posted
I have very funky feet, and I DON'T mean I can dance!
Doc isn't quite sure what to think - says it might just be a sign of my nonexistent immune system. I was referred to a podiatrist but can't get in to see him for a couple months.
Anyway, my feet look horrible. The skin on the soles is very thick and rough, yet it cracks and bleeds and sometimes even falls off in little chunks like leprosy or something! It is excruciatingly painful, to say the least, as well as hideously ugly. They look like they need a good exfoliation, but I can scrub with a pumice stone until I bleed and it doesn't help a bit.
I have tried every fancy cream on the market, slathering it on and sleeping with socks over the cream, etc., but nothing seems to make any difference.
Anybody else got this? What do you do for it?
Posts: 220 | From central TX | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
Have you tried Lotrimin?
I also have found that blow-drying my feet after a shower keeps that from happening.
I can't help but think it comes from yeast ... not necessarily systemic yeast, but yeast on the surface. My kids get that from antibacterial soap.
Also, have you tried Bag Balm? It's meant for cows, LOL, but they sell it knowing humans will use it, too. I can't remember where I got it, but maybe a Google will show you where it's available. Just slather it on before bed, put on some white socks, and keep them on all night.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've got major issues with my feet as well. My heels, balls of my feet, bottom of big toes, etc.
It's like dry, leathery, callused skin with deep cracks. Mainly my heels and balls of my feet are the worst.
I've tried all kinds of things, including prescription creams. Nothing works for me. Even a good pedicure can't get rid of this skin. It's like I need it "carved" off by a surgeon or something!
It's a continuous, embarrassing problem for me. I'm always self-conscious of my feet and it dictates what kind of shoes I wear. That sounds silly, but it's not when you consider how fickle the temperature of your feet can be. Living in Houston weather doesn't make it any easier either! LOL!!
Let me know if you happen to figure out something that helps you and I'll do the same!
posted
Yup, tried Lotrimin and Lamisil and every other cream I can find. Except the Bag Balm you mentioned, SixGoofyKids... although I do wear the socks over the creams all night.
Terri3boys, what you described sounds EXACTLY like my problem (but you put it into words better than I did). I was curious to know if a prescription cream would be worth pursuing, but it sounds like it won't make any difference.
And I hear you on the shoes issue -- sandals are pretty much a Texas staple, but I can't wear them in public. Posts: 220 | From central TX | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
SixGoofyKids, do you do anything special with the feet during the daytime? Or just wear your regular footwear and then tend to the feet at night? I am going to go Google "Bag Balm".
Does the blowdryer really work that much better than a towel? I have terrible neuropathy, so I am afraid that I would burn my feet. (Like diabetics have to be careful getting into hot water, etc, because they can't really tell how hot it is)
How long did it take before you saw improvement?
Posts: 220 | From central TX | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
I do nothing with my feet now except blow dry them. I used to have severe cracking, but haven't in a couple years so I don't remember how long it took.
You know how when you dry your hands completely under one of those air dryers in a public restroom how soft they feel?
That's what made me think of it to begin with. I towel dry them, then blow them with the blow dryer. I use the medium setting because the hot is too hot.
It's worked for me!
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Yep, I wear socks at night with cream or ointment of some sort as well. It just hasn't worked for me.
The last "round" of Kenalog/Lubriderm prescription lotion I used really do much of anything, except ruin my white socks!
I would put on the lotion, then strategically put on the socks so the lotion wouldn't come off. All it did was turn my socks all yellow where my heels and balls of my feet were.
I've even tried Vaseline.........that just made my feet really hot. I've got bad neuropathy, too, and I'll end up yanking my socks off in the middle of the night.
My toes will turn different colors and be different temperatures almost every day. I'll get that familiar feeling, look down and see some toes white, some regular.
It doesn't matter if I'm hot or cold, it just happens. I can't stand it. My doctor tells me to put the hair dryer on my hands or feet when that happens, so that I can bring the "cold" ones back to regular body temperature.
Otherwise, I instinctively shake or rub my hands, or stomp my feet around to get things back to normal. It seems like I've been having this Raynaud's thing more often lately.
Why would I get cold fingers or toes when it's 85 degrees outside??????? It really is 85 degrees right now!
Wow...........did I sidetracked or what? Anyway, so far I haven't found anything to remotely work for my feet!
Keep me posted!!
terri3boys Posts: 268 | From Texas | Registered: Aug 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Count me in as a member of the Funky/Ugly/Embarrassing feet club. Dry, callouses, cracking, thick skin, etc. I always figured it might have something to do with yeast overgrowth -- but was never able to confirm that.
All I know is that my feet practically heal before my eyes when I park myself at the beach, wade in the sea, and then walk on the sand. Go figure. And the beach is hours away from my home so it's not something I can do frequently.
One lotion/cream that really helps me is called Dermal Therapy. The folks at my nutritional compounding pharmacy recommended it to me. It's made in Canada and they have a website for ordering internationally as well. For my feet, I like the "Heel Care" jar. I just lather it on after a shower and put a couple of layers of socks on. I don't do this nearly as much as I should.
Fuzzy
Posts: 503 | From Maryland | Registered: Oct 2007
| IP: Logged |
Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
Buy a tube of lanolin at the drugstore, only a couple dollars. This is very thick. Apply it at bedtime, and it will absorb completely by morning.
Are you taking fish oil capsules? This will moisturize and condition the skin from the inside, and banished my dry, cracking skin. You need pharmaceutical quality fish oil.
Cornmeal will kill fungus. Make up a slurry of cornmeal and water in a flat pan, and soak feet in it for an hour. You can google cornmeal, fungus, feet to find information.
Carol
Posts: 6956 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Interesting... I am taking small doses of fish oil, when I remember to. It's hard when I have so many other things I am taking, LOL! My family jokes that I get full before meals just by all the pills and supplements I take. No room for any food!
I also have a problem with the skin around my fingers, although it is kind of different. The skin there peels away from the nails, leaving it raw and bloody. (But it is not thick and hard like the feet). I have had several doctors tell me it was a sign that my immune system is not working. And just like the feet, no lotion or cream makes any difference. It looks awful and it hurts. Has to be related to the foot thing, right?
Posts: 220 | From central TX | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Blow dryer, bag balm, and socks!! It takes time, but it works!![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[dizzy]](graemlins/dizzy.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic