Footcare Tips for Cracked Heels, Smelly Feet, Toenail Fungus & More | Dermatologist Dr. Sam Ellis

As a dermatologist, I help my patients with their footcare concerns all the time. So if you have smelly feet, toenail or foot fungus, cracked heels, or other concerns with your feet, then this video is for you. I share what causes these foot issues and how you can resolve them at home or with the help of a professional.
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
00:41 Stinky Feet
05:03 Cracked Heels
09:29 Toenail Issues
13:18 Foot Fungus
15:11 Blisters
16:18 Subscribe!
DISCLAIMER: The information in this video is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician. Some of the links in this description may be affiliate links (marked with *). Affiliate links help support my KZbin channel so I can continue to create fun, informational skincare videos for you. Also, some products may have been received as PR. Thanks for watching!

[@DrSamEllis]

If you liked this video, check out my video about hand care too! Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5ync6CCoN9sfrs

[@heatherrogers548]

I’ve been using mole skin the wrong way. Thank you for clarify how to apply it. I’ve been adhering the moleskin to my shoes and wondering why it doesn’t always stick. 😅

[@johnhipp604]

Can I ask you a question

[@myrthasmascary4086]

Lower gluten free carbs helps

[@LoveGrowsAdam]

I use a dear hunting spray in my boots about once a week or if I notice any oder, it is used to get rid of human oders so deer don't smell you. It works well, I also use laundry soap made for the same reason, works well.

[@trashcarcass]

I only had fungus on my right large toenail. It was yellow and would grow out split. I cut it back as far as I could and put a few drops of tea tree oil all around the nail twice a day. It only took just over a month to clear up. I still do it every day, as a precaution. The toenail has grown back normal and clear. Tea tree oil is cheap.

[@DrSamEllis]

Awesome that this worked for you 🙌🏼

[@JoyAloha709]

Thanks for this tip, going to try it.

[@lindacaswell9650]

@@DrSamEllis should I dilute the tea tree oil or use straight from the dropper? Thanks for ur great videos! I just found you so I'm watching quite a few ☺

[@ga4214]

Have you tried henna? It is anti fungal 👍🏼

[@twillbdone3273]

@@lindacaswell9650 I have used 100% pure Tea Tree oil since 1999. After two types of chemo and radiation my immune system was shot. Never had warts or nail fungus and had both. Warts cleared up on their own but the nail fungus lasted for 20 yrs until the nails fell off and I was able to treat the nail bed with straight Tea Tree oil. My nails grew back (took a year) and are clear. I still use it as maintenance. No sandals for 20 yrs. And now I can paint my toenails but never leave it on constantly. Paint them and leave it on a couple of weeks then take it off and leave off for a couple of weeks.

[@tspears53]

After losing 50+ pounds, I noticed my heel cracking has disappeared. I have diabetes so that’s quite significant. Also, the weight loss has improved my diabetes symptoms.

[@denisesmith8657]

Wow! Fifty pounds!!! That’s great. Congrats!!!!

[@FevirlyMetzen]

I can relate. After i was diagnosed with diabetes. My skin starts to dry and heels cracked.

[@betweenyellowan_dred]

Me too. Went healthy keto with intermittent fasting and carnivore alternating between the two. Also tried a one percent povidone iodine spray on my feet every once in a while. Diluting the ten percent povidone iodine solution from drug stores further. This nukes toenail fungus also if not very bad. A two for one. As a less expensive option than new shoes or creams. Or if you like myself are terrified of doctors post CDC.

[@apriltheInvincible]

I'm so glad you said that because I've gained a lot of weight in the last couple of years and my heels are worse than ever. Good for you for improving your health!

[@karriehigley4776]

Congratulations, what a accomplishment.!

[@pamr4040]

For shoe/foot odor, I sprinkle a small amount of baking soda in each shoe, tapping it around to cover the entire footbed, then dumping any excess. Not sure why it works, but it's been my go-to for years now.

[@ladielynn008]

Soak your feet in APPLE CIDER VINEGAR (with the mother brand) !!!!!!! It does wonders and your feet will feel baby soft and smell great!

[@yakfishin4912]

How often

[@blxcklab]

Cider vinegar helps your feet keep dry.

[@marissab3569]

As a Floridian, I am in sandals/Birkenstocks year round…. Kerasol intensive foot treatment is my best friend! I pair that with a pair of heel-only socks at night before bed almost every night. It has helped repair and save my chronic rough heels 🥳

[@ClaudiaArnold]

I also practically live in Birkenstocks. To prevent blisters in my cross-country skiing boots (the only type of shoe that always gives me problems, no matter which I buy) I put on a nylon kneesock first, that is, one of the fully transparent, thin and very firm type with little stretch to it. Over this I put my woolen socks. Now the woolen sock glides over the nylon sock, while the nylon sock does not move much over my skin at all. It is a life saver.

