HealthiBetic Foot Cream
 

Has anyone used this foot cream? Below is some information from their website: http://strategicscience.com/healthibetic.html

HealthiBetic™ Transdermal L-Arginine Foot Cream

1.8 oz ( 50 ml) $ 9.95
4 oz (113 ml) $ 19.95

HealthiBetic Foot Cream offers a unique and effective solution to many foot problems experienced by people with diabetes and neuropathy. This patented transdermal formula is clinically proven to improve blood flow and relieve foot discomfort, and is also a great moisturizer for the skin.

The body keeps feet warm and healthy by providing them with warm, oxygenated blood. In a Pilot Study use of this transdermal L-Arginine cream significantly improved both temperature and blood flow to the feet. On average, temperature increased 5-8 degree F. and blood flow increased 33-35 %. HealthiBetic Foot Cream provides the natural amino acid L-Arginine to the foot tissue. L-Arginine is converted to Nitric Oxide which causes foot arterioles to dilate and provide the foot with an opportunity to restore its own blood flow through its own natural mechanisms.

This all sounds good, but.....does it work http://bestsmileys.com/clueless/4.gif

Not one I've tried...
 

Keralac or Carmol serve as the heavy duty stuff for me. Ammonium lactate as a basic moisturizer, or sensitive-skin generic lotions. I've steriod ointments should I need them [tho prescribed for other issues, but also applicable here] I have not needed them.

That all, combined with regular podiatry appointments for the trim [of skin changes] and checks, well, I do just fine in this quarter.

Since my podiatrist was one of the loudest to suggest I get a second opinion regarding my neuropathy, which I did, HE, thus helped to keep my condition from becoming, possibly disastrous. I owe this guy LOTS! As in the facts that I found a neuro I trust, I get treatments I need, I am mobile [except for my knee fracture last month] mostly, and, have a lot of docs putting a lot of effort in easing me on thru life!

Please read the last stickie posted at the top....It's all about your skin and what happens with diabetes and/or PN. Having some clues as to what's happening can help you deal with it all. It's complicated and simple at the same time! Good thoughts! - j

This looks interesting...
 

I am going to check it out.

But I wonder, my feet feel worse when hot/warm and better when cooler.

But overall if it improves circulation, it can't hurt.

One thing I found, while experiementing with ointments...anything that
protects the skin layer from air temp...seems to help. It can just be
plain old Aquaphor with no active ingredients. Seems that a barrier to the air
stops some skin sensations, that we perceive as unpleasant.

Yesterday, the medic from Dr.Fred's office gave Alan free samples of Elidel. Alan has bad psoriasis and bad excema. So we are trying this.
Two times a day. Insurance doesn't cover this creme unless you get it pre-approved by a doctor and then it has to go through hoops to get the insurance company to cover it.

I called Alan's insurance company and the co-pay for this creme is $75.00 for a 30 g tube. What does it cost in the pharmacy for the same tube (without insurance)??? $66.00

Go figure!!!!

http://bestsmileys.com/christmas1/19.gif

Weeellllll
 

I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, Mel.

One reason that insurance won't cover this is that there is a cancer warning
with Elidel. This showed up in post-marketing data.
http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/advisor...l_protopic.htm

My husband has psoriasis too. He uses plain old 1% Hydrocortisone cream
OTC, and it works fine.

from http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/172/9/1179

Yep - have tried it . . .
 

In my never-ending search for topicals that help a little bit, I tried HealthiBetic. It sounded well, healthy. I was concerned that my feet would feel too hot after using it, but I figured, what the hey.

Result: It DID make my feet too hot. I only used a little on my "better" foot, so it was not too painful. However, I do not know if every PN'er would be affected the same way - and maybe some would actually enjoy that sensation.

rfinney

That sounds like topical Viagra for the feet. I wonder if it would work on ... never mind.;)

Good one David!!!
 

I haven't tried any particular creams, but my friend turned me on to a grade of lanolin that is sold over-the-counter, Lanolin, Hydrous. The WalMart pharmacy keeps it behind the counter. It is a more pure grade of lanolin, without all of the stuff they put into it to make it greasy. If I use it on my feet at night, I will wear socks over it. It softens after the body temp warms it. She does pottery and it has worked wonders on her dry and cracked hands.

My feet dry and crack horribly and (please don't faint, MrsD) when I get a pedicure, they have to shave the bottoms of my feet with a razor. It is gross! I know, I know, you shouldn't do that, but they are awful looking and my husband won't let my feet anywhere near him in the bed...

Cathie

Cathie, you mean like...
 

shaving an orange peel? Before my PN, callouses were thick. Now, just a bit.

The Keralac or Carmol is just as expensive, Mel, but is gettable thru most plan pharmacies. It doesn't take much to soften the tough, scaliness. Just be SURE to wash your hands rite after applications, I've taken finish of wood furniture with the stuff! It does keep the skin cracking at bay tho. - j

David
 

David!! You DIDN'T say that did you. Wicked man.;)

Billye

interesting hypothesis...
 

