A common symptom of dermatitis is skin tears, one of which is skin tear at the base of a toenail due to shoe pressure
The most common cause is pressure or irritation on the skin from shoes or footwear with inadequate support. The irritation can be due to tight-fitting shoes, prolonged wearing, or sweating in the shoe. Skin tears are more common in people with diabetes mellitus because the microvascular disease leads to dryness of the feet and decreased sensation which may lead to blisters rupturing into splits underneath toes.
Skin to split under toes is a thing that affects both healthy and sick elders. This problem affects the toddler’s toe skin too. Dry or moist feet is the most common factor behind this problem. Wrong size shoe or rough shoe is another common reason behind toe splits. Apart from these, various reasons cause itching, redness, and peeling of toe skins. Splits or cracks between or under the toe skins need proper care and treatment. If not, these cracks and splits may result in bigger foot skin diseases.
[su_bigbutton link=”https://www.drscholls.com/ca/symptoms-and-conditions/foot-skin-conditions/dry-rough-and-cracked-skin/” message=”Facts and Treatment on Dry, Rough & Cracked Skin by DrScholls”]Reasons Behind Cracks And Fissures Under Toes
Our skin is our body’s largest organ and it protects everything we have inside. When we experience cracked or split skin under our toes, it can signify a variety of health conditions that we should look into seeing a doctor about. One of the most common causes for cracked and split skin under toes is fungal infections, which can take place in both adults and children.
Fungal infections that take place under the skin, typically seen as thickened skin or deep cracks that are red or white in color are called tinea pedis or tinea cruris. Fungal infections are characterized by itching, burning, and irritation. Typically fungal infections can be treated with antifungal topical creams which you can buy over the counter at your local pharmacy. Cracked and split skin under toes is also commonly caused by eczema, which is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes itchy rashes to appear on the body’s mucosal surfaces.
Reason 1: Dry environment
Because of dry settings, the natural moisture of your feet evaporates. As a result, your feet experience dry cracks without cuts. Again, moist or damp feet are prone to bacteria and fungi, eventually leading to cracks. Another major cause of cracked and split skin under the toes is the weather. When we put wet feet on dry land, we can end up getting cracks and splits in our skin due to the changes that occur due to the weather and climate. Cracks and splits can also be caused by:
Another possible cause of split skin on toes is temperature. This occurs mostly in winter when you’re wearing socks and shoes for extended periods of time, the skin on your feet will get cold, harden up, and may crack. This is because your toe-skin has not been used to being out in the cold for long periods of time, so your body sends blood to warm up your feet to make them more comfortable. When this happens repeatedly over a long period of time, the skin will continue to crack open because it’s always being exposed to the cold environment.
Reason 2: Soap
Dry skin is mainly caused by too much bathing and soap (soap dermatitis). Soap removes the skin’s natural protective oils. Once they are gone, the skin can’t hold moisture.
Soap also dries the normal flora that lives on the skin and this can lead to bacterial infections like cellulitis and folliculitis. The bacteria that cause these infections (staphylococcus and streptococcus) live on the skin’s surface, so they become infected when soap is used to wash away natural oils from its surface.”
To avoid soap dermatitis, try using a moisturizing shampoo instead of soap. If you need to wash your hair with soap, use it sparingly on the ends of your hair first. Use conditioner afterward for the whole length if you want extra moisture.
Reason 3: Genetics
Genetics plays a role in dry skin. If your mother had dry skin on her foot, you had a roughly 80/20 shot of developing the same condition. Same-sex siblings (brother and sister) share this condition more than half of the time (20–30%).
There is no significant link between dry skin and race or ethnicity. A lot of people who notice that their feet get dry during the winter like to think of it as a “European thing,” but this isn’t true: About 20–30% of Natives and 5% of African Americans have dry skin on their feet. It’s more common on women than men, but men get it too.
Reason 4: Swimming in the pool
Swimmers and people who share the public bath often suffer from Athlete’ feet. It is an infection that creates rash, itchiness, dryness, white spots, and peeling between or under or above the toes.
There are several factors that will cause the skin under the toes to split open when swimming in the pool. The first factor is when there is chlorine in the water. If swimmers fail to shower with soap before entering the pool, their feet will become dry and crack, causing them to split open when in contact with chlorinated water. But, if swimmers shower before entering the pool, they decrease their chances of having cracked skin that may potentially split open. The second factor causing skin under toes to split open while swimming in pools is very hot water; this also causes dryness on one’s feet.
Reason 5: High Cholesterol
Diabetes, high cholesterol, and blood pressure weaken the immunity system of our body. Diabetics may need to treat the root cause and manage diabetic foot disease. They should also be examined and treated by a professional doctor for other underlying causes like high cholesterol, malnutrition, and heart disease.