[@comkver]

Thanks for letting me know about heel only socks, I'm ordering some right now!

[@sonyasullivan4120]

@@comkver You can also cut the toes off a pair of socks - that's what I do and works just fine.

[@hollisfoushee9995]

@@ClaudiaArnold ⁹

[@Jennifer12342]

It's the best product ever

[@anuksadiane4678]

My large toe nail was infected with fungus and had thickened. I cured it completely with thyme oil (extracted from the herb thyme) which I purchased at the health food store. I applied 2 or 3 drops of the oil to the tip of my nail, where it could slip under between my nail and my toe bed, and I also rubbed some all over the top of the nail all the way down to my cuticle. I did this every night for 1 year because that is how long it took for the ugly thickened nail to grow out completely. A while ago, I noticed my middle toe nail was beginning to thicken. I applied the thyme oil and it was cured within a few weeks. Dr. Ellis recommends using products with thymol which is a constituent of oil of thyme, and that is the reason why this method works.

[@barbaraschultz1442]

Thyme is anti bacterial, anti fungal. Clove is too. Good for a maintenance, but do you want to wait a year to kill fungus?

[@anuksadiane4678]

@@barbaraschultz1442 From my own experience and observations, the fungus died within a few weeks. However, it took about 1 year to grow out the thick, bumpy nail and for a new one to replace it completely. This was a large toenail; it took only a few weeks to completely regrow a smaller toenail.

[@yugoslava6409]

Thanks for great advise. I have tried with tea trea oil, no cucess, but I was not persistent like you. I will start as from tonight my one year cure toe nail journey!

[@wyomaclouss1354]

Tea Tree Oil too

[@wyomaclouss1354]

Desitin rubbed into a heel crack with heal much faster

[@dees350]

So glad to hear you recommend Vicks. Last year I was horrified to discover some pale discoloration on my left big toe. I had heard of using Vicks, but all I had was generic vapor rub. I started applying it morning and night. Within a few weeks it was clear that the treatment was working. My toenail was growing in pink! I also decided to try the vapor rub product on my dry, cracked heels. They look better than ever now. No more deep cracks that can’t even be smoothed with a pumice stone, no more rough skin snagging my stockings. I “grease” my heels and toes at least once daily, and exfoliate my heels weekly. It’s great to have healthy looking feet.

[@l.c.c.81]

Hi :) did you apply Vicks all over nail? Thanks

[@rainb6697]

Wow this is such an informative video. I feel like foot care is a forgotten topic. Almost everyone I know deals with some sort of foot problem, yet we rarely see such an in depth video that addresses so many concerns. Thank you!!

[@ShopWithDiane]

I'm a Canadian retailer who has sold footwear and socks for hiking, walking and everyday wear for 26+ years. Stinky feet are common problems most everyone has had from one time to another. I've had great success tackling the problem by washing socks inside-out. Just think about it. If you don't turn your socks inside-out when washing, the dead skin can't get out of your socks. Your socks therefore become great breeding grounds for bacteria. I also recommend removing your insoles from your shoes or boots at the end of the day, so they can dry out. Wicking, moisture -moving socks also make a difference. Polyester and acrylic are great choices. Sheep's wool or alpaca or goat hair are also amazing, since they have naturally antibacterial properties. These no or low cost suggestions are simple things you can do, and are certainly worth a try. Good luck everyone. I'd also love you to check out my KZbin channel. I do weekly shopping shows and try to offer great tips every episode. Thank you Dr. Ellis for your great advice.

[@sharcipriano2423]

Fungus toenails: Just watched a video of a gal' who shared her miracle treatment! Evenmore, there were comments after comments of people who tried it too and couldn't stop raving after trying everything for 20 to 30 yrs, and this did the trick. First, filing down the icky fungus if its thick, and she bought rubbing alcohol & rubbed with a fresh gauze on each toe. It takes at least 6 mos before the new toenail grows out. However, in peoples comments they said they saw results in days to 2 weeks. I wish I had tried it before writing this comment, but again there was probably atleast 20 comments of success and not 1 comment saying it didn't wk. Other tips- Keto low to no carb diet. Is using a toothbrush and cleaning ur toenail bed. Blow nails with hairdryer after cleaning. Go shoeless & sockless when u can Expose ur feet to the sun for atleast 5 minutes a day. Just like mushrooms don't like sun, niether does the fungus on ur feet. Also, dont wear toenail polish while treating the fungus. Hope this helps! Hope that helps

[@lvrichardson7966]

I discovered that leaving on the raised blister skin formed by rubbing helps heal the blister with much less scarring than removing the loose skin on top of a blister and then letting it heal. I tried both techniques at the same time on two blisters I got from a pair of shoes on roughly the same part of my feet. Leaving the blistered skin to do its thing healed much faster and better, by literally months.

