Discover effective solutions for relieving dry, cracked feet. Get expert advice on preventing and treating this common foot condition. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and risk factors associated with fissures on the feet.

Understanding the Causes of Cracked Feet

Cracked feet, also known as fissures, are a common foot condition that can be both unsightly and painful. The primary cause of cracked feet is the buildup of dry, thickened skin, known as calluses, on the soles and heels of the feet. These calluses can create an ideal environment for the skin to crack, leading to discomfort and potential infection.

Other factors that can contribute to the development of cracked feet include:

• Obesity: Excess weight can put additional stress on the feet, leading to the formation of calluses and cracks.
• Medical conditions: Certain conditions, such as diabetes, eczema, and psoriasis, can increase the risk of developing cracked feet.
• Frequent barefoot or rough surface walking: Going barefoot or walking on jagged or rough surfaces can cause the skin on the feet to become damaged and cracked.

Preventing Cracked Feet

Preventing cracked feet involves maintaining healthy, well-moisturized skin on the feet. Here are some tips to help prevent the development of cracked feet:

1. Soak and exfoliate: Regularly soaking your feet for 15-20 minutes and then using a pumice stone or other exfoliating tool to remove dead skin can help keep the feet smooth and crack-free.
2. Moisturize regularly: Apply a thick, fragrance-free moisturizer to your feet, especially the heels and balls of the feet, on a daily basis.
3. Wear protective footwear: Wear shoes or sandals when walking to protect your feet from rough surfaces and environmental factors that can contribute to cracked skin.
4. Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your skin, including the skin on your feet, well-hydrated.

Treating Cracked Feet

If you’re already experiencing cracked feet, there are several home remedies and treatments that can help alleviate the symptoms and promote healing:

Home Remedies

Similar to the preventative measures, home treatments for cracked feet include soaking, exfoliating, and moisturizing the feet. You can also try the following:

• Petroleum jelly or thick creams: Applying a thick, occlusive moisturizer like petroleum jelly or thick, fragrance-free creams can help seal in moisture and promote healing.
• Wearing socks overnight: Applying a moisturizer and then wearing socks to bed can help trap the moisture and soften the skin.
• Using a pumice stone or foot file: Gently filing down the thickened, cracked skin can help improve the appearance and comfort of the feet.

Professional Treatment

If home remedies are not providing relief or the cracked feet are significantly impacting your daily life, it’s recommended to seek professional treatment from a podiatrist. A podiatrist can:

1. Provide a proper diagnosis: They can determine the underlying cause of the cracked feet, whether it’s due to a medical condition, poor foot mechanics, or another factor.
2. Prescribe medicated creams or ointments: For severe cases, a podiatrist may recommend prescription-strength moisturizers or other topical treatments to help heal the cracks.
3. Perform debridement: In some cases, a podiatrist may need to carefully remove the thickened, callused skin to promote healing.
4. Recommend custom orthotics: For patients with foot biomechanical issues, custom orthotics can help reduce friction and prevent the formation of calluses and cracks.

Identifying the Symptoms of Cracked Feet

The primary symptom of cracked feet is the visible presence of cracks or fissures on the skin of the feet, particularly on the heels and balls of the feet. Other symptoms may include:

• Flaky, peeling skin
• Redness and inflammation
• Itching or burning sensation
• Thickened, rough skin texture
• Gray or ashy appearance of the skin

It’s important to note that the symptoms of cracked feet can sometimes be similar to those of other foot conditions, such as bacterial or fungal infections. If the symptoms persist or worsen, it’s best to seek medical attention from a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Risk Factors for Developing Cracked Feet

Several factors can increase the risk of developing cracked feet, including:

• Dry environment: Living in a dry climate or spending a lot of time in low-humidity environments can lead to the skin on the feet becoming dry and prone to cracking.
• Frequent exposure to moisture: Allowing the feet to become too moist on a regular basis can lead to bacterial and fungal infections, which can contribute to the development of cracked skin.
• Biomechanical issues: Poor foot mechanics, such as improper gait or imbalanced weight distribution, can increase friction on the feet and lead to the formation of calluses and cracks.
• Underlying medical conditions: Diseases like diabetes, eczema, and psoriasis can all increase the risk of developing cracked feet.
• Obesity: Excess weight can put additional stress on the feet, leading to the formation of calluses and cracks.

By being aware of these risk factors and taking proactive steps to maintain healthy, well-moisturized feet, you can help prevent the development of cracked feet and the associated discomfort and potential complications.

