Skin Fissures: Causes, Treatments, And Prevention

What Are Skin Fissures?

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The cracks or splits that occur due to the breaking down of skin are called skin fissures. They occur when the outer layer of the epidermis (stratum corneum) is damaged. They separate from the dermal layers below and usually are found in heels, palms, in between the toes, and on fingertips.

According to Dr. Madathupalayam Madhankumar, “Skin fissures are small skin wounds that appear as an area of thickened, dried, and cracked skin and are often followed by callus formation.”

Not all cracks or splits on the skin are fissures. Skin fissures usually show a few symptoms. Let us know more in the next section.

Signs And Symptoms Of Skin Fissures

• Dry skin
• Hard skin
• Calluses
• Lines and cracks
• Occasional bleeding if the fissures are deep
• Flaking
• Peeling
• Redness
• Itching
• Scaling
• Waxy/rough texture
• Tightness
• Discoloration of skin

What causes fissures? Read the following section to know some of their more prevalent causes.

What Are The Causes Of Skin Fissures?

Skin fissures can affect anyone. The most common causes include:

1. Cold and dry climate
2. Dry skin
3. Frequent hand washing
4. Fungal infection
5. Inactive sweat glands
6. Obesity
7. Health conditions like psoriasis or diabetes
8. Nutritional deficiencies.
9. Angiopathyⁱ  XA condition characterized by a slow flow of blood or blood clots in the blood vessels, resulting in complications.
10. Exposure to irritating chemicals
11. Constantly walking barefoot
12. Wearing sandals or open-backed shoes that may expose your heels
13. Trauma to the feet from high heels, ill-fitting shoes, and poor foot-care routines

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michael K. Newman says, “During the cold winter months, dry air may lead to dry skin, leading to cracked skin. Certain medical conditions, such as nerve damage, decreased sweating, or dehydration, may increase the symptoms of dry, cracked skin and other skin problems.”

Dr. Anna Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, adds, “Possibly other conditions of the skin such as eczema, atopic dermatitisⁱ  XA common chronic condition also known as eczema that causes irritation and inflammation of the skin. , and contact dermatitisⁱ  XA rash or inflammation of the skin caused by contact with any potential allergen that can lead to dry, flaky skin and itching. or even trauma can lead to skin fissures.”

Can skin fissures may also be dealt with at home. Check out the following home remedies.

Home Remedies

1. Glycerine

Glycerine may seal the moisture in your skin and help retain it. It also may help speed up the healing process (1).

What You Need

• Lukewarm water
• Soap
• Pumice stone
• Glycerine

Method

• Dip your feet in lukewarm soapy water to cleanse and remove all the dirt from your feet.
• Remove the dead skin using a pumice stone.
• After patting the feet dry, apply glycerine to retain moisture.

Trivia

Glycerol, the chief component of glycerine, is a trihydroxy alcohol that has been shown to play an important role in skin hydration, elasticity, and skin barrier repair (1) .

2. Petroleum Jelly

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Petroleum jelly repairs fissures by sealing your skin. It may retain moisture and heal broken skin (2).

What You Need

• Lukewarm water
• Soap
• Pumice stone
• Petroleum jelly
• Socks

Method

• Soak your feet for up to 15 to 20 minutes in lukewarm, soapy water.
• Use a pumice stone to remove hard, thick skin.
• Make sure your feet are dry.
• Apply petroleum jelly to the affected area.
• Put on socks.
• Repeat three times a day, as well as right after you’ve had a bath.

3. Olive Oil

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Unrefined olive oil is high in anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants. It helps heal skin damage and soothes dry skin. Olive oil may relieve dry, itchy, and cracked skin. In addition, it rebuilds the skin’s moisture barrier to prevent further moisture loss (3).

What You Need

• Lukewarm water
• Soap
• Pumice stone
• Olive oil
• Socks

Method

• Soak your feet for up to 15 to 20 minutes in lukewarm, soapy water.
• Use a pumice stone to remove hard, thick skin.
• Take a small amount of olive oil with a cotton ball and massage your feet in a circular motion for 10 to 15 minutes while the skin is still moist.
• Wear cotton socks to keep this moisturizing treatment in place and let it get absorbed into your skin while you sleep.

Trivia

While many plant oils contain fatty acids and other beneficial components for the skin, olive oil is widely used and recommended for skin healing as it easily penetrates the skin. Research shows that olive oil permeates better than coconut oil, grape seed oil, and avocado oil (3).

4. Coconut Oil

Extra virgin coconut oil is a good remedy for dry skin. It hydrates the skin and increases the effectiveness of the skin barrier to fight bacteria and other skin issues (4), (5).

What You Need

• Lukewarm water
• Coconut oil
• Socks

Method

• Wash your feet with lukewarm water and gently pat them dry.
• Take a small amount of coconut oil and rub it over the affected region.
• Alternatively, you can cover your entire feet in a thick layer of melted coconut oil.
• Put on a pair of cotton socks to ensure the oil is intact while you sleep.

