try the suggestions.

Vildy, I am 50 so you are right on. I also had a "classic" migraine about three weeks ago. My doctor told me that the majority of headaches are triggered by estrogen so I shouldn't be getting them much longer.

10 years ago

Glory

Veteran

Burts Bees sells coconut foot cream for cracked heels and it is fabulous and works quite quickly.

10 years ago

Echo

Veteran

YES, Vaseline and plastic wrap (with a cotton sock over the top) ought to work wonders. I have friends who use that method and it never fails. If that doesn't work, I would combine an anti-fungal and then put Vaseline over the top. I was not aware that Athlete's Foot could present that way. After you have it under control via the intense Vaseline therapy, I imagine that various creams with a cotton sock will work just fine as maintenance.

10 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I got the idea from the movers. I remembered how they wrapped the furniture with plastic to keep the drawers closed and thought it might work on feet.

I will unwrap before bed and check it out.

10 years ago

Jjsloane

Veteran

I prefer Aquaphor to vaseline (I have the big tub for diaper rash by my bedside) Maybe the baggie and a sock over to keep it on while you read and relax?

10 years ago

Nicole D

Veteran

You have to try this cream, by Dermal Therapy. I believe it was developed in London, Ontario. It really works but it doesn't smell great (not bad just not fragranced like I love my creams to be). I get it at Shopper's for about $12.

10 years ago

Freckles

Veteran

I use urea cream as a preventative measure and love it. Dermal therapy is great but I find it hard to apply on dry feet. You are suppose to use very little so after a nice bath it is wonderful but nights when that doesn't happen it is hard to apply and you waste a lot. I like the lotion urea 20% cream myself. It can be a lot cheaper and as a preventative every day or week or whatever measure it is fantastic.
It is preferred especially when you have a true crack as the fragrance is irritating.
When dh worked construction outside in winter without gloves his hands cracked alot and the pharmacist as well as doctor recommended the vaseline and plastic gloves. He healed well that way and started using of all things the aveeno intense relief hand cream as an every night before bed measure and it worked beautifully. If he got lazy and stopped using the aveeno for awhile it was back to vaseline and plastic gloves until healed and then started using aveeno again.
I also like the aveeno but definately use the urea at least once a week. My feet are wonderful and if I get lazy then it is urea or awhile and then start adding the aveeno.
The urea is stickier and does not dry as silky as other creams. If you are putting it on your feet and wearing socks to bed that doesn't matter but the wonderful benefits of the urea on hands can be problematic as I tear gloves off in the night so urea with a top coat of aveeno is what I do.
Of course the aveeno could be whatever cream you like. If you can't sleep in socks but want to use a preventative measure I would use urea with a top coat of another cream.
Good luck, heels cracks are not something I would wish on anyone. Hope you heal quickly.

10 years ago

Lyn D.

Veteran

I also use a urea-based cream called 'Eulactol Heel Balm' nightly. It's not recommended whilst you have an open or bleeding crack, but is great for keeping the skin soft with continual use.

10 years ago

Nebraskim

Veteran

I had a lot of issues with severely cracked heels and found out it was a type of "athlete's foot" fungus. I know, TMI, but the cracks did not go away until I used something like lotrimin on my feet for a couple of weeks. The bonus: the stuff is fairly greasy so it helps two ways -- kills the fungus and softens the heels. I did put it on with socks over them. Good luck.

10 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

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Veteran

I am resurrecting this thread because my right heel cracked again yesterday. I was checking to see how it was in terms of timing and yes, it is almost exactly a month since the last time. I guess Vildy was on the money and it is a hormonal issue.

I know quite a few on the site are "at that age" so if you have heels that are in rough shape, you may now know why.

10 years ago

Glory

Veteran

oh no, so painful. I have the dermal therapy that Freckles mentioned and it is very good. They have it at Costco and Shoppers. Would it be worth a try?

10 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

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Veteran

I checked both stores here in Winnipeg and neither carried it. I may go out again this evening and pick up some uremol until my gehwol shows up. I don't want to miss my target number of steps for a little cracked heel.

10 years ago

Glory

Veteran

I would be happy to send it to you. they have it at my local costco

10 years ago

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