Schedule a Consultation

If you’re struggling with persistent or severe cracked feet, it’s recommended to schedule a consultation with a podiatrist. They can provide a comprehensive evaluation, identify the underlying cause, and develop a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve healthy, crack-free feet. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and take the first step towards resolving your foot concerns.

What Do I Do About Cracked Feet?

posted: Jan. 25, 2017.

Have your dry and cracked feet begun affecting your daily life? Do you avoid wearing sandals because you feel embarrassed by the appearance of the cracked, dry skin on your feet? If so, you could use some help from your Salem, OR foot doctors at Cascade Foot Center. Learn more about how to treat dry, cracked feet with Dr. James Lisle and Dr. Lee Poston.

What causes cracked feet? 
A callus is a dry, thick patch of skin often found on the ball or heel of your foot. A callus provides the perfect environment for the skin to crack. A crack in the callus can be tender, itchy or even downright painful. Obesity and medical conditions which affect the feet like diabetes, eczema and psoriasis can also contribute to cracked calluses. Those who often go barefoot or walk on jagged or rough surfaces can also cause cracked feet.

How can I prevent my feet from cracking? 
Preventing your feet from cracking can be as easy as preventing calluses from forming. If you notice the skin on your feet becoming thickened or rough, try soaking your feet for 15 to 20 minutes then exfoliating them with a pumice stone. Before bed, apply some kind of moisturizer, lotion or foot cream and cover your feet with socks. Doing this once or twice a week helps keep your feet smooth and crack-free. Drink plenty of water and keep your feet moisturized, especially through summer when they are more exposed to the outside elements.

Dry and Cracked Feet Treatments in Salem, OR 
Cracked feet usually respond well to home treatments similar to the preventative treatments listed above. Soaking the feet, exfoliating them using a pumice stone and slathering them with moisturizer before bed can all help to relieve the symptoms of your cracked feet. However, if your cracked feet begin affecting your daily life or do not respond to this treatment, you should contact your podiatrist for other treatments.

For more information on dry, cracked feet, please contact Dr. Lisle and Dr. Poston at Cascade Foot Center in Salem, OR. Call (503) 588-8188 to schedule your appointment with your podiatrist today!

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Foot & Ankle Specialty Group

What Causes Fissures?

Most fissures on your foot occur as a result of allowing the feet to consistently be too dry or too moist, for different reasons. A dried-out foot as a result of a dry environment and lack of moisturizing will lead to the skin losing flexibility and cracking in areas where it once stretched and twisted healthily. 

Other Causes of Fissures

• Biomechanics: Increased friction due to poor mechanics will lead to excessive callus formation. Patients need custom corrective orthotics to improve the mechanical stability of the foot, reduce friction, and reduce callus formation and the risk of infection. 
• Severe calluses and corns: Fissures can also arise as a result of severe calluses and corns which lead the skin to split.
• Various skin problems: Different root causes generally give way to different fissure areas: cracked heels are more strongly associated with simple dry skin, for example, while cracks forming between your toes usually point to a fungal infection as the root cause.

Fissure Symptoms

It’s easy to identify fissures visually on the feet, but figuring out their origin requires more attention to detail.  

• Shared symptoms for dry feet and infections include flaking and peeling, redness, itching, and scaling. 
• Symptoms more associated with dry feet include skin tightness, rough skin, lines and cracks, and gray or ashy skin.
• Symptoms of calluses include thick, hardened patches of skin or a waxy or rough texture

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Allowing your feet to become too moist on a regular basis will lead to bacterial and fungal infections. It can sometimes be difficult to tell which problem you’re experiencing, as these infections and other secondary causes of cracks usually begin to look roughly the same as simple dry skin; ashy, flaky skin. Symptoms of a bacterial or fungal infection include:

• Blisters
• Weakening skin
• Burning
• Warmth
• Smell
• Swelling
• Discoloration
• Fever
• Drainage

Risk Factors for Fissures

The risk factors for fissures on your feet are best described in terms of the risk factors for dry skin, fungal infections, bacterial infections, and calluses for your feet. These risks include:

Physical Activity

Increased physical activity due to sports, occupation, or hobbies increase your risk of fissures from all sources due to environmental factors, increased risk of exposure to infections, etc.

Diabetes & Age

Older people are at increased risk of both dry skin and various forms of foot infection.

