Foot note

This is definitely a post for the miscellaneous label section - and possibly it may cause my children to shake their heads - but - it's my blog and I have some very helpful information to share with all of my readers . . .

The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art. -- Leonardo da Vinci.

I agree with da Vinci. And when the human foot is healthy - - - life is good. When the human foot is not healthy - - - well I spent 3 summers experiencing this - - - summers in flip flops, dry, cracked heels, painful misery with each step - - - so I must share.

My first step was to visit a podiatrist, right? Foot doctor. He was not helpful. My second step was to visit a dermatologist. He saved me. First of all I was told - don't wear flip flops. Wear shoes and socks. I was then given the strongest, most potent corticosteroid ointment to apply for two weeks along with 40% urea cream to apply to my feet at night. The cream would soften the callouses. Works beautifully. Slowly they healed. I also was given Vanicream to use and in fact was told to have a bottle of it at every faucet in my house for my hands as well. It can be found at Walgreens and most Walmart stores - but you have to ask in the pharmacy.

Slowly - with a routine that added about 30 minutes to my bedtime routine - including sleeping with socks on - I began to heal. I could walk again normally.

If you are shaking your head - that's okay - it probably means you have never had cracked feet. Every step was torture. I'm so thankful that I found relief. I will never take my foot health for granted.

I continue now with some of the regimen and I am able to rotate on and off of the medications, only using it periodically - but always using good lotion.

Here is what I have on hand:
Urea cream 40% - prescription only
Urea cream 20% - can be bought over the counter
Vanicream
Steroid - prescription only

This brings me to my last suggestion and saving grace - - - PEDICURES.
Some would say that it is a self-indulgent, have a special me day, thing to do.
For me it is medicinal :) or at least that is what I tell my husband.
I discovered that getting a pedicure after I got my feet healthy was a fabulous way to make them even more healthy!!! And pretty!!

So . . . after the drs. bills were paid and the budget adjusted for monthly pedicures and the little foot care goodies are purchased for home - I can even manage to slip into "flip-flops" once in a while in the hot summer time. (But only Crocs brand) No more cheap flip flops for this girl.

Hopefully if anyone has shared in this not very talked about misery - you will find something helpful from my experience! I have had fun sharing - and especially making the hubs photograph my nice healthy feet for the blog!