[@darrenanderson5306]

This was an AMAZING IN DEPTH breakdown of a myriad foot/ nail fungal concerns. Thanks so much for taking the time to put this together.

[@jennifers9202]

What a terrific video! I always wondered why my heels looked so bad as the summer went on - flip flops!! I never would have known that. Thank you for the information. Now I know what to do and what products to try. Your patients are very lucky to have such a knowledgeable doctor.

[@chiarac3833]

I live in FL where flip flops are a daily wear item. I am always using my foot sanding pad and foot lotion. Nobody wants to see a pretty pair of sandals with cracked nasty feet.

[@barbarapaz3722]

Nice smelling talc is what I put in my shoes and they’re never stinky. Also you’re probably the first dr. (Dermatologist) who gave an OK for baby feet peel. Usually it’s a big no no

[@yolandaorozco4565]

For fungal nails try soaking your feet in super hot water with apple cider vinegar for 20 minutes and then very cold water for 5 minutes for 30 days. It works, it’s safe and effective.

[@ajmitch509]

FYI - Thyroid - Hypothyroidism: Thank you for this video! All the comments show what a struggle so many of us have with our feet and deciphering the cause. I’d like to add that after years of being bounced between referrals to dermatologists & podiatrists, my issues cleared up only after I started thyroid medication. Up to that point I suffered from extremely dry skin, rapid callousing, peeling flare-ups, keratin build-up and lifting toenails, all of which never responded to years of creams, essential oils, steroids, etc. I tried every remedy under the sun and own every electric and non-electric callous device. My symptoms did not include itching or odor issues. I’d honestly given up and was thankful my partner doesn’t have a foot fetish. 😅 After treating my thyroid, all the skin on my feet improved, as well as all of my nails and hair. I hope this helps others who may be dealing with the same issue. Please consider getting your labs done and research the new “normal” ranges for thyroid. Re bloodwork …stop taking biotin supplement a couple weeks before testing. Good luck friends!

[@eBroncos]

Where can I find the new "normal" range?

[@halfmanhalfamazing9812]

Thanks for sharing; I will pay more attention to this with patients

[@tiffanyanderson9437]

💯

[@geraldasmr2310]

Yes! My feet have been stinking worse than the back of a nursing home! This video helped me so much! You're truly a savior and a goddess on earth. Thank you for your wise words that have guided me into clean feet

[@ladielynn008]

Soak your feet in APPLE CIDER VINEGAR (with the mother brand) !!!!!!! Everyday or you can spray them with a spray bottle when it starts to feel itchy and dry that’s what I do! Your feet will feel amazing!!Thank me later!!

[@DanieleCunningham]

I came for the cracked heels and stinky feet. So helpful! I have a former infantry soldier I'm my family and we had to nurture boots. Replace the insole and thoroughly soak the rest of the interior with Lysol and then either dry it on a boot dryer or put it next to a dehumidifier or air vent.

[@Mimi-fe2gm]

I am barefoot or in sandals from April to November and callouses and dry cracked feet are often a problem, no matter how much I moisturize. My cracked heel fix: if painful... use the pain relief Neosporin + band aid for a day or two... once it's grown out I trim off the callous, use a file with salt scrub and then coconut oil. Can't wait to try the Kerasol. Thx!

[@JW99736]

My favorite fastest remedy for athletes foot and small patches of itchy fungus on my foot is to simply dab straight Apply Cider Vingegar in the affected area with a cotton pad before bed, let it dry and leave it there. It usually only takes a couple of applications to dry out and eliminate the yucky fungus! I love it. I’ll have to try the benzoyl peroxide wash.

[@seekthao]

I sprayed colloidal silver into an old stinky pair of sneakers and it took out the stinginess. I continue to do this along with wearing only x-static socks (silver threaded into socks) when wearing sneakers. Works amazingly well!

[@TaDarling1]

Great video. I would love to see a video on how to tell the difference between bunions, callouses, corns and blisters and where on the feet they can occur.

[@marysue233]

I had toenail fungus for several years. I tried several over-the-counter remedies didn’t work I did not want to take a pill. I used tea tree oil not every day because some days I forgot and it did take close to 6month it’s gone.

[@elizabethshelnutt3556]

Thank you so much for making this video. I learned more from your video than from the tree visits I've had with my insurance assigned foot specialist.

[@myriamkemmar4913]

I also had a problem with a fungal nail and thanks to your advice it’s all gone !! I’ve had that problem for a year and a half - I just added one drop of thymol thym essential oil into the scholl mycose product and within 2 months it was gone. Thank you again for your help !