Diabetics are at increased risk of all infections and need to be alert to foot problems in particular.

Climate

Climates that are dry, cool, and/or low humidity will contribute to an increased risk of dry skin-induced fissures — while warm, humid climates can predispose you to bacterial and fungal infections.

Water

Those who regularly get their feet wet and dry again will be at increased risk, i.e., working in wet environments without proper gear.

Chlorine

Swimming in chlorinated pools increases the risk of dry skin on your feet — and swimming in general can be a source of fungal infections. Be sure to take hygiene seriously after a swim.

Foot Injuries

Any foot injury which breaks the skin can increase your risk of serious infections, which can lead to fissures.

Prevention of Fissures

To avoid developing fissures on your feet, you need to prevent infections and dry skin. Here’s how you can best do that:

Wear clean socks. Good, clean socks are vital to preventing dry feet and infections due to excessive moisture.

Wear the right shoes. Wearing shoes that fit you properly and are clean will reduce your risk of infections and injuries, and will even minimize your chance of developing fissures due to calluses.

Practice good hygiene. Good hygiene (but without excessive use of drying-out soaps) is your best hope for preventing fissures on your feet. You want to avoid infections without drying out your skin from excessive cleaning.

Moisturize. Moisturizing your feet is a good idea even if you’re more worried about infections — especially if you’re cleaning frequently.

Limit water exposure. If you’re prone to fissures due to infections or dry skin, limiting the exposure your feet have to water can be beneficial. Wear good waterproof boots if you need to be in wet environments.

Treatment for Fissures

The best solution to your fissures is going to depend on the severity of the openings and the root cause of the issue. In most cases, treating the base cause of the fissure will be enough, with no need to focus on treating the fissures in particular. That means moisturizing your feet, using anti-fungals or antibiotic ointments, or wearing shoes that fit to prevent calluses. lf your fissures are showing raw skin or bleeding, however, you may be at risk for more serious infections and should see a doctor immediately to be safe.

Foot & Ankle Specialty Group for Fissure Treatment

If you’re seeking treatment for your fissures, our team at Foot & Ankle Specialty Group can help with simple, in-office treatments. In business since 2001, our modern, sophisticated, family-friendly podiatry clinic provides treatment for foot and ankle services of all kinds. 

Founded by Dr. Salma Aziz and with Dr. Petrina Yokay and Dr. Jessica Arneson, Foot & Ankle Specialty Group has everything you need to take care of your feet. We are a nurturing female doctor group that follows up with care.

Cracks in the feet – causes and treatment

Cracks in the feet rarely appear suddenly. As a rule, the appearance of such a crack is preceded by symptoms such as dryness and peeling of the skin. If the patient does not pay attention to these signs in a timely manner, a rupture of the upper layer of the skin may occur – a crack appears.

Depending on the depth of the cracks, podologists distinguish between superficial and deep cracks on the feet. Experts warn – if even surface cracks appear, you should seek qualified medical help.

Many patients prefer to choose their own remedies to solve the problem of cracked feet. However, such a tactic will not bring the desired result – it is necessary first of all to identify the cause of the cracks and only then select the methods of treatment necessary in each individual case.

Causes of cracking and first signs

Cracks on the feet are caused by loss of skin elasticity. Because of this, the skin becomes dry and begins to peel off. Dry skin can be caused by a variety of reasons.

Specialists identify internal and external causes of cracked feet.

Internal causes are, first of all, diseases. Both organ diseases (for example, the digestive system) and metabolic disorders in the body, as well as podological problems (fungus, hyperkeratosis, dermatitis, etc.). Separately, it is worth noting the effect on the condition of the skin of thyroid diseases and hormonal disorders.

Patients with foot deformities, overweight people and those who adhere to strict unbalanced diets often face the problem of the appearance of cracks in the feet – due to a lack of vitamins and microelements, skin elasticity decreases.

External causes of cracked feet are those factors that affect the skin from the outside. First of all, these are shoes (when wearing tight, squeezing shoes, the likelihood of cracks on the skin increases), non-compliance with personal hygiene rules and improper foot skin care. Cracked feet are often a concern for those who wear synthetic socks and tights, often go barefoot, and abuse exfoliating treatments without good skin hydration after them.

Crack localization

These areas of the foot are the most prone to cracks in the skin:

• heel – cracks on it cause pain when walking and, as a rule, become a consequence of non-observance of hygiene rules; they also often occur in those who walk barefoot a lot;

• on the big toe – can signal the presence of a fungal infection, metabolic disorders, a number of diseases;

• between the fingers – a consequence of a fungal infection, diabetes, thyroid disease, etc.

