If you suffer from dry cracking heels as a result of Sjögren’s, then this post is for you.
If you’ve been diagnosed with Sjögren’s (like me) then you are no stranger to devouring dryness that takes over your body like a devil.
Like me, you might be fine one day, and then wake up the next and notice some part of your body is dry, cracking and needs some extra TLC.
This is what happened to me this week. I woke up yesterday morning and within the first hour my heel split open. Upon investigation I realized my heels on both sides were dry, hard and cracking.
I have to admit, this is a part of my body I don’t often look at. Not only because it's kind of hard and awkward to look at the bottom of your feet, but also when you've got so many symptoms to manage, you might often overlook this essential part of your body.
I think I took my feet for granted following up to this discovery.
This picture depicts the dry, hard and cracks I had on my heels. Don't mind the dirt - My son and I were digging up worms in the garden.
After this discovery I did what I always do when I find something new and weird with my every changing dry body - I ask my online support group.
If you haven't connected with people online, this is a great way to get and offer support who are also dealing with the same things you are.
If you are looking to connect with other Sjogren's patients online, be sure to check out our online support group.
Once I got some feedback I decide to head to my local drug store and pick up a few products for my feet.
I ended up landing on purchasing the O'Keeffe's for Healthy Feet - both their foot cream and overnight treatment. I also grabbed a pumice stone.
Once I got home I did what I always do when I need to hydrate my outer body.
I jumped in a nice hot bath. I soaked for about 15 minutes.
At that time I then I put some mineral oil on my heels and rubbed it in nicely, then I soaked for another 5 minutes.
Once I got out of the bath I scrubbed both heels with the pumice stone the best I could and then I applied the O'Keeffe's Healthy Feet lotion.
Here are the products I purchased at Shoppers Drug Mart:
This is my heel after the bath but before any treatment:
Here is the results of bath, mineral oil, pumice stone, & O'Keeffe's Lotion:
Not bad eh?
While I don't have baby bottom smooth feet, I am happy with the results and will continue to use these products until my feet are no longer cracking.
I know that not every product is going to work for every person, so I have compiled a list of the recommendations I got from the support group.
Here are products they recommended:
In addition to the products listed above, there are several members who made other suggestions, some of which you may have lying around the house.
Here are some additional suggestions:
Apply Vaseline, wrap in Saran Wrap and socks
Apply Aquaphor or O’keefes then wrap in plastic and socks
Put baby oil in the bath when you soak
Use a pumice stone on feet in the shower
Olive oil overnight on feet
coconut oil overnight on feet
Get a professional pedicure
If you want to learn more about cracked heels, there is a great resource: https://fixcrackedheels.co/what-causes-cracked-heels/
Thank you to everyone who made suggestions and helped me put together this list.
Do you suffer from dry cracked heels as a result of Sjogren's?
Is there anything you would add to the list to help others?
Let me know below in the comments. See you again soon!
Wishing you Health and Happiness 💜
Heather Foisy
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