# Damn you Cracked Heels! Damn you straight to heck! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 13, 2002, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-cracked-heels-damn-you-straight-to-heck/113792 "2002-06-13T04:33:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-cracked-heels-damn-you-straight-to-heck/113792/1 "2002-06-13T04:33:01Z")
Man, every freekin’ summer! Sandle season arrives, I get my feet all prettied up, and my **Fargin’ Ass Bastage Heels Crack!** Try lotion you say. I’ve **TRIED LOTION** Try pumice you say. I’ve **TRIED PUMICE** Try lubing up and wearing socks to bed, you say. I’ve **TIRED THE STUPID ASS SOCK WEARING**!! Why oh why can’t I just have nice smooth heels like all of the other girls? Damn this smarts. ☹ :mad: ☹ :mad: ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Another\_Primate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Another\_Primate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Another_Primate)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-cracked-heels-damn-you-straight-to-heck/113792/2 "2002-06-13T04:46:30Z")
Yep, I hear ya, it’s painful and ugly. Last year I went to a dermatologist for another reason, and griped about my heels. They’d bugged me for years, and I’d tried all the stuff you mentioned. The worst thing I did was to take a razor blade to all the calluses — yikes, that was awful afterwards; I could hardly walk. She prescribed – lemme grab the bottle – TAC OI 0.1%/SAL ACID 10% CLAY. Bedtime, 10-14 days. Put on socks. Wow! After that, I used (also prescribed by her) Lac-Hydrin !2% cream. I don’t use it as often as I should, but, like I said, Wow. No more cracking. No more ugliness. No more pain. Hope this helps. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-cracked-heels-damn-you-straight-to-heck/113792/3 "2002-06-13T05:18:18Z")
_Reeeeeeeallllly_ TAC OI 0.1%/SAL ACID 10% CLAY you say… Lac-Hydrin !2% cream, you say… Interesting. Perhaps I will consult with my friendly neighbourhood Spiderman. Or my Dr. Whomever I run into first… ---
**Author:** ![VDarlin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e56c9b/32.png) [@VDarlin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VDarlin)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-cracked-heels-damn-you-straight-to-heck/113792/4 "2002-06-13T07:23:45Z")
I feel for you, as I have the exact same problem, and have for years. I’ve done all the same things as you, and to no avail. Ok, they get a smidgeon better, but nothing noteworthy to anyone, except myself, since I am well aware of how bad they are to begin with. I don’t have any suggestions though, except to just accept them, and move on…that’s pretty much what i’ve done. Or, you could talk to you doc about the stuff that **Another Primate** posted about. I think I may do the same. ~V ---
**Author:** ![Skerri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Skerri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skerri)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-cracked-heels-damn-you-straight-to-heck/113792/5 "2002-06-13T14:02:09Z")
Just so you know, in case your doctor doesn’t understand that… That’s a compound of Triamcinolone ointment 0.1% and Salicylic acid 10%. And yes, it’s by prescription only. I used to have to make this all the time in the summer, when I worked in retail pharmacy. (Side note: I need to get new contacts. I read the thread title as “Damn you Crack Heads! Damn you straight to heck!” :D) ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-cracked-heels-damn-you-straight-to-heck/113792/6 "2002-06-13T14:25:43Z")
I thought you were talking about cracking your heel bones. I’ve done that, in both feet at once. I had hairline cracks in both heels after jumping off the barn roof. It took several weeks to heal during which time I waddled like a duck because I limped with each step. ---
**Author:** ![Kayeby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de0a6/32.png) [@Kayeby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kayeby)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-cracked-heels-damn-you-straight-to-heck/113792/7 "2002-06-13T14:46:38Z")
**Another Primate** , I’ve tried the razor thing too! And it couldn’t cut through! :eek: So I used nail clippers to tear the skin out, and like you, had lots of trouble walking. Definitely not recommended! ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-cracked-heels-damn-you-straight-to-heck/113792/8 "2002-06-13T15:37:49Z")
My heels crack, too. Incredibly painful, but I’ve gotten used to being in pain all summer. Luckily, I’ve found a solotion - I’m moving out of this goddamn dry state to someplace with a little humidity! My skin will feel GOOD again for the first time in 11 years! I can’t WAIT! For those of you who hate humidity - it’s a lovely thing when it’s not hot. The perfect summer day is 80 degrees and HUMID, especially when you’re at the beach! ---
**Author:** ![DaToad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@DaToad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaToad)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-cracked-heels-damn-you-straight-to-heck/113792/9 "2002-06-13T16:27:47Z")
You might want to try _Bag Balm_. It is OTC and available at most drug stores. I’ve had some serious problems with my hands cracking from working with cement. This stuff works really well. ---
**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-cracked-heels-damn-you-straight-to-heck/113792/10 "2002-06-13T20:15:48Z")
I heel your pain! 😃 [sub]Sorry, I had to.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-cracked-heels-damn-you-straight-to-heck/113792/11 "2002-06-13T20:32:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DaToad \* > \*\*You might want to try _Bag Balm_. It is OTC and available at most drug stores. \*\* Try Bag Balm you say. I’ve **TRIED BAG BALM**. \ these babies are almost beyond repair. I’ve actually had to have stitches put in my heels because they cracked so deeply. My dad has the same thing. It certainly doesn’t help that I live in Calgary, which is about 2mm of rain away from being a true desert. I was told that the heel cracking was indicative of a deficiency in my diet, but I really can’t imagine what that might be. Interestingly, they crack just as bad when I’m completely veggi, or if I’m eating fish, so I don’t think that’s the problem. Anyhow, thanks for the suggestion all the same. I may have to resort to amputation…😃 ---