They should also visit a doctor to identify, diagnose, and treat skin health problems such as infections or skin cancer. A healthy diet combined with regular exercise can help to decrease blood sugar levels.
High cholesterol can lead to skin problems including split, peeling, rashes, ulcers, sores on the fingers or toes. Skin burns may occur more frequently in areas where there is high exposure to the sun or where you are more prone to get sunburn. Skin breaks easily and becomes brittle under the pressure of shoes.
Your skin condition will be examined by a physician who will perform a comprehensive evaluation and take a blood test to determine your cholesterol level and medical history just like your blood pressure and diabetes.
3 Types Of Cracked Skin On the Feet And How To Treatment
Cracked skin on the feet is a common problem for most people. Not only can cracked skin make you uncomfortable, it can also make you embarrassed to wear sandals or go barefoot. Fortunately, there are many ways to heal cracked skin on your feet and we’re going to talk about 3 of them.
Shallow Cracks – Use Ointment
Cracks heal faster if protected from air exposure and drying.
Keep the cracks constantly covered with petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline). Put it on the cracks 3 times a day.
If the crack seems mildly infected, use an antibiotic ointment instead (such as Polysporin). No prescription is needed. Put it on the cracks 3 times a day.
Covering the ointment with a bandage (such as Band-Aid) speeds recovery. You can also cover it with a sock.
Option: If you have it, a liquid skin bandage works even better. Don’t use liquid bandages and ointment together.
Deep Cracks – Use Liquid Skin Bandage
Deep cracks of the feet or toes usually do not heal with ointments. Use a liquid skin bandage that will completely seal the crack. Many brands of liquid bandages are available. No prescription is needed. Start with 2 layers. Put on another layer as often as needed.
As the crack heals, the plastic layer will be pushed up. Skin that is dry and cracked can be very painful. The skin may crack open, rub together, and turn black because of friction between the skin and shoes. A callus (dry skin) can be incredibly painful when rubbed against shoes or socks, but many people get used to them over time. It does not get easier to walk with or itchy after wearing shoes continuously. These things will make you want to rotate your feet around every step during the day (for comfort).
Starts to look Infected (redness, red streak)
In this case, you should call your doctor if cracks last more than 2 weeks on treatment
Top Picks For Remedies For Skin To Split Under Toes Or Dry Cracked Heels
A lot of people suffer from dry cracked heels and this is a very common issue. If your skin is to split under your toes or dry cracked heels, you’ll need to find a remedy for it. Don’t let this issue get the best of you, because there are many ways that will work for you.
Foot Cream for Dry Cracked Heels – Pureauty Naturals’ Foot Cream for Dry Feet Women & Men
Pureauty Naturals’ foot care for dry cracked feet, Advanced Strength Foot Cream, moisturizes badly cracked heels and dry skin. Our dry foot treatment for men and women nourishes dry feet of all kinds. It’s the foot cream that cracked heels need.
The Alternative to Dry Foot Treatment – Our dry foot lotion is a superior alternative for a more natural treatment that is less likely to cause skin irritation. Our scaly feet will benefit from our skin moisturizing foot care lotion.
Premium Ingredients for Dry Skin – Our moisturizing foot lotion contains high-quality ingredients for dry foot treatment. Our dry heel lotion is ideal for dry flaky skin since it has three main ingredients: vegetable glycerin, shea butter, and lavender oil.
Animal-Friendly, American-Made – When you purchase a Beauty Naturals product, you’re receiving a high-quality product created in the United States in a GMP-certified GMP-certified facility. We take pride in our beauty products and customer service at Beauty Naturals.