David.

Arginine is in OTC Viagra-like ED products used orally. I don't know if it is strong enough tho:p to apply topically.

There are studies using liquid Viagra and women, but I won't go there either;)

I used HethiBetic for several month. I did not feel any heat and did not detect any benefits.

Shaving an orange peel...
 

Yes indeed, it is just like that, maybe a little deeper-but not enough to bleed if done correctly. It leaves you with very soft feet and a big, yukky pile of dead skin on a towel... They use a special razor with a new blade each time...

Actually, I am not sure that they are supposed to be doing that, but it makes my feet feel so much better, I try not to consider that...

Cathie

Cathie: It's that or...
 

develop cracks [fissues] that are prone to infections and worse nasty stuff. On top of that, all that callous can block up sweat glands-which in turn can acquire badness you don't want to consider. Replay all those diabetic foot problem horror stories you've ever heard.

I see my podiatrist more than my neuro. He is my best barometer on how I'm doing...and a good measurer of any progress. At times THERE IS SOME! - j

Healthibetic Foot Cream
 

In reply to the poster who wonders how effictive Healthibetic foot cream is...

Hello. I have used HealthiBetic foot cream for the past 5 years and am completely satisfied with it. I noticed that Foot Smart is selling a less expensive product called Healthifeet foot cream. The packaging is exactly the same but there seems to be a significant difference in the ingredients. Unlike Healthibetic, Healthifeet does NOT list L-arginine as an active ingredient. It does mention L-arginine in its add but in the list of ingredients it does not list L-arginine. Does anybody know if this is the same product? Or is it an expensive imposter. I don't want to spend money on a "look-alike" product if it isn't exactly as effective as healthibetic.

This may seem like a strange question, but how many PNers are struggling with psoriasis or similar conditions? Does any one besides me have oncholysis in their nails, along with issues in their distal phalangeal joints? My fingernail thing isn't just a fingernail issue, as the joint is also involved...It is the bird finger, left hand....pretty ugly site these days.

I don't want to highjack the thread, but it seems to be going the way of discussion of skin related stuff anyway.

This product--- lists l-arginine...
http://www.footsmart.com/P-Healthife...-oz-50364.aspx
The little PDF that comes up for this product only lists INactive ingredients.--and hidden in there is capsicum!
This causes burning for many of us.

I am trying to find the exact amount of l-arginine in each cream. Not having any luck.
However Healthibetic is a Canadian product, and may have a different name here--Healthifeet?

Notice that the thermal imaging does not show any improvements in the toe/ball of the foot area:
http://www.healthibetic.ca/healthibetic/prodinform.html

Here--- finally I found the website for Healthifeet cream--
No actual amount (%) of the included arginine is listed however, but they do have a toll free # you can call:
http://www.argininewellness.com/healthifeet.html
Notice in the lower left hand corner... both names appear!
Healthibetic/Healthifeet
I suspect they are the same. And look carefully at the tube...the large picture. Both names appear on the tube too.

Thank you, mrsD
 

In response to mrsD's post...

Thank you, mrsD, for the information. I didn't think to look at thier website, but the little pop-up list of ingredients didn't list L-arginine. Well, I guess I can go ahead and place an order for the less expensive Healthifeet cream. $19.95 isn't bad. Some of these products are so expensive but as long as they work I'll keep buying. I think the rule of thumb is the closer an ingredient is listed to the top of the list, the bigger the amount in the product. I know that doesn't answer your question about the % of L-arginine in the product, but the ingredients list of the two products are virtually identical. I'm an RN and I am on my feet for much of my 12 hour shifts. Before I discovered Healthibetic I really thought I'd have to retire from nursing. Healthibetic has made a huge difference - the burning is now gone. Before Healthibetic I was trying everything to turn off the blow torches on my toes - moisturizing creams, foot powders, many different socks, and a fortune in different shoes. Nothing Worked. It's really amazing how L-arginine (I believe) has stopped the burning. I noticed how several people on this board have mentioned Methyl B12. I am already taking Folic Acid and I think I'll give Methyl B12 a try. Maybe there is NO magic bullet. Maybe it is a combination of little things that take away the nasty symptoms of neurothapy. We just have to find the right combination. Good Luck, and Thanks.

Nick

Ever since my son had Mono...he's had Raynaud's in his hands and feet...comes and goes. I just sent him an email to
try this too. So thanks for bringing it up.

I have some cold feet issues too, ever since I was diagnosed hypothyroid. The Synthroid helps, but I have residual spells of cold still. My doctor just switched my blood pressure meds around a bit, and now I am on Imdur 30mg/day. It has done wonders for my cold feet! In fact my "cold everything" this winter! You might try a nitrate and see if that helps you.
(I had to titrate slowly up to the 30...from 15mg a 1/2 tab.)..as the headache was ferocious...for about 3 days. Caffeine seemed to help that too. But my cold feet are not cold anymore! ;) And my BPs are better too.