I have never had nice feet. Never. They are dry, nasty things with curled toes and heels so dry they could sand wood. I am not kidding. I use to be so phobic about it that I would wear socks to bed, even in the summer so that I wouldn’t run the risk of scraping my gnarly feet against my partners legs. 
To add to my misery I was born and raised in California, the land of perpetual flip flops! Us die hard Californians don’t necessarily restrict our “sandal” wearing to the seasons of Spring and Summer, nay for a real Californian “flip flops” can be worn through just about any season and to almost every event. You can imagine my horror then as my peers sported their dainty feet with flower painted toes and I had man feet with hard core calluses and dry cracked heels! It’s a small wonder I survived puberty, is all I am saying.
Through the years I have spent a small fortune buying every foot cream and special softening sock known to man trying to remedy my chappy feet. To no avail, if anything the condition just got progressively worse through the years and the skin just got thicker and thicker.
I bought pumices of assorted styles and substances ( lava rock, salt, special stones, blah blah blah) I would scrub and scrub, the skin would flake off and like evil magic reappear thicker and drier than before. I seriously gave up, and just wrote it off as my burden to carry through this life and resigned myself not to every date anyone with a foot fetish because they would probably throw up at the site of my feet.
Finally, I found the holy grail of dry cracked feet! A diabetic chum of mine told me about Flexitol Heel Balm which was recommended to him by his podiatrist. He has worst feet then mine, but his are due to side effects of diabetes.
(click on image to purchase)
I am not going to pump it up for you. Simply said it works, if you really do have nasty feet it’s the solution you have been searching for AT LAST!
- It’s cheap! Suggested price: $7.39 Now: $5.99 at drugstore.com!
- I’ve seen it sold at Target, too!
Simply apply twice daily, morning and night. I think in the beginning, you should apply after you shower, and you scrub the excess dry skin from your heels with a callus remover of some sort:
Then apply Flexitol Heel Balm liberally to the affected areas. You will begin to see results within a few days. Quite awesome, after my feet started getting better I started just applying the balm to my dry heels when I had the time. Regardless I swear by it now and it saved my sandal wearing life!
I am sure it will work for you as well, let me know how your progress goes. This really is an issue that is near and dear to my heart! 
About evette
One way I tackle my tough feet is to use a homemade sugar scrub. A palm full of sugar in a glass. Add a teaspoon of olive oil and some essential oil drops if I crave scent. Mix and rub well onto damp feet then rinse well. Try it! It is easy and inexpensive.
Has anyone tried the Ped-Egg from the infomercial?
Thank you for the tip. I will be at the drugstore tomorrow. It sounds like you & I share a bond that few would understand.
I too am a pedicurist nightmare. In fact, the last time I got my feet done, the Asian Nail Tech (“Tony”) – who spoke very limited English – commented, “…you lose 2 pounds today…” That was late last summer, I haven’t been back.
I HAVE THE MOST TERRIBLE FEET, U WILL EVER SEE. AND, THATS A FACT !!!!
CALUSED, DRY,DRY,SKIN, = flacky = nasty feet ! toe nails are ingrown & hurt. The toe nails on the BIG TOE grow sideways, inward.
Tha callused heels are SUPER-HARD. I use a razor blade to shave them down. But, to no avail; they grow back quickly !!
PLEASE TELL ME: “WHAT DO I HAVE 2 DO 2 BEAT THIS CRAP !???