How are cracked feet treated?

The goal of the upcoming treatment is to determine the cause of the crack and eliminate it. The easiest way is in cases where cracks have arisen due to improperly selected shoes or improper skin care – it is enough to eliminate the factor provoking their appearance.

If cracks occur due to a fungal infection or beriberi, the patient may be prescribed antifungal therapy or taking a complex of vitamins and microelements. Both can be prescribed only by a specialist!

The patient may also need antibiotic therapy if an infection has entered the wound and an inflammatory process has begun.

A professional pedicure will help to remove the keratinized layer of the skin – a hardware pedicure does an excellent job with this task. With it, you can remove only dead cells without affecting healthy ones. And to eliminate dry skin, the specialist selects moisturizing ointments and creams for the patient.

Many patients wonder if there are any home remedies for cracked feet that can be used. Podologists do not deny the beneficial effect of some of these methods – baths with decoctions of medicinal herbs, lotions, etc. However, experts recommend using any of these methods only under the supervision of a podologist. By themselves, alternative methods of treatment are ineffective – they can only be an auxiliary part of complex therapy.

Preventive measures

To avoid the problem of cracked feet, just follow a few simple rules:

1. Choose comfortable shoes that fit you. It must be made from natural materials.

2. Watch your diet – your diet should contain a sufficient amount of vitamins and microelements necessary for the body.

3. Follow the rules of personal hygiene – do not neglect foot skin care and apply for a pedicure only in specialized institutions. Do not wear (or even try on) someone else’s shoes.

4. Seek professional help if you experience any, even the most minor problems with the skin of the feet.

How to properly treat cracks in the feet

When cracks appear on the skin of the feet, it is necessary to consult an experienced podologist. You can get it at the Medical Center for Podology and Osteopathy of Tatyana Krasyuk – our podologists will determine the cause of the problem and help eliminate it, restoring your legs to health and well-groomed appearance.

treatment of fissure and prevention of disease

Cracked feet is one of the types of skin pathology that usually manifests itself in the summer. Most often they are localized on the toes and in the spaces between them, as well as on the heels or in the folds that appear when the foot is bent. Cracks cause pain when walking, cause moral and physical discomfort. It is easier to prevent their occurrence than to eliminate the cause of the problem, but if the symptoms have already shown themselves, treatment should be started.

Species

Cracks in the feet do not form immediately. First, corns appear, the skin of the feet dries out, changes its structure. Then longitudinal surface depressions appear on it, which resemble small creases. At this stage, it is not difficult to eliminate the problem, but when the crack forms to the end, the situation becomes more complicated.

Doctors distinguish 2 main types of cracks.

Epidermal

These are superficial formations affecting the stratum corneum and granular layer of the epidermis. They do not cause pain, but can cause moral discomfort, as they spoil the appearance of the feet. Epidermal cracks are easily treated in aesthetic medicine clinics, leaving no scars after healing.

Epidermal

Tears penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin. They damage the dermis and can affect the vessels located in it. In this case, many unpleasant symptoms appear: pain, bleeding, or even lameness. Timely therapy will help eliminate the signs of pathology, but most often, even after complete recovery, scars remain on the skin.

Causes

Cracks in the soles of the feet are formed for various reasons. They can be provoked by disturbances in the work of the internal systems of the body. For example:

• Endocrine diseases
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
• Kidney and liver pathologies
• Reduced dietary fat
• Allergic reactions
• Dermatological diseases
• Metabolic disorders
• Diseases of the cardiovascular system
• Hyperkeratosis

External factors can also affect the deterioration of the quality of the skin of the feet:

• Hot and humid climate
• Uncomfortable shoes
• Chemical attack (e.g. water with high chlorine content)
• Frequent visits to baths or saunas
• Poor foot hygiene (for example, a fungus may not cause cracking, but further dries the skin, preventing skin healing)
• Using rough materials during a pedicure

Treatment

Timely therapy is the key to solving the problem. When a patient contacts the clinic, the doctor conducts an examination and collects an anamnesis to find out the cause of the cracks. If there is suspicion of an infectious process, the specialist takes a smear, determining the causative agent of the infection. He also tests for allergic reactions and selects a personalized treatment plan. Usually therapy is complex.