[@susansnyder2420]

Many years ago (probably around 30 yrs) my dermatologist dad told me to slather my feet with Vaseline, put plastic bags on them and socks over the bags, doing this at bedtime and sleeping this way overnight. In the morning my feet were baby soft and no more little cracks. But I can’t do it these days because it makes my feet way too hot. This was years before we had the products you mention.

[@ladielynn008]

Soak your feet in APPLE CIDER VINEGAR (with the mother brand) !!!!!!! Everyday or you can spray them with a spray bottle when it starts to feel itchy and dry that’s what I do! Your feet will feel amazing!!Thank me later!!

[@lisab.3091]

You can buy socks that are infused with Aloe and Vitamin E. Gloves too.

[@williambranham6249]

My dermatologist told me one of the worst products for feet was Vaseline. It is a petroleum product and sucks moisture out of your skin. I'm caught in a web that is supported by a physician, physical therapist, and chiropractor. They don't agree on treatment for my sciatic symptoms. What a mess. Medicine is complicated. It is no wonder insurance has control of the health care system.

[@SolangeBrill]

I had heard soaking your feet black tea for a few minutes how ever often needed reduces the stink! This worked for my daughter's feet.

[@jeannettecarpenter3784]

When I took over the care of my then 84 year old autistic Uncle, he had toenail fungus that was 1/2" or more thick on his big toes. I put Vicks on all his toenails morning and evening, while it didn't clear it completely by the time he passed 3 years later, his cardiologist and his podiatrist were floored by the reduction in the thickness of his nails over that time. He needed compression socks due to congestive heart failure so I got him the Sockwells brand which include bamboo fibers.

[@jr-pr9lw]

You are an angel to care for your uncle for three years...

[@paisley1134]

Well that is good of you to care for him but his Dr needed to prescribe a nail medicine to thin his toenails! You paint it on and you can literally see it dissolving thick crud under the toenails. The reason I say this is because I had to use this on mine due to the fact that when your toenails become thick it is very, extremely painful and I am not kidding you. Very painful!!!! I could barely walk and the thick nails dig into your skin around your toes. It also feels like someone has taken a screwdriver, shoved it up your toenails and is prying them up. It is a lot of pressure under your toenails.

[@jeannettecarpenter3784]

@@paisley1134 He passed a few years ago, and they couldn't prescribe any antifungals due to his myriad other medical issues and medications.

[@loritipton5800]

@@paisley1134 Can you please name what the medication was that you paint on your nails that you can see it dissolving the stuff on the nail ??

[@hazeblank7441]

@@paisley1134 what is this ointment that you used ???

[@sheliakern7036]

I use A&D ointment on my feet almost daily, especially after showering. My feet stay soft and rarely crack. I am bare foot or wearing flip flops as soon as the weather is warm enough. It has a fair amount of lanolin in it and I think that’s why it works so well. I also use it on my hands, knees and elbows to keep them soft also.

[@kendralewis7414]

Great idea.

[@adriennes657]

Great info! like Cat I’d love to understand more about nail ridges! Thank you!

[@goofykitty286]

This was such a helpful video! 😺 Thank you!!! Great product suggestions too! 🫶🏼

[@Georgi_Slavov]

Wow!what a beautiful doctor!

[@BRAZILOCHKAdoJANEIRO]

WOW ❤️ WHAT AMAZING INFORMATION DR. SAM 👏👏👏👏👏 very clear speech, awesome voice and English speaker for us foreigners who don’t understand much English . I understood every single word and information on this FABULOUS VIDEO ❤️ THANK YOU SO MUCH . I give you ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars .

[@comkver]

Drying your feet for a minimum of ten minutes with a fan. That's my best tip, I've had to clear toe fungus thrice but the third time was the charm because I actually dry my feet. I would recommend Urea cream with 40%, it really helps with my cracked heel calluses. There's a Urea cream that comes with salicylic acid too.

[@janetmccoy7945]

What cream did you use to clear nail fungus?

[@marysue233]

Also I did keep my toenails on my big toes where the fungus was clipped short. also used separate implements and clean them with disinfecting wipes.

[@liliasoriano2946]

I have foot fungus and your video is so informative thank you Dr Ellis

[@1attempting2bkind52]

Super helpful ! And same with your other videos. Wonderful information.

[@whatif2336]

Great informative video! I use clear “transpore” tape to PREVENT blisters when wearing new shoes or while doing sports. I find The 3M brand is the best. That is the brand used in hospitals when taping down an IV site. However, it can be purchased from any pharmacy first aid area. The key is to apply the tape to clean DRY skin on the foot where the rubbing is most noticeable. I agree, Kerasal is a very good product for cracked heals. Thank you for your video🫶

[@brettannebalamuth4015]

In New Zealand they commonly use lanolin wool (in that puffy form) to put in shoes that are starting to rub. Especially common to use in hiking shoes. Works better than moleskin and is easier to apply. And the lanolin can be good for your skin, I hear. Cheaper than moleskin, and if added before the blister (at the hot-spot or pre-hot-spot phase), then it works better than moleskin I think.