Urea Cream 40% Plus Salicylic Acid 4.6 Oz, Callus Remover Hand Cream Foot Cream For Dry
INTENSIVE MOISTURIZING CREAM FOR DRY, CRACKED, ROUGH AND BUMPY SKIN – This highest potency Urea Cream 40% for feet, hands, elbows, nails intensively and quickly moisturizes, softens, and smooths thick, callused, scaling skin
GENTLY EXFOLIATES SCALES & DEAD SKIN, RESTORES SKIN BARRIER – Infused with 2% Salicylic Acid to purify and exfoliate the skin, and combined with intensive urea 40% to improve cellular turnover, this dry skin cream repairs and heals the skin to achieve healthy, pain-free and baby-soft skin
SOFTENS THICK, CRACKED SKIN, RELIEVES DRY, ITCHY SKIN – Enriched with Tea Tree Oil, Aloe Vera, Coconut Oil, Camellia Green Tea Leaf Extract, this foot hand repair cream reduces redness, inflammation, and irritation
MINIMIZES CORNS & CALLUSES, REDUCES CALLUS BUILDUP – This cracked heel treatment foot cream rehydrates and nourishes dry cracked skin, removes dead skin to help get rid of corns and calluses
MADE IN THE USA! ADVANCED ULTRA REPAIR CREAM FOR FEET, HEELS, HANDS, ELBOWS, NAILS, AND KNEES – This cracked skin repair cream is Odor-Free and ideal for ALL skin types. Formulated & bottled in the USA! Never tested on animals – Cruelty-Free & Vegan-Friendly! cGMP Certified, Hypoallergenic, Paraben-Free, Sulfate-Free
Kerasal Intensive Foot Repair, Skin Healing Ointment for Cracked Heels and Dry Feet, 1 Oz
1 ounce package of Kerasal Intensive Foot Repair Skin Healing Ointment
Dry skin ointment designed to help heal cracked heels and dry feet, delivering visible results in just 1 day
Cracked feet repair has a unique combination of exfoliating, softening and moisturizing ingredients, including salicylic acid (5%), urea (10%) and soft white petrolatum
Users saw better results with Kerasal’s foot care products than with their previous foot cream
Foot cream for dry, cracked feet approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association
O’Keeffe’s Healthy Feet Foot Cream, 3.2-ounce Jar
O’Keeffe’s for Healthy Feet Foot Cream is a concentrated foot cream that heals, relieves, and repairs extremely dry, cracked feet
Creates a protective layer on the skin’s surface that rapidly increases moisture levels and aids in the prevention of additional moisture loss.
O’Keeffe’s for Healthy Feet Foot Cream works quickly; most individuals see changes in their dry cracked feet within only a few days.
Our Healthy Feet Foot Cream cream has a higher concentration of Allantoin; the composition aids in the penetration of thicker and rougher surface skin of the feet.
Apply the foot lotion to exfoliated skin before going to bed and after bathing, since these are the best times for nourishing severely dry feet.
Dr. Scholl’s Cracked Heel Repair Balm 2.5oz, with 25% Urea for Dry Cracked Feet, Heels
Softens, hydrates, and moisturizes dry, cracked heels with this very moisturizing unique combination. Heel fissures are smoothed and filled. Specifically formulated to heal and mend while leaving a thick, moisturizing layer of protection. Dry skin that is sensitive and inflamed is soothed.
Conclusion
A healthy and hygienic environment is a must for the wellbeing of the foot. Make sure that the places you live in or visit are neither too dry nor too damp. Besides, try not to share your belongings with others. And avoid being close to a person who has an athlete’s foot or infection.
Keep the diet of your and your family balanced yet nutritious. Maintain a healthy lifestyle and try to have a routine health check-up. Keep your child away from pollution, insects, and harmful chemicals.
Never forget to check your feet daily. Wear comfortable socks and shoes to avoid blisters and swellings and to protect your feet in cold weather. Lessen the use of soaps and other foot cosmetics.
Before using any medicine on your toes, read the instructions carefully. The best thing you can do is, hear your skin specialist’s advice. Even before using purely natural elements to treat the splits, talk to the skin specialist first.
Vaseline prevents mild cuts or splits, or sores from spreading. You can use it if you have a mild cut under the toe. You can use antiseptic powder and coconut oil too. Mix them in the right ratio, rub them gently on the affected area.
FAQ
How do you heal a toe fissure?
Checking the feet daily for new fissures and cracking. Gently use a pumice stone to remove hard, thickened skin.Applying moisturizer to keep the skin flexible and hydrated. Using gel or spray bandages to protect the area
Washing the feet with warm water and gentle soap. Using an exfoliating cream or scrub to remove dead skin
Using a pumice stone to grind the softened area of the callous onto the bottom surface of the toe. This creates a healthy layer of callous that will seal in this area
Using a bandage or elastic wrap over callous to protect it from rubbing on shoes, socks, etc.Using an anti-fungal ointment on toe cracks both before putting on socks, shoes, etc. Use daily during healing period using Band-Aid type tape to cover each toe once or twice weekly.
What does a foot fissure look like?
The emergence of a crack, rip, groove, extended cleft, or deep burrow in the skin is the most apparent evidence of a fissure. If the fissure is large or penetrates deep into the skin of the foot or heal, it may cause irritation and pain. If the skin cracks or fissures appear between the toes, they may be uncomfortable. The length of time the fissure has been there may suggest its significance. Rashes in the same location after trauma are usually the result of an allergic response; these rashes are extensive, emerge over a period of weeks or months, and may be red or tense (itchy) like hives. Rashes that clear up after therapy generally do so in two to four weeks.
Is dry, cracked feet a sign of diabetes?
There could be innumerable reasons. For example, if you smoke or drink excessively, this could cause your skin to dry out and peel because you’re not sufficiently hydrating it. But there are also cases of diabetes (it can’t be ruled out as a possibility), which may make the skin on the top of the foot more sensitive due to nerve damage or other contributing factors.