Embarrassing problem that seemed fit for Anandtech OT discussion - really looking for advice. .

[episodic]

Does anyone have hard as concrete feet?

I've got callous so thick that I can wear a pumice stone out and still have a ton of callous. I'll grind it all down every few months (takes me upwards of an hour) and in mere weeks it is back. It'll stay that way for a while till it starts to 'crack' and get painful. They are just really dry. I have tried lotion and a host of other 'dry skin/dry feet' kind of things to no avail . . .

I don't have athlete's feet and I don't work outside/stand on my feet constantly. . .

Money is tight and health insurance non-existant so I really hate to pay a doc 70$ to get presribed 150$ worth of stuff.

Anyone else have this problem? Is there a simple solution?

 

[VirginiaDonkey]

My wife has cracked heels.....
she uses some stuff called Kerasal.
She says its kind of pricey (about 7 or 8 bucks), but works wonders after a few applications

 

[episodic]

I'll look for it (kerasal). . .

 

[Chaotic42]

I've torn up 150 grit sandpaper on my feet. I've yet to find anything that works, but then again I grew up as a bare-foot country-boy in the sticks. It's to be expected that I have tough feet.

 

[shimsham]

try some vaseline. put it on your feet before bed, and wear some socks so it can soak in and not get wiped off by your sheets.

 

[Wallydraigle]

I walk barefoot in the woods or on gravel without a second thought. I can cut dead skin off my feet with a razor blade 1/4 inch thick.

 

[badmouse]

Originally posted by: shimsham
try some vaseline. put it on your feet before bed, and wear some socks so it can soak in and not get wiped off by your sheets.

This was what the farm men in my family used to do. For some reason, it was supposed to be white socks, too. Oh, because the dye would come off if it wasn't, I suppose.

It works.

 

[cerebusPu]

maybe you need to look at new socks and shoes....that is after you get rid of the callus this time.

 

[George P Burdell]

day: Dr. Scholls
night: Vaseline

 

[WannaFly]

This sounds kind of silly but it works, believe me. When you put lotion on at night, wrap your foot in saran wrap, then put a sock over it. In a couple days it should be better.

 

[phantom309]

Dremel tool on its slowest setting with the grinding stone attachment of your choice. Seriously - it'll work great if you're gentle.

 

[Peetoeng]

Originally posted by: WannaFly
This sounds kind of silly but it works, believe me. When you put lotion on at night, wrap your foot in saran wrap, then put a sock over it. In a couple days it should be better.

That's a good idea, it keeps your feet moist for extended period of time. Just like the commerical on TV where they soak dry feet in a pan of liquified candle wax. When the wax solidifies, it prevents moisture from escaping, i.e. keeping the feet moist.

 

[jadinolf]

Sounds like a shoe problem. I don't think callouses form for no reason.

 

[SludgeFactory]

My heels have cracked at times in the past, this usually works for me:

shower
file/pumice as the skin softens up during the shower
rub in vaseline immediately after to seal in some of the moisture from the shower

The vaseline with saran wrap at night sounds good too.

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: phantom309
Dremel tool on its slowest setting with the grinding stone attachment of your choice. Seriously - it'll work great if you're gentle.

hm.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
I've torn up 150 grit sandpaper on my feet. I've yet to find anything that works, but then again I grew up as a bare-foot country-boy in the sticks. It's to be expected that I have tough feet.

40 grit?

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: lirion
I walk barefoot in the woods or on gravel without a second thought. I can cut dead skin off my feet with a razor blade 1/4 inch thick.

Damn!!! That's a thick razor blade!

 

[Azraele]

Personally, I wouldn't recommend the saran wrap. You skin should be able to breathe.

I know it'd drive me nuts to wear that stuff at leaast.