| Skin Problems |
Dry Skin and Cracked Heels |
General Information: |
Dry skin on any part of the body can be annoying and can cause flaking
and cracking of the skin, redness due to scratching, and unsightly
patches of thick/hard skin. However, when dry skin occurs on the feet,
the symptoms of discomfort are magnified due to shoe wear, the stretching
of the skin on the feet each time we step down, and by certain synthetic
materials in the socks and shoes that dry the skin out even more.
Because of the confining nature of the shoes we wear and the lack
of fresh air that hits the skin of the feet due our socks and shoes,
dry feet need specialized care in order to prevent pain. The heels
of the feet are the areas that seem to be the most prone to develop
dry, hard, and painful cracks or fissures. Even though the following
discussion centers on the heels, this information applies to all areas
of the feet which present with dry, hard, and cracked skin. |
Description: |
Cracked heels are often referred to as "fissures" and are
usually caused by dry skin. For most people this is a nuisance and
a cosmetic problem; however, when the fissures are deep the skin becomes
painful. If treatment is not initiated early, not only can the pain
become intense, but the cracks/fissures may bleed. Once bleeding occurs,
the skin is prone to bacterial infections and athletes foot. |
The symptoms of dry feet, especially the heels can include: |
• Peeling and flaking skin.
•
The skin may appear yellow or brown in color, and may become inflamed
due to itching and scratching
• The dry skin may become
thick and hard, especially around the edges of the heels
•
The feet may become painful while walking. This discomfort is increased
when walking barefoot, in thin sole shoes, or open back shoes
• If the cracks are deep, bleeding may occur
• Dry
and cracked skin is prone to bacteria and fungal infections which
can cause serious problems
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The causes of dry skin and cracked heels include: |
• Inactive sweat glands. This is usually
due to the genes we inherit.
• Obesity. Extra weight on
the feet will destroy sweat glands.
• Years of prolonged
standing in one spot will also destroy sweat glands.
•
Using excessively hot water when bathing will affect and reduce sweat
gland activity.
• Certain chronic skin problems such as
eczema and psoriasis.
• Biomechanical foot defects cause
abnormalities in the way we walk, which causes certain areas of the
feet to bear abnormal amounts of weight. This abnormal weight not
only destroys sweat glands in these areas, but produces areas of thick,
hard, and dry skin.
|
Blisters |
Definition: A friction blister is a build up of fluid or blood
between the epidermis and dermal layer of skin caused by shearing
forces applied to the skin. |
Causes include:
• Ill fitting shoes (socks)
• Skin moisture
• Pressure points on the foot
|
Treatment:
• Drainage using a sterile instrument (pin or knife cleaned
with alcohol)
• Leave roof of blister intact
•
Apply antibiotic dressing
|
Prevention:
• Reduce perspiration by applying topical antiperspirant
• Identify areas of friction and pad them with moleskin
• Check shoe fit
• Wear socks that wick away
moisture (polypropylene)
• Apply Vaseline to areas of friction
|
Athletes Foot |
Definition: Athletes
foot infections are caused by a fungal infection of the skin. There
are a variety of fungal organisms that can cause such infections.
|
Causes:
•
Moisture, heat and darkness, all of which occur in your shoes
|
Symptoms:
• Itching, weeping, oozing and skin macerations
•
Symptoms most commonly occur in the web spaces between the toes.
• Chronic cases may cause dry, scaly redness on the soles of
the feet
|
Treatment:
• Change socks frequently if wet or use moisture wicking socks
(acrylic).
• Cleanse feet often.
• Apply topical
anti-fungal creams until symptoms resolve and anti-fungal powders
for preventative maintenance.
|
Black Toenails |
Definition:
A black toenail (subungual hematoma) in a build up of blood beneath
the nail plate. If may be acute, due to stubbing the toe or dropping
a heavy object on the toe or chronic, due to repeated friction of
the nail. |
Cause:
• Acute or chronic injury to the nail.
• Improper
fitting shoes (too short, not enough room in the toe box)
•
Repeated jamming of toes in boots, especially going downhill grades
|
Symptoms:
• Acute pain in the toenail
• Minimal pain but
discoloration of the nail
• Occasional bleeding and drainage
from beneath the nail
|
Treatment:
• If pain is acute, the hemorrhage beneath the toenail
must be drained.
• In the field this can be done by heating
a paperclip or sharp instrument and applying it to the nail plate
until drainage occurs.
• If you have access to a physician
or clinic, they can decompress the nail with a high-speed drill or
electrocautery.
• Chronic non-painful cases can be left
alone. The nail will often grow out and eventually fall off leaving
a new nail beneath it.
|
Prevention:
• Careful fitting of shoes and socks.
• Avoidance
of acute injuries to the toes
|
Also see:
Warts
Fungus Toenails
Corns and Calluses
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