Topical preparations

Emollient creams and ointments eliminate dry feet, relieving the symptoms of pathology. However, they are not always effective, since the reason often lies in internal violations. In combination with other methods of treatment, topical preparations help to cope with cracks. They have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, eliminate harmful bacteria and start the process of cell regeneration.

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Vitamins

Avitaminosis affects the work of all body structures. The condition of the skin in the absence of a sufficient amount of vitamins deteriorates noticeably. The skin of the feet is no exception. When treating cracks, podologists prescribe vitamin complexes that improve metabolism and solve the problem from the inside. The composition of prescribed drugs necessarily includes omega-3-unsaturated fatty acids, zinc and magnesium. They are supplemented with vitamins of group B, vitamin A, E and PP.

Medicines

If cracks in the heel of the foot are the result of serious disorders in the functioning of internal organs, the doctor prescribes medication. Medicines depend on the cause of the pathology. They can be aimed at eliminating problems of the cardiovascular, endocrine or digestive system. Elimination of the underlying disease automatically leads to healing of the skin of the feet.

Cosmetics

To provoke the symptoms of dermatitis can be too dry or too wet skin of the feet. Focusing on this factor, you should choose a cosmetic product:

• Peeling. Helps to cope with rough areas on the soles of the feet and restore softness to the epithelium. Scrubs with abrasive particles and acid peels exfoliate dead skin particles well, so they are often effective for excessive dryness.
• Processing tools. After steaming the skin of the feet, cosmetologists recommend using a pumice stone or a coarse file. The main thing is not to overdo it, otherwise there will be a risk of damaging the epithelium.
• Moisturizing creams. Hygiene procedures must be completed by applying a cream or thick balm. They moisturize the skin, restore water balance and help get rid of cracks.

Beauty treatments

You can get rid of pathology in the center of aesthetic medicine. The following procedures will help with this:

• Pedicure. If the cracks in the legs are deep, you need to sign up for a session not with an ordinary master, but with a podiatrist. It not only treats rough skin, but also gives recommendations for further care.
• Paraffin therapy. During the procedure, the patient’s legs are placed in a bath filled with paraffin. It softens the stratum corneum, makes the feet soft and smooth. Paraffin therapy is an effective approach to the treatment of cracks, but it does not eliminate the cause of their appearance, and therefore does not eliminate the pathology forever.

Folk methods

Not everyone has the opportunity to buy expensive creams and attend expensive procedures. You can try to repair the cracks at home. The experience of previous generations has brought out several effective methods.

• Salt baths
• Honey masks
• Potato peel compresses
• Rubbing with herbal tinctures
• Application of chamomile solutions

Prophylaxis

It is much easier to prevent the development of pathology than to treat it. To do this, follow the general recommendations aimed at maintaining a healthy lifestyle on a daily basis.

Personal care

Showering is required daily. During hygiene procedures, you need to pay enough attention to the skin of the feet. It is recommended to complete them by applying a nourishing cream. If necessary, a deeper cleaning should be carried out in the office of a pedicure master or at home using cosmetics.

Comfortable shoes

Shoe size must match the size of the foot. Too tight shoes compress the foot, contribute to deformation and the formation of corns. As a result, the skin roughens, becomes dry, and then begins to crack.

Balanced diet

The health of the body directly depends on our nutrition. Non-compliance with the drinking regimen, low content of unsaturated fats in food, lack of vitamins, minerals and other microelements affects the condition of the skin. To avoid the formation of cracks, you need to eat right and drink enough water.

In the modern cosmetology center “Detali” you can undergo procedures aimed at treating cracks. They combine effective techniques and low prices, so each client can achieve natural smoothness and softness of the feet.

Pastukhova Oksana Vyacheslavovna

Chief physician of the clinic “Details”.

Cosmetologist, dermatologist, trichologist.

Graduated from the Moscow Medical Academy. THEM. Sechenov with a degree in General Medicine. Primary specialization in the specialty “Dermatovenereology” on the basis of the Department of Dermatovenereology of the MONIKI named after. M.F. Vladimirsky, Moscow Courses in dermatocosmetology, in-depth study of anti-aging medicine and aesthetic cosmetology, specialization in laser therapy on the basis of RUDN University, Moscow.

Suitable Services

Medical pedicure

A complex of manipulations aimed at restoring health to the skin of the foot and nail plates.

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Treatment of calluses and corns

During the procedure, the master processes rough skin, moisturizes it, and eliminates defects.