Right, Im due to have a baby next week and over the last few weeks Ive had tremendous swelling in my legs and feet especially. I can just about get a pair of crocs on and thats it. Anyway Ive noticed over the weekend I have an angry looking split on my heel and just under, for about an inch. Now Ive never had any problems with sores before and certainly dont intend to start now. So what should I be doing to make sure it heals up fast? To be honest any medical intervention is unlikely now until the baby arrives and the swelling goes down, I just want to make sure it doesnt become a problem I could do without.

Cheers
L

Moisturise to within an inch of it's life! Keep the skin as soft as possible, once the swelling goes down it should heel up fine. A good excuse to put your feet up (if you can find the time!)

owww!!! is it skin? or skin and tissue?

Emma.

Keep it clean and moisturized, but not to the point of being wet.

How's your fluid intake? Getting enough water? And, forgive my bluntness, but are you peeing enough? A good flow-through of water and electrolytes is important.

Oh Lucydog, I feel badly for you. I know how it is. I call it the split hoof syndrome. The weather in AZ is very dry and when I work, it's out of my home, so 99% of the time, I'm barefoot. I even walk on my chipped granite yard (no grass) barefoot and my heel has cracked through every layer of skin. Sometimes too lazy or in a hurry to grab shoes.

Everyone here has given you very good advice about moisturizing. I use an antibiotic cream (Neosporin with pain relief) and sometimes I use a butterfly bandage to try to keep the skin together. I don't know if you can use anything like this since you are expecting or not. Always good to make sure the wound is clean.

I can't wait to see pictures of the baby that you've been carrying forever!

There is a great Avon product called "Foot Works Cracked Heel Relief Cream". The name says it all. It's an excellent product, worth looking into if you have consistent issues. If anyone is interested in the ingredients I can look it up for you. If you are diabetic however, this is NOT something you should use without doctor's consent.

Thanks for the replies everyone. The split is actually quite deep and I can see its looking red and sore inside, thats why I was concerned. i will take everyones advice and fingers crossed it will heal up once Im a 'free' woman again. Ive never had issues with sores before so obviously I dont want to start now!
thanks
L

Yikes Lucy.... red and sore are usually signs of infection so definitely take care with that. Maybe you could do leg wrappings until you give birth... a way to keep good compression w/out the pressure being on the open sore. It's what I did in the edema clinic when my leg swelling got out of control, much like you've described. Might want to ask your doc before you do anything at all... better safe than sorry. Best to you with this delivery!