Anyone suggest a remedy for grotty feet?

[Saruma]

As much as I love running, it really is playing havoc with my feet. Despite gait analysis and properly fitting shoes, I have developed calloused skin in patches on my feet, especially the on the side of my big toes. Can anyone suggest a good foot cream or soak that will help to soften them up?

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I am watching for responses to your question,Saruma, as I have developed a very large thick callous on my right foot and have been wondering what to do about it. It is amazing what we do to our bodies in the name of fitness.

[larastara]

Hi

I use a combination of things. From pharmacies you can buy a special tool for shaving the calluses down gently. It is about the length of a pencil and is a sharp blade with a guard. It's called a corn and callus knife. I also use a foot file (a bit like a giant emery board) to rub off dead skin after bath or shower and heel repair cream twice a day. It's quite an intensive foot care regime but I hate the feel of rough skin on my feet so, for me, it's worth it!!!

Hope this is useful

[Eebahgum Graduate]

I'm only a beginner, so hardly in a position to offer advice, but why not treat yourself to a visit to a chiropodist? I go every couple of months and come out feeling as if I'm walking on clouds.

[Beads Graduate]

That's where I got callouses, on the inside edge of the big toe, where it's in contact with the second toe. It was really really easy to fix, I just got wider fitting shoes and they've gone! Properly wide, not just a 'this shoe feels like it's wider than that shoe' wide. They're wonderfully comfy (up half a size on my old ones as well), a bit like wearing boats on your feet. Next time I need new shoes I'm definitely asking for the wider fitting.

I'm not as conscientious as Lara but I do take one of the foot files to my feet occasionally and use the cracked heel balm cream for my heels when I remember (or when they start feeling rough round the back).

[Anniemurph Graduate]

I'm another one who sands off the rough bits (of my feet ) with a pumice stone in the shower most days, and then puts thick moisturising cream on (when I have socks on). It's hard work at first, but when you've got the problems under control it doesn't take long and you have nice peachy feet again

[NewlifeLil Graduate]

I believe callouses are the skin's response to friction, or pressure, so you should be able to learn something about your gait or shoes from where the callouses develop. You'd have to ask an expert what your particular pattern of callouses means. I think it is important to keep them under control or you can get a sort of 'fold' and crack the skin in the fold, but I think unless you identify the cause they will keep returning. As Eebahgum suggests, a chiropodist - or a podiatrist, may be able to help both short and longer term. Good luck!

[Coliboo]

I always get running shoes a size bigger than my usual size (on the advice of the running shop I buy them from) and wear proper running socks with extra cushioning at key points like big toes! I use Scholl cracked heel cream if the heels get very rough and have used in on the big toe tough skin also. And Scholl Hard Skin Softening Cream + socks after a bath. Also a foot file occasionally. Good luck!

[LMS2110 Graduate]

Eeewwww how interesting - we all seem to have similar experiences but I think this is the first post I've seen about our poor thickening foot skin!

I've got a gadget made by the Scholl foot people - more like a tiny cheese grater than an emery board - it works gently, but well, especially on softened, soapy feet in the bath - then follow with as much moisturiser as the feet will soak up!

I also bought running shoes as recommended after gait analysis and I think they were 1 1/2 sizes larger than my usual shoes! Plus, 'twin skin' socks are an absolute godsend protecting feet from all sorts of pressures and poundings of running. Good luck everyone Linda

[Irishprincess Graduate]

CCS cream. You can buy it in Boots.