[@leannmiles2081]

Thank you for all these great product ideas. I’m type 1 diabetic, dropped my phone on my big toe Aug. 2016…. Trauma & fungus ever since. But recently soaking in Epson salt bath, & using Vagisil cream on my toe & wrapping w/ bandaid. Dermatologist said after trauma, yeast as a diabetic set in & nail nightmare. So my thought was… dry out the foot w/ salt & treat the yeast issue. It’s been about 2 months. The new nail is looking great. Buffing & filling nail short regularly. As a nail technician for 33 yrs. this problem has totally frustrated me. It’s been a perfect storm of all the things! Appreciate your video.

[@equilabrada]

I’m a future esthetician and your channel has been a game changer. It’s given so much more to research about skin care in depth outside of school. Thank you for all you do on this channel.🌸🌺💞

[@debralynnanderson7820]

My Grand pa used Dr Sg Holl spay every day he came in from work. Don't know how safe that was but he did

[@Brandy1977ish]

I am an esthetician and I have a contract with Baby Foot so I can get them by the case at wholesale price. They are pretty easy to get in touch with. I have created an entire Baby Foot procedure with a peroxide cleanse, scrub, hot towels and then the masking. It's an awesome add on treatment. Best of luck with your practice!

[@eBroncos]

@@debralynnanderson7820 You mean Dr. Dr. Scholl’s Odor-X Ultra Odor-Fighting Spray Powder?

[@dr.charissel.7132]

Something that I use for dry skin especially on my legs and ankles and on the bottom of my feet is Mary Kay’s extra emollient cream it’s actually an ointment and I’ve been using this product for about 23 years faithfully and I still swear by it! 🙏🏽😍💕😃

[@ladielynn008]

Soak your feet in APPLE CIDER VINEGAR (with the mother brand) !!!!!!! Everyday or you can spray them with a spray bottle when it starts to feel itchy and dry that’s what I do! Your feet will feel amazing!!Thank me later!!

[@Captleemo]

Thanks for all the valuable info. My feet used to smell to high heaven but I switched to non cotton socks mainly because cotton socks felt funky on my feet but it sure took care of the smell problem. I have noticed that my toenails were getting kind of yellow looking so I started using tea tree oil with great success. Now for thick skin on my heals I have used an unconventional remedy and that is to take my electric sander with about 80 grit sandpaper and go to town. Have to be cautious with that though so I don't sand off to much skin but it works good. Now for footwear I think what people will have a problem with is their work shoes as you wear them all day every day and if your feet perspire they never get a chance to dry out. Years ago I read that if you have three pair of work shoes and switch them everyday they will last as long as five pair that you buy one pair at a time. That worked for the longevity and it also gave the shoes plenty of time to dry out.

[@1pikica2]

I have problems with cracked heels. A pedicurist suggested using Allpresan pedicare foam cream every morning and it worked like a charm!

[@susiebernsten7022]

Great video! You are very easy to watch and listen to…. A “normal” doctor, YAY!

[@trishr.3986]

Fortunately for me I have not had fungus. However, while moving a chest of drawers with a dolly I was trying to set it down and the dolly backed right into my big toes! So, as you say, it just has to be accepted. The toenails grow out evenly and with color polish you would never know, but they are separated from the bed at an angle that takes up about a third of each nail. I don't use polish anymore. I don't think most people would even notice. I've never had cracked heels thankfully, that looks painful. I enjoy soaking my feet in very warm water with Epsom salts and then just cleaning off the top surface of the nails with a glass cuticle pusher and cleaning under with nail tools I have. Generally, my nails keep their filed shape for quite a while. I like using a lavender cuticle oil as well, for scent. I do like the idea of using the creams you suggest, so maybe I will add some to my mani/pedi kit. I change shoes a lot, so maybe that helps as well.

[@runnergirl4625]

Thanks for the great overview of Footcare Tips. Fortunately don't have nail or foot fungus, nor odor. And, while my feet look great for having trained for and completing 31 marathons, I believe weekly pedicures helped with that. I no longer do weekly pedicures, so I do calluses on my heals and big toe. I've been using Kerasol. Works really well for me. Just recently, did one of the foot exfoliator masks like you suggested. I don't recall the brand. They had three packs at CostCo. It was satisfying over the week to have the dead layers of skin shed off. Thanks again!

[@marym1485]

What is the name of the Costco product? Thanks.

[@bluejay9241]

This was so fascinating and helpful!! Thank you!!

