Hard Dry Feet

[meganiwish]

Dr Shoe, I've read what you've written before on this. But I keep my feet clean etc, but as I've got older I've just got loads of hard skin. I really want nice soft feet again that don't destroy my tights.

[Sly Fox]

I've read what was written, and whilst I understand the thinking behind it, if I personally don't do anything about the dead skin on my feet I end up with revolting trotters - it doesn't sort itself out naturally for me, and I've never found the removal of hard skin to cause me any subsequent problems. I don't feel that it's caused by prolonged wear of badly fitting shoes as I don't wear shoes in the house and most of the time at work I have to wear flat clogs. When they need sorting out, I give my (dry) feet a going-over with a good foot-file before showering, and before going to sleep slather them with a rich, moisturising foot cream (both the file and the cream I use are made by Scholl), then put on a pair of cotton socks (I got a pair from The Body Shop, allegedly specifically for this) and go to sleep. They definitely feel softer in the morning.

[meganiwish]

Thank you for your response, Sly Fox. I've tried filing, but to no avail. I'll try the lotion/sock thing. I just so want my soft feet back.

[Dr. Shoe]

Yes, natural fibres next to the skin are good for your feet but as I said before, the hard skin is natures way of protecting your feet from harm and is often a response to something you're doing wrong.

[meganiwish]

I know, like when you get calouses on your hands from riding a bike. I wish I knew what I was doing wrong, though. It's quite upsetting to have horrible feet where you once had nice feet.

[Dr. Shoe]

Yes, I'm sure it is. Perhaps you are now wearing something different to what you wore before or perhaps you have lost your immunity to it. Sometimes it could be an allergy, even to the glue used in shoe making. It could even be just age. The remedial actions will take time.

[meganiwish]

Thank you. I suspect you might be right about it being age. I just need to give more time to looking after my feet. Thank you both for your responses..

[Amanda]

Megan, I find flexitol cream works very well http://www.boots.com/en/Flexitol-Heel-Balm-56g_10987/ that combined with filing every morning after a shower. You'll have them all soft and restored in no time. :-)

[Dr. Shoe]

I noticed some hardening of the skin on my heels the other day but gave them a good wash in warm soapy water a thorough rinse over and now they're fine again.