Skin fissure: Causes, treatments, and how to heal – Medical News Today

Skin fissures are cracks in the skin that form due to intense dryness and thickened skin. Fissures can be shallow or deep, and they may bleed or be painful.

In addition to being uncomfortable, fissures can be a precursor to skin ulcers. For this reason, treating skin fissures before they worsen is important.

This article explores what causes skin fissures, how doctors can treat them, and how people can aid the healing process at home.

Skin fissures are cracked areas of skin. They can occur anywhere on the body but most commonly occur:

The visible signs of skin fissures include:

Skin fissures can cause pain because of the cut in the skin. Additionally, irritants can enter the fissure, causing more discomfort.

Skin fissures can be either superficial or deep. Superficial fissures are small cracks that do not penetrate the deeper layers of the skin, while deep fissures do penetrate the deeper layers.

Skin fissures develop as part of a progression of symptoms:

A variety of underlying conditions can contribute to this, which include the below.

The body relies on nutrients to maintain healthy skin. Inadequate food intake or nutrient levels can lead to skin disorders, including fissures.

Examples of nutrients that the body needs to maintain healthy skin include:

If a person has nutritional deficiencies, the skin may lose moisture or take longer to heal from wounds.

Skin conditions that cause inflammation, itching, and dryness can also make fissures more likely. These conditions include:

Treating or managing skin conditions can help reduce the risk of fissures. How doctors and patients approach this depends on the type and cause of the condition.

For example, if a person has eczema due to an allergen, avoiding the allergen or taking antihistamines may help. By contrast, treatment for psoriasis may involve medications or phototherapy.

Learn about the different types of eczema.

Fungal infections on the skin, such as athletes foot, can cause a dry, flaky, or itchy rash. This may increase the risk for skin cracking and fissures.

Those with diabetes are at greater risk for skin fissures on the feet, according to a 2017 study.

People with diabetes are vulnerable to nerve damage in the feet, which is known as autonomic neuropathy. This damage means the nerves are less likely to sense the need for the feet to sweat. The lack of sweating creates a very dry environment that can allow skin fissures to form.

Another potential cause of skin fissures is angiopathy, which refers to damage to blood vessels, including veins and arteries.

Doctors do not know why angiopathy increases the risk for skin fissures. However, if blood cannot reach certain parts of the skin, it may affect skin health and slow wound healing.

In addition to specific medical causes, factors in a persons lifestyle or daily routine may exacerbate dry skin, leading to fissures. These include:

Treatment for skin fissures can depend on how deep they are.

For superficial skin fissures, doctors may recommend a self-care regimen that encourages fissures to heal and prevents new fissures from forming.

This may involve:

People with athletes foot or other fungal infection may also require an antifungal cream, which they can buy over the counter.

While there are open fissures, people should use a suitable moisturizer 23 times per day.

A good moisturizer for areas of dry and cracked skin may include a number of active ingredients, such as:

For deeper skin fissures, doctors may use:

If a person has fissures on their heels, supportive insoles or heel pads may be necessary to reduce pressure on the skin.

If fissures are frequent, recurring, or do not heal on their own, a doctor may investigate whether an underlying health condition could be the cause.

Do not forcibly attempt to remove dry or thick skin at home only a qualified professional should do this. However, there are several things people can do at home to help fissures heal. These include:

In general, people can also follow these measures:

A person should seek help from a doctor if their skin fissures worsen or do not respond to home treatments. Early treatment can prevent fissures from turning into a skin ulcer, which is significantly harder to treat.

People should also speak with a doctor if they experience:

Skin fissures are cracks in the skin that typically occur in areas that get dry, thick, or calloused, such as the heels. Many factors can cause them.

It is important to treat skin fissures promptly. Deep fissures can develop infections or lead to ulcers. A doctor can provide dressings, ointments, and moisturizers to help fissures heal.

Go here to see the original:
Skin fissure: Causes, treatments, and how to heal - Medical News Today