Are Your Feet Thirsty?

I am thinking about feet.

This is not entirely unusual for me.  No, I don't have a "thing" about feet.  It just so happens that I also write a blog for a podiatrist.  So, I have to think about feet several times a week.  (If you want to check it out, you can find it at We Care For Your Feet.)

I am thinking about the "winter white" look that my heels are sporting. It is dry skin. I usually let them get so dried out that it carries over to summer.

Now,  as you know, people with diabetes have to be careful with their feet.  I clearly remember Silent Sam's first appointment with the endocrinologist where she checked his feet.  She told him that they were a bit dry and that he should moisturize them.  I don't really think that Silent Sam is the only man who would NEVER think to put moisturizer on his feet.

Yes, it is easy to take care of this problem but I usually don't do what I should about it.  I know that I should -on a daily basis - moisturize my feet.  I know that on my way into bed I should put on moisturizer - really grease them up - and then put on a pair of socks.  The moisturizer can then soak in and do its thing while I sleep.  I can then wake up and the birdies will be singing happy songs about my soft feet.

I have tried many moisturizers over the years.  A few years ago, I read a comparison of products specifically for moisturizing your feet.  The highest recommendations came for a really innocuous product called "Heel Rescue".  It is not fancy.  It is not expensive.  It does a pretty good job - especially if you use it and use it regularly.  I just checked some prices on line.  The price ranges from about $6 to $9 for the 16 oz. pump jar.   It is available in most of your local chain drug stores.  (Walmart, Walgreens, CVS) You can also order it on-line from several companies.

I find it helps to know what you are looking for if you want to check it out

The skin on your feet can get so dry that the skin thickens and splits.  When that happens, you then have an opening for bacteria to get into your feet.  This is not good for anyone but especially those who are diabetic. So if your feet are dry you might want to try the moisturizer and sock combination at night.  I know that it is best to put moisturizer on right after you shower (your pores are open then and they drink in the moisture better) but the nighttime application helps also.  Of course, you could do both and have lovely moisturized  feet.

You can also get a pumice stone at the drug store and use that in the shower to rub off some of the dry skin. I have had mixed feelings about this but once again, I may not have given it a fair shake.  I also think that I did not use it correctly. ( Really, did you know there were instructions for using a pumice stone?) I didn't know that you were supposed to make sure the pumice stone was wet and soapy when you used it on your wet feet.  I will give it another shot.

So now that winter has captured all of us in its grip, take a few minutes to give your feet a drink.  They will show their appreciation. (For you Aussies, your time will come.  We will be soaking in the sun and you will be cold.)

How do you keep your feet from drying out in winter?  Please share any hints or thoughts in the comment section below or on Facebook (The 9 Inch Plate - and if you could take a minute to "like" me, I would appreciate it!) or on Twitter (@9inchplate)

Thanks for reading!