5. Lanolin

Lanolin works as a lubricant. It fills the gaps between skin cells and increases skin moisture and smoothness (6), (7), (8).

What You Need

• Lukewarm water
• Soap
• Lanolin

Method

• Wash the affected areas with soap and water and pat them dry.
• Apply lanolin to the affected skin areas as indicated on the label or by your doctor.
• Depending on the product and your skin condition, you may need to apply the medication more frequently.

Note: Avoid lanolin if you’re allergic to wool.

6. Honey

Honey is a natural antiseptic that may help restore cracked heels. It keeps the skin moisturized and prevents it from drying out. In addition, honey has calming effects that help rejuvenate the skin (9).

What You Need

• Lukewarm water
• One cup of honey

Method

• Mix one cup of honey into a tub of warm water.
• Cleanse your feet and soak them in this mixture for 15 to 20 minutes. Massage your feet gently.
• Apply moisturizer to your feet after drying them.
• Do this regularly before going to bed.

7. Aloe Vera

Image: IStock

Aloe vera may repair cracked skin. It provides hydration to the skin. The antioxidants in aloe vera also may help with collagen production (10).

What You Need

• Warm water
• Aloe vera gel
• Socks

Method

• Use warm water to soak your feet for 15 to 20 minutes and pat them dry.
• Apply the aloe vera gel to the skin.
• Put on the socks and leave the gel on overnight.

The best solution to fissures depends on their severity and root cause. In most cases, treating the root cause should suffice. But you must seek medical treatment if your fissures bleed or show raw skin. Consult a dermatologist as they can run diagnostic tests to figure out the root cause of the fissures and prescribe the best treatment options.

Dr. Madathupalayam Madhankumar mentions, “Use moisturizers 2 to 3 times a day. If the skin fissure is infected, antifungal cream and antibiotics will be prescribed. Skin softeners and debriding agents will also be prescribed if the fissure is deep. Skin glues are used to stick together the fissured ends.”

Prevention is better than cure. Taking a few simple skin care steps can help prevent fissures. Here is what you can do.

How To Prevent Skin Fissures?

Image: IStock

• Practice good hygiene.
• Keep your skin moisturized.
• Wear clean socks.
• Wear the right shoes.
• Gently exfoliate areas of callused skin (such as heels).
• Avoid walking barefoot.
• Avoid walking or standing for long hours.
• Protect the skin from factors that exacerbate dryness, like unnecessary water exposure, heat, friction, or irritants.
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
• Avoid high-heeled shoes.
• Avoid overwashing the affected areas.
• Use gel or spray bandage to protect the affected areas.
• Manage underlying conditions, such as diabetes, with medications or lifestyle changes.

How Long Do Skin Fissures Take To Heal?

According to Dr. Madathupalayam Madhankumar, “The skin fissures begin to fade, and cracks start to close, indicating healing. Usually, they heal within a week or two. If your skin fissure is mild, it will go away with the elimination of the cause (such as using slippers while walking, avoiding frequent hand washing, etc.).”

Some people could be at a greater risk of developing skin fissures. Learn more in the next section.

Risk Factors

• The older you get, the less oil is produced in the skin pores. This may result in dry skin and fissures.
• Low humidity may dry your skin out and cause fissures.
• If anyone in your family has eczema, you are more likely to have skin fissures.
• Continuous contact with water.
• Frequent swimming in chlorinated pools
• You can also be at risk due to medical conditions like diabetes, eczema, or psoriasisⁱ  XA common autoimmune condition where the skin cells multiply much more than usual, causing dry, itchy, thick patches. .

Do you need to seek medical attention for skin fissures? If yes, when should you consult a doctor?

When To See A Doctor

Consult your dermatologist if:

• The home remedies aren’t effective.
• The fissures are impairing your quality of life.
• You have an infection.
• You experience bleeding.
• You have pain.
• You have redness.
• You have a fever.
• You have swelling.
• You have pus in the affected area.

Frequently Asked Questions

How painful are skin fissures?

Fissures in the skin can be excruciatingly painful, especially if they deepen and cause skin bleeding. Also, irritants may enter the fissure and aggravate the pain. In addition to physical discomfort, fissures can lead to skin ulcers. Therefore, treating skin fissures as soon as they appear is crucial to prevent further damage.

Sources

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Dr. Schwarzburg MD

 

Dr. Schwarzburg is a leading authority in the field of minimally invasive cosmetic and laser medicine in New York City. He is an Ivy League school graduate with 7 years of experience in cosmetic dermatology and regenerative medicine. His authority is widely recognized, and his expert opinion has been sought by many prestigious publications, including Forbes, Glamour, Good Morning America,...more

Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

 

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach. Her passion for and understanding of all things related to skin, hair, and beauty propelled her to pursue a career in writing....more