T/Y = DEBBIE LEE*~ contact= debbiezkittyz@yahoo.com
I too have the rasp like feet and work on them constantly. I have discovered 2 things that have worked well for me. First is a microplane foot exfoliatior. The planes are sharp on both sides and as you run if across the dry callous it simply shaves it off, you will be amazed. The second item is Gold Bond Foot Cream. I have tried everything too but some of this at night and some socks over it for a few days and you have new feet. The Microplane is similar to the Ped Egg but I know that Microplane is a specific brand and I believe the make of all things kitchen graters! They are only available through Beauth Supply Stores so ask you stylist to get you one. I paid $20.00 from a salon so you know they are truly about &10.00. I still work on my feet everyday though, it never stops be vigilant ladies! Thanks for sharing!
my feet are not that bad but when they do get dry I use a HEAVY cream like acquifir and put some cotton socks on and go to bed. It takes a few days but they are soft…
I met a lady today that told me about a great cream for
dry feet, like mine. Alabama Foot Wax. I have tried to find
it, on the web, but no luck. She said her mother has diabetes and used it, and her dr. commented on how well
her feet were looking. If anybody has heard, or used this,
please contact me. tamiholmes@comcast.net
I just tried Avon Foot Works Therapeutic Cracked Heel Relief Cream. It says on the tube it’s “first aid antiseptic/external analgesic. It’s a freaking miracle. I got a tube for only $2.99 though my Avon “dealer,” and if I had known it would work like this I would have bought it long ago.
I am prejudiced but check out the Herbal Gardener’s Balm on my new web site for your cracked, dry heels (see the reviews and testimonials from people with cracked, bleeding heels.) I used to sell in my Ebay Store for the last couple of years. It is also available at Serendipity at Breckenridge, Colorado Cupboard at Longmont. CO, Rocky Mountain Gateway at the entrance to the park in Estes Park, CO, and Judy’s Hallmark in Loveland, CO. It is $7.00 for a 4 oz tin.
Herbal Gardener Balm is a natural product, handmade in Loveland, CO and it really works without using urea which is you know… nasty! Herbal Gardener Balm contains sweet almond, avocado, and jojoba oils, beeswax, shea and avocado butter, alovera, grapeseed and coconut oils, vitamin E, tree tree oil…infused with herbs of arnica, calendula, comfrey, rosemary, St. John’s wort, and echinecia, citrus and juniper oils.
Thank you.
I have found the Pediegg to be quite wonderful to remove dead and dry skin. I purchased mine at my local CVS store. I am amazed at how awesome it is and would recommend it to anyone. Also, I am a Diabetic and my podiatrist said it was fine to use since I knew what I was doing!
First let me comment on the Ped-Egg, it works on average rough skin NOT EXTREME dry cracked feet, like my husband I tried to use it on him and it just hurt. Iv’e been looking for something for him. In his case his cracks are so severe if he snags a dry part of his foot on something it will bleed. A little Help Please.
Hi Celine,
Wow, sounds really bad. Have you consulted a pediatrician? I think for cases like that it might be medical? Perhaps he could prescribe an ointment of some sort to heal the root cause.
Best,
Michelle
Beauty Editor
Try Merino’s skin products. They contain lanolin from sheep and work wonders on Dad’s feet (he has diabetes) and my childrens run-around-shoeless-because-it-is-summer feet. http://www.lanolincream.com
My left foot is so cracked at the back that I’m walking on tip-toe. I have cream on it now a diabetic lent me called Miracle Foot Care 60% aloe. I don’t know if it works or not but I have it gopped on, then after I shower before bed, I’m going to put some neosporin and a bandage. I don’t know if soaking it will help or make it worse; if the water has baby oil or something like that added? It’s ALWAYS something.
Flexitol really works. I could barely walk becuase it felt like I had a piece of glass in my heel area. Then I noticed that
there was a crack in the back of my heel. Went on line & people raved about this product. Found it at Targer for $5.98 & gave it a try. Amazing, the next day I could walk again & the crack was starting to heal. I now use it every day & my heels are soft as a baby’s behind! If you wear sandals or go barefoot a lot, this seems to be a big cause of the hard, dry & cracked heels. Have recommended it to everyone at work & they are amazed how well it works.
I have dry cracked feet. I began using stridex pads, vaseline and cotton socks before I go to bed. I have definitely seen a difference but it does not work over night. It takes patience and consistency. Try it!