[@pappas62]

Lova Skin Instant Foot Peel has been the best treatment I have found for my excessive dry feet.

[@summawub]

Teatree oil worked great to get rid of my dad’s nail fungus. Used 2x/wk for a few months.

[@smoothielover07]

Thank you for sharing this valuable info!

[@lorrainebonilla8052]

I live on a tropical island and have my share of foot inch thank you so much now I can do something to stop and prevent it 👏👏👏❤

[@alicereed1894]

Thank you for your help with this subject and many others!

[@305mom7]

Cracked heels has a direct correlation to a fatty liver. I've been working on mine and the dry cracked heel has sloooowly been getting smaller and smoother. The topical helps but internal care is key.

[@sdarling6518]

Correlation is not causation, walking around with bare feet and not moisturizing is an actual cause of dry and cracked feet.

[@krw73]

I've used super glue a few times on heal cracks and it works great to seal the split

[@pnketia]

Wow this was very helpful information! I will try some of the products you mentioned. Thank you.

[@vanessaamante9654]

Highly recommended too for cracked heels is the glysolid glycerin cream. In just 1-3 overnight of using it, my cracked heels were gone. And using it regularly to maintain my flawless feet. 😊

[@lisac.8266]

I used to notice I would get toenail fungus after getting my yearly pedicure in the summer. And it wasn’t from the tools. I think it was from soaking my feet and toenails weren’t completely dry when polish was applied. I do have a damaged toenail that tends to look like fungus all the time. But I no longer get pedicures with polish. Thanks for all the information you share with us.

[@pamelasprings6723]

Wow that is a good perception. You are so right, They should use a hair dryer on the nails before the polish.

[@bethmathews8465]

We use menthol scented isopropyl alcohol in our tennis shoes, let them sit for an hour or two then throw them in the laundry. Works wonders getting the smell out. We also lightly spray them between uses to keep them fresh and kill bacteria.

[@anna-mariejene1139]

Excellent vid! Thank u very much for such great info - that is also easy to understand.

[@cheerfulgoth]

In case it has not already been recommended, the product, On Your Toes, is an absolute life-saver when it comes to stinky feet and shoes. My partner had horribly smelly feet and, after trying several different products, I came across On Your Toes. I doubted it would work, but it absolutely did! It's not cheap, but a little goes a long way. You dust the inside of your shoes and you can dust it on your feet as well and it works! Some of his older, stinkier shoes took a couple applications, but even those eventually stopped being stinky. I highly recommend giving it a try.

[@csstudio3648]

Great info! Thanks, very helpful.

[@bobbiwiniecki2704]

Love this! Also, remember fungus needs sugar so if you consume sugar you should greatly reduce or removd it from your diet.

[@barbaraschultz1442]

YES!!!! Sugar feeds yeast and fungus!

[@scruffyo4460]

Don’t be silly sugar won’t make smelly feet 😊

[@dorisbetts3012]

@@scruffyo4460 But toenail fungus is not smelly. Or at least mine wasn't. Going off sugar certainly helped clear any acne I had. Getting off it certainly wouldn't hurt.

[@lauriebradbury6553]

AMEN !!!

[@smithandpepper4308]

Your brain runs on sugar so 😬😬😬. Just cut out processed sugar, but leave in the good sugar from fruit. 👍

[@itsajahthing]

I don't use lotion on my feet, I use castor oil because it absorbs better especially between the toes after a bath. I have also found that epsom salt soaks help my toes with softening the toe nail and applying vick's afterwards which works better UNDER the nail but hard to do.

[@pquack51]

What a great, educational video! I learned a lot! TYFS!

[@Elnails323]

As a licensed nail tech (who’s done more pedicures than I can count), I often shared many of these tips with my clients. You were spot on! I never thought about using Certain dry or Lume on the feet...I’m going to try that.

[@2Tails98]

Lume is definitely a game changer. I use the body wash and the creme deodorant on my feet.

[@cynthiakeller5954]

Lume is the only product that works on my underarm stank.

[@cynthiakeller5954]

My husband has disgusting foot fungus. He's embarrassed to go to a pedicurist/nail tech. Is that something a nail tech could work on? He won't go to any type of doctor.

[@Lyddiebits]

Cynthia, I was scrolling the comments, lotta people talking about thyme oil for nail fungus. Go take a look at the comments and I hope your husband's feet get under control and healthy.

[@cynthiakeller5954]

@@Lyddiebits Thanks for the ideas. My husbands toenails are SCARY! Ugh, and he asks me to cut them. They gross me out everytime.

