Ingrained dirt on skin

starman99

I have an embarrassing problem of ingrained dirt around both ankles built over years of neglect.
The problem is however hard i scrub everyday, it still does not go away.
I've tried soaking my feet in the bath tub for long periods, scrubbing hard with a body scrub and pumice stone etc. The problem is if i scrub too hard, it starts to bleed.
Any suggestions of a way to remove the dirt without stating the obvious of having a bath?
Thanks

jinnywren

Maybe try exfoliators?

McKneff

Dont scrub till it bleeds, you will invite infection.

Go see the nurse at your Doctor's practice.

Bronnie

Are you sure it's ingrained dirt?

Do you have varicose veins? This can cause skin discolouration around the ankle area.

Best get it checked out, no need to be embarrassed!

aliasojo

If it genuinely is just ingrained dirt, get yourself a foot spa and use regularly. It will help loosen the dirt particles.

Savvy_Sue

Thorough and regular moisturising might help?

LittleTinker

It wont be dirt.....your skin renews itself completely over a few weeks so any dirt will be stripped when the skin sheds.
Are you diabetic?

cattkitt

Can you post a link to a picture?
I had dark patches on my elbows. I've been using bicarb on a face towel for a few to scrub them, just for a few seconds during showering. I've now got one nice elbow and one dark elbow

missm29

Have you tried rubbing washing powder into the skin? my otherhalf is a builder and this is what he does when a shower wont shift the grime. Also moisturise - dry cracked skin invites the dirt to settle.

Bronnie

cattkitt wrote: »

Can you post a link to a picture?
I had dark patches on my elbows. I've been using bicarb on a face towel for a few to scrub them, just for a few seconds during showering. I've now got one nice elbow and one dark elbow

cattkitt another OS remedy for this is to sit for a few minutes with your elbows in squeezed-out lemon halves a few times a week.

( You can keep the lemon halves in a plastic bag in the fridge and get a few goes out of them , you can also top them up with a few squirts of Jif lemon, cos fresh lemons are quite expensive!!)

cattkitt

Thank you. Have to try that.

Am beginning to appreciate why rich folk go to spas. The mess created by splashing/moulting henna and indigo all over the place, as well as all the assorted fruit sacrificed and attached to us, is amazing. I was in the shower at a swimming pool yesterday, and was eyeing up the easily washed down expanse of tiled shower and changing room, wondering if there was a socially acceptable way I could apply indigo there, and walk out with a nifty turban, with all the indigo still on my hair, to return in a few hours.