I have had sand-paper feet for years and tried all kinds of “stuff.” Finally I just decided to live with these feet of mine until this winter when I had enough and headed to the pharmacy. What I was looking for I couldn’t find, so I came home with Gramp Lyford’s Salve. I used a nickel size amount on my feet before going to bed and within three days couldn’t believe the difference. I now use a dime size amount on my face, too. If you search Gramp Lyford’s Salve, you will find it. It is very inexpensive and best of all, it works.
Same story for me–I have used the Ped Egg. It works! One problem: I scrape and scrape and get all of the skin off, then within 3 days, my feet start cracking and bleeding (assumingly because the new skin is exposed to air and dries). I can’t keep enough lotion on my feet after using the Ped Egg to keep them from cracking. I have a very full life with 3 small children, and this issue (as embarrassing as it is), can’t take up a lot of my time! I’m going to use the Ped Egg and then try the balm and pray that does the trick! I’ll let you know!
to help seal your cracks in your feet, soak them in Epsom salt. It tightens everything up so it can get better and heal. It makes your feet feel better. I’m going to try the Stridex pads. I also use this glue I found in a Pavilion’s Market hanging on one of those clips you see ever so often as you shop. It is called Liquid Skin and I use it to seal my feet when they crack and it helps them to heal and just falls off naturally. But it has to be the one in a very small vile (5 grams) because the ones they have at the regular stores doesn’t work. They had one that did work and then they took it out of Target and other stores. You can buy some on Ebay still. But if your like me and you don’t want to feel your feet burning in that crack area every time you walk or move your feet, use this it will seal it up great. I use it once and then let it dry and do it again to make it stronger especially on your feet and if you wear flip flops your feet really bend.
I have been using the Flexitol and the callus remover for TWO DAYS now and already I am seeing awesome results! I know if I keep it up my calluses AND cracked heels will be gone for good. Thanks so much for posting this.
I have had the same problems, dry, cracked, gross heels.I used to use vaseline and socks at night, that really helps but definately wearing flip flops and barefoot makes it worse. Then I started a job where I was on my feet all the time so I started wearing lightweight socks everyday with my shoes and about two months later noticed my feet were completely soft. The socks did it, if you can wear them during the day.
my son is 4 years old healthy in most ways just a normail little boy, he keeps getting cracked feet right under his big toes, does anyone know why and what is the best way to treat this,
Cracked feet, mine split & bleed. But I found 1 cup of White Vinegar, 1 drop of dishsoap, to a gallon of warm water. Soak 20 Min. and anyone with fingernails can pull off lots of dead foot skin.
My feet are so painful because of cracks and splits, sometimes my hands as well. Dr. said it is all about hydrating, but there is not enough lotion in the world….. I have learned that soaking my feet is helpful. Also I have discovered that snug, soft shoes and light sox feel best and it is my good fortune that is appropriate at an elementary school. I am glad I found this blog and want to try every suggestion. Thanks!
For me, a combination of the PedEgg and creaming EVERY night helps and I just had to realize that I have to do it every night for the rest of my life. Something that has not been mentioned here before is DRINK ENOUGH FLUIDS and make sure you get your omegas. Both over time will help your feet to hydrate better from the inside. Also, make sure you are not reacting to the detergent that you use. Everytime I have to sleep in a hospital bed, afterwards my feet are worse than ever. It must be some reaction to the sanitizer detergent they use.