**Author:** ![SisterCoyote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@SisterCoyote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SisterCoyote)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-cracked-heels-damn-you-straight-to-heck/113792/12 "2002-06-13T21:13:06Z")
I’ve got the same pain myself. I use Vasoline and special socks that I got at Bed Bath & Beyond when they get too bad, and it seems to help. The problem is, I have a deep, true and abiding dislike for the feeling of Vasoline on my fingers. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2002, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-cracked-heels-damn-you-straight-to-heck/113792/13 "2002-06-14T02:04:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SisterCoyote \* > \*\*The problem is, I have a deep, true and abiding dislike for the feeling of Vasoline on my fingers. \*\* I have a deep, true and abiding dislike for the feelig of Vasoline, PERIOD. The thought of having it on my **FEET** squishing between my **TOES**??!?! **GAH!!!** It’s making my skin crawl just thinking about it. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2002, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-cracked-heels-damn-you-straight-to-heck/113792/14 "2002-06-14T02:21:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by alice\_in\_wonderland \* > \*\*I was told that the heel cracking was indicative of a deficiency in my diet, but I really can’t imagine what that might be. Interestingly, they crack just as bad when I’m completely veggi, or if I’m eating fish, so I don’t think that’s the problem. > \*\* What about drinking more water? That should keep you hydated and help the dry skin, right? Just a thought. Do you have Bath & Body Works shops up there? I got some wonderful hand cream there, called Healing Hand lotion. Wonderful thick stuff. I get terribly dry and cracked hands from washing dishes and washing my hands a lot (I’m a teacher) and nothing helped much, but that lotion did help. I used it on my feet, too (slopped it on under cotton socks overnight) and it really helped. It wasn’t greasy feeling, like Vaseline. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2002, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-cracked-heels-damn-you-straight-to-heck/113792/15 "2002-06-14T02:39:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kinsey \* > \*\*What about drinking more water? That should keep you hydated and help the dry skin, right? > Just a thought. > > Do you have Bath & Body Works shops up there? I got some wonderful hand cream there, called Healing Hand lotion. Wonderful thick stuff. I get terribly dry and cracked hands from washing dishes and washing my hands a lot (I’m a teacher) and nothing helped much, but that lotion did help. I used it on my feet, too (slopped it on under cotton socks overnight) and it really helped. It wasn’t greasy feeling, like Vaseline. \*\* Drink water you say? I’ve **TRIED DRINKING WATER** (I’m just sort of enjoying how that looks…) I’m afraid that I don’t think any meer mortal lotion will do, Bath & Body Works or no Bath and Body Works (We don’t actually have BBW in Canada, but I visited one in New Orleans). I actually get big nasty fissures that bleed and sometimes have to be stitched up. Even with weekly pedicures I still have this problem. I’m afraid this is my cross to bear…\ 😃 Just so you all know, I fully appreciate that I could have WAY bigger problems than cracked heels… ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2002, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-cracked-heels-damn-you-straight-to-heck/113792/16 "2002-06-14T02:47:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kayeby \* > \*\ ***Another Primate** , I’ve tried the razor thing too! And it couldn’t cut through! :eek: So I used nail clippers to tear the skin out, and like you, had lots of trouble walking. Definitely not recommended! \*\* Sometimes I go to a podiatrist, where I get all sorts of things done to my feet. If you can afford it, I highly recommend it. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2002, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-cracked-heels-damn-you-straight-to-heck/113792/17 "2002-06-14T03:17:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by alice\_in\_wonderland \* > \*\* > I actually get big nasty fissures that bleed and sometimes have to be stitched up. \*\* [barfing smilie] What’s that? We got Smackie instead? I want a barfing smilie! Yeah, you could have worse problems, but this sounds pretty bad. Hope you feel better. ---
**Author:** ![Theobroma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5a626/32.png) [@Theobroma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Theobroma)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2002, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-cracked-heels-damn-you-straight-to-heck/113792/18 "2002-06-14T12:07:13Z")
I’ll second the podiatrist idea. Sometimes, cracked heels that don’t heal are the result of a fungal infection, and will heal with antifungal cream. I have 'em too…good luck! ---
**Author:** ![MagicEyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@MagicEyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicEyes)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2002, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-cracked-heels-damn-you-straight-to-heck/113792/19 "2002-06-16T01:04:55Z")
**Alice** –have you tried Zim’s Crack Creme? I’ve heard good things about it. Their website is at: [http://www.crackcreme.com/info.htm](http://www.crackcreme.com/info.htm) It comes in a very greasy version and a creamy daytime version. I don’t have an amazing success story yet, because I haven’t been using it every day, but I’m sure that someday I will have heels that are as smoooooth as a baby’s bottom! 😃 ME ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2002, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-cracked-heels-damn-you-straight-to-heck/113792/20 "2002-06-16T01:13:58Z")
What’s the percentage of crack in that cream, **MagicEyes**? Any idea how crack helps dry feet? (Oh, c’mon - someone had to do it.:D) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-cracked-heels-damn-you-straight-to-heck/113792.md?page=2)