[@kitkatpen]

Kerasal ointment is awesome. You're right that it works almost immediately. And it's cheap! 😃

[@theshanny8]

I have used a few of the products you suggested and you have suggested some stellar products. This is absolutely the best video I have seen regarding these subjects. And I absolutely love that you suggested super glue. I use it all the time. I use it on my cuticles when they get little cuts on them and they sting so bad. If you use super glue, it gives enough of a protection on it that that stinging goes away and it can heal. Super glue is awesome! Once in a while it will sting a little bit when you first put it on but after that it goes away and it works wonderfully. Thank you so much for this video and you're adorable! Your personality is just absolutely adorable and your content is absolutely stellar. I have much admiration for you. Warmest regards and thank you again

[@gwynaethatwood-pettit2468]

Your skin is insanely beautiful.

[@kathleenellison6869]

I have found putting 1/2 of a dryer sheet in each shoe really helps. It even works on my son who uses it in his athletic shoes.

[@dorisbetts3012]

I wonder about the toxicity of dryer sheets. Maybe with socks on it would be safer, though.

[@smithandpepper4308]

@@dorisbetts3012 agreed 😬 the chemicals in dryer sheets, or anything perfumed for that matter, are bad news...

[@jenwynn19]

Thank you for the video. Great content. I tried the Kerasal when I had cracks in my heels. I was amazed at how well it worked, and how quickly it worked. I’m still using it.

[@ggyefekr6595]

Thank you! You doing a great job! Keep it up!!!

[@kristiLB93]

This was great information! Very useful for me.

[@pamelakilponen3682]

In summer I have bad cracked heals. I notice in winter they ease up. I think it is indeed the socks thing. I use Vicks Vaporub mixed with CeraVe, then socks. My feet love that combo.

[@lpetitoiseau9146]

I became aware of foot care when my grandma began to have toenail problems and cracked dry feet. 1) Nail maintenance. 2) Soak in warm water & Epsom salts. 3) Dry those feet after they get wet! 4) Gentle callous filing. 5) Bag Balm nightly and 6) sleeping with socks. I will use the Super glue idea when I get those horrible cracks in my big toe and heel. Thank you for your advice.

[@ThePickerman]

Bag Balm is what I have been using. Great product.

[@daniellecomeau2996]

Yes to Bag Balm.

[@carmens.8817]

Thank you for all the great information!

[@B.H.56]

I found O'Keefe's Healthy Feet works well on my cracked heels. Also their Working Hands cream works wonders on my hands that get so dry in the winter. I use both every night before bed.

[@ubermind-tim]

Dr. Ellis, thanks for your recommendations. My greatest succeses have come from using tea tree oil applied to the toe nail and full length of each infected toe for toenail fungus. For cracked heels and foot fungus castor oil works wonders in less than 1 week. I would hesitate to apply or ingest any product which contains aluminum.

[@dogloverlmh9197]

The nail fungus was fixed for me by essential oils (thyme and tea tree). I put it in Vicks to make it stronger then put it on my toes. Tea tree has actually gotten a fingernail to reattach to the nail bed. And the half socks with kerasol or urea lotion is great for fissure cracks. Super glue was actually created for open wounds in the military till they could get to a physician.

[@AuntieD.]

I'm barefoot 90% of the time and wear arch supportive sandals a lot. I inherited my mom's dry cracked heels and have had huge bleeding fissures in the past, along with horrible blisters underneath the calloused cracked skin (thanks theme parks). I've used so many items &products over so many years. A Microplane grater( Like Ped-egg but bigger) followed by sandpaper-like foot file/smoother, plus KERASAL has changed my life. Kerasal really works! Also, no stinky feet here, but LUME works on other body parts!

[@nancysmith-baker1813]

Thankyou , appreciate you explaining the ingredients too .very good vid .

[@trishodonoghue9143]

Tip: another thing that helps with dry cracked heels is to soak your heels in hot water with epsom salts for at least 20 minutes and then scrub them with a pumice stone or whatever you have. If the heels are really bad, you would need to do it daily, but you can work your way up to weekly. And I use the lavender scented ones. It's really helped my heels!

[@janine-Saved-By-Grace-Alone]

I beg to differ! I listened to someone say the same thing about Epson salts and I tried it and it made my cracked heels way worst. The salt takes out all the moisture in the skin which made my dry skin way worst!

[@mindybrown-haugen3115]

you are wonderful Dr. Ellis. thanks so much for factual, science backed. no-nonsense info.

[@JustOne-qe7jl]

Great information! Thank you Dr. Ellis.

[@debbiesokoloff1991]

Very useful information, thank you!

[@xassy]

Dr. Ellis, dried heels are also a symptom of circulatory and hormonal problems and those problems need to be treated. All the tips you gave are great and they will help but it is important to treat circulatory issues. Fungus nails my husband took an oral medication and he got the fungus again and tea tree oil took them off, tea tree oil is also great for food odor as it kills the bacteria.