I tried a new product that I can no longer live without, jota sox. These are disposable socks that you put on after applying a thick layer of lotion. Jota Sox held the lotion onto my foot. I used to use cotton socks- which only absorb the lotion! After using Jota Sox for three nights in a row, my cracked heels were gone! Now I use the Jota Sox a every other weekend and my feet are super soft!
i was born with this horrible condition of cracked, thick, skin that has been known to bleed when i was younger and didn’t know how to control it. now as an adult i know i must never let my feet dry out i keep lotions of all types on at all times as well as using razor blades once every 3 or 4 monthes to shave down the excess skin that seems to grow many times faster than regular skin cells, then coat them in neosporan, sleep in socks for 2 days and let them heal. the really sad part is that in my family it’s hereditary. i got it from my dad’s side (all 5 of his siblings had it) . out of 4 of us children somehow im the only one but both my kids and all 5 of my grandkids have the cracked feet “curse”. if there’s anybody out there who knows any thing about why we have this please respond because my little grandbabies don’t even have a clue how difficult this is. they are 9 and under and already can’t play barefoot without bleeding feet. thanks for any help.
I HAVE DRY CRACKED HEELS, FOR WHATEVER REASON. I DID NOT WANT TO WEAR SANDALS. I COULD NOT AFFORD THE EXPENSE OF PEDICURES SO I USED A RAZOR TO TRY TO REMOVE THE SKIN. NOW MY FEET ARE BLEEDING AND PEELING WORSE THAN BEFORE. WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?
GOLD BOND FOOT CREAM!!! I’ve always went barefoot and thought my tough feet were necessary so I could walk on rough ground. But at some point in my 40s, my feet really dried out and started cracking so bad that I could barely walk. My heels, my arches, the balls of my feet and in between my toes, everywhere. After trying Flexitol, Kerasal, Vaseline, EVERYTHING over the counter, I went to a podiatrist and he said my case was about as bad as he’d ever seen. He gave me a new pumice stone and some very expensive cream.It helped a little but I couldn’t keep paying that kind of money. I finally happened upon Gold Bond Foot Cream. It didn’t happen overnight, but using a pumice stone every I shower, applying Gold Bond twice a day or more with socks, and wearing good shoes (no flipflops or sandals), has enabled me to have soft pretty feet again and I can OCCASIONALLY go barefoot around the house just for a little bit. I’ve finally resigned myself to the fact that I will no longer be able to go barefoot as much as I want to and I will always have to use this cream. But at $6 a tube (lasts a week), it’s not terrible financial burden, and my condition is now manageable.
Wow!
I just stumbled onto this thread and every post I have read sounds like my story. First, those of you recommending removing the dry cracked skin – you are right on the money! It’s the separating of the hard caloused skin that is causing pain. When you put pressure on the hard skin (like walking or bumping something with your fingers), it forces the pressure into raw opened skin and nerve endings. I am afraid I must disagree with the posts suggesting the razor blade method of skin removal – yes, it is the most effective exfoliating process currently available (I’m working on that!), but they can be very dangerous. Scraping your feet and heels is difficult for all but the Cirque Du Soleil contortionists – bottom line – you can’t always see what you are doing, especially on the backsides of your heels. You will (not might), cut your skin deep and cause bleeding and of course pain. The open wounds you created are an invitation to infection.
Next, you must find a product that repairs damaged skin – not just soften it. There are many inexpensive products that merely soften skin but this is just a “band-aid” approach and does nothing to mitigate problems in the future.
Another important consideration is the open wound left by the cracks in your skin. (this is especially important to diabetics). The open wounds made by your cracked skin is an open doorway to infection. Again, find a product that prevents this and you are eliminating potentially very serious future problems.
I hope I have offered some very experienced insight to your cracked skin problems.
Chris
Something that I found to work really well is buying a long shallow plastic container with lid and buying regular sand. Put the sand in the container and walk back & forth it’ll exfoliate the skin on your feet. It’s like going to the beach and walking along the shore line.
I’m speechless. This is a superb blog and very enticing too. Great work! That’s now not in reality a lot coming from an novice writer like me, however it’s all I may say after diving into your posts. Great grammar and vocabulary. Now not like different blogs. You in point of fact recognise what you?re talking approximately too. So much that you just made me need to explore more. Your weblog has become a stepping stone for me, my friend.
certainly liked checking out this, will certainly keep an eye out for your next write-up!