[@RedNicole22]

They almost always want to discount herbs, and ofc it doesn’t always work for everyone so they blame that, and pharma doesn’t work for everyone either, but the side effects are serious. I agree we need to get to the root cause of the condition, not treat the symptoms. That’s what’s wrong with western medicine.

[@BbGun-lw5vi]

Yes. Diabetes often causes cracked heels.

[@halfmanhalfamazing9812]

@@BbGun-lw5vimore so the neuropathy that diabetics tend to get causes the dry feet.

[@BbGun-lw5vi]

@@halfmanhalfamazing9812 Yes. Of course. But the diabetes is causing the nerve damage.

[@cindymoore9096]

9:32 When my heels used to crack painfully I got in the habit of carrying hydrocolloid bandages with me. (Superglue is a little inconvenient on the go.) The hydrocolloid material would fill the crack quickly and stop the pain almost immediately.

[@amyh8144]

A holy grail product for me that has been a game changer: Fresh Wave Odor Eliminating & Deodorizing Packs. One pack in each shoe and it keeps my shoes from smelling. Also have added to shoeboxes when storing shoes off-season.

[@inthevortex-de1rh]

Thank you so much for this video. It's really helpful

[@sky123me]

Vick's Vapo Rub does indeed work for nail fungus. You need to do it nightly for three months. I used the one with lavender--it smelled less horrible. :)

[@lynnhenry1071]

hi interested to know if your fungal nail was a white chalky looking variety or was it a darker orange/brown?

[@christinemack2153]

Dr. Ellis, your videoss are always excellent and so well thought out, thank you for your time. I like to travel with the DERMdoctor antiperspirant wipes and they are very effective. Have a nice week.

[@tweakablelifecreations6543]

Thank you for the chapters, I just have issues with heel crack.

[@cheryldonatell6055]

Thank you for your informative videos!

[@BubbleBurster-nv1vl]

I can attest to the advice of using Listerine Original Antiseptic Mouthwash, (yellow or golden colored liquid), on your toe nail to remove that yellow fungus. I only had it on my big toe nail on my left foot. Every day, I'd take a square of toilet paper, fold it in half, dunk in a small container of Listerine, wrap it around my big toe, use a plastic sanwhich bag, slip my foot into it and use a rubber band around my foot to keep it in place and go about my day. I would keep it on for an hour and then remove it and put on a cotton sock. The KEY is to do this EVERY DAY! You can not be hit or miss with it. You could also do this when you go to bed and get hours of soaking - just put a sock over it if you think you may dislodge it sleeping. It really works! Initially when you do this, the fungus will look yellow. As you continue to do this, the fungus will turn white as your nail grows out. Your nail will be perfectly normal. Keep it trimmed as you do this. Your toe nail will grow out and it's gone! No doctor visits, expensive medications, expensive lotions or liver damaging prescriptions and you get rid of it at your convenience. I was surprised that it works but it does!!!! Inexpensive and works!

[@susanschultz1762]

I used to have feet that stank so bad that I had to throw away perfectly good shoes because I couldn't get the stink out. I got a pedicure removing all the dead skin cells, then I bought new shoes (so I didn't put the bacteria back on my feet), and finally, I put regular underarm deodorant (Mitchum) on my feet after every shower. I haven't had stinky feet since then (at least 10 years). And no more throwing away perfectly good shoes!

[@jodrew1845]

I work in scrubs, at a hospital and one of the practices I have adopted is using an orthotic pad in my shoe. I clean that pad weekly and wipe the interior of the shoe with a saturated cloth of Listerine, original scent.

[@paulastafford1642]

Thank you that was very helpful. I also use petroleum jelly on my feet (especially my heels) and cover with socks at bedtime to soften feet.

[@sk.n.9302]

I use baby oil & vaseline on my dry cracked heels (takes a few weeks) but works really well. Good for maintenance also.

[@ClaudiaArnold]

I use Dr. Scholl's cracked heel cream with 25% urea as for me, occlusion alone does not seem to work. The good thing about urea creams is that you can rub the rest of the product into your (finger) cuticles and they will always stay thin, narrow and without hangnails.

[@ladielynn008]

Soak your feet in APPLE CIDER VINEGAR (with the mother brand) !!!!!!! Everyday or you can spray them with a spray bottle when it starts to feel itchy and dry that’s what I do! Your feet will feel amazing!!Thank me later!!

[@sonyabennett2730]

I use baby oil & Vaseline on my cracked heels as well, saves a lot of money on pricey moisturizers.

[@josealeman332]

Vick worked for me on my yellow nails, now I always apply it after taking a shower just in case, the toenails look normal now.

[@bettyboop1524]

We used original Listerine for fungus on horses, worked like a charm.