I know, weird issue and thread. But last summer I got cracks in my big toes. The area where you lift off your foot at the last. They hurt so much I was lifting my toes when I walked. Put neosporin, and bandages until they healed. Fall and winter came and they healed. Now, all of a sudden the pain has started. I looked and although there is not a crack yet, there are indentations where they would form. I’m started nextcare, shea butter, neosporin. There’s a bandaid on one when I walk.
What is causing this? Does anyone have this issue? I wear socks all winter and try to remember to put lotion. DH thinks it’s because I’m not letting it get calloused. But I rarely get pedicures and don’t really pumice their on my own anyway.
It could be a yeast infection and for that you need an anti-fungal like an athlete’s foot cream or a vaginal yeast product (and is usually cheaper than the smaller packages of foot cream).
Hard to say when you just get fissuring out of the blue. Go see a Podiatrist in your area. It can be many things and yes can be painful. We have some creams that are made for wound care (not over the counter), that seem to work well. But if it’s fungus etc as mentioned lotion won’t help.
If it’s just really dry skin then Vaseline and wrap your foot with plastic wrap and a sock over night for a few days. Yes… You read that correctly…
Sorta like women that sleep with those gloves after putting on Vaseline on their hands etc.
Can be due to wearing sweaty socks. Using lotion too often may make it worse in some people if it keeps things damp. You can try a liquid skin crack sealer (many brands available over the counter.)
Wouldn’t you know I just had my last podiatrist checkup for Morton neuroma surgery before this happened?
Last year it was cracks. Right now the skin is not cracked but seems thin in that area and a thin “valley” has formed. I find pure shea butter a fantastic healing balm (pure, not mixed with other ingredients). But I’d like to find the source, too. I will try that Vaseline trick, but what’s the reason that it works wrapped up? Just so a sock won’t wipe it off?
No it’s an occlusion trick. Wrap goes over the skin after putting on the Vaseline and drives it deeper. Guess you can try with shea also. We use this company but they used to have like a 98% shea butter creme but I don’t see it anymore.
My feet get sweaty from exercise so as soon as I take my socks off I wash my feet and dry them thoroughly. I get those cracks as well and Lotrimin typically resolves them.
If it’s happening in warmer weather, suspicious for fungus. Try terbinifine (Lamisil) cream over the counter, apply twice daily for at least two weeks. Also, make sure that the feet are kept dry, dry well after showering, and wear cotton socks (don’t wear shoes/sandals without socks).
Great suggestions! I’m going to the dermatologist for an unrelated matter on Tuesday and will ask her. I’m also going to try the lonitrin. I’ve had athlete’s foot before and this is nothing like that.
My mom swears by coconut oil for similar problems. I think it is a natural anti fungal, but don’t quote me. She slathers her feet with coconut oil, rubs it in as much as possible, and then puts socks on before bed. Her dog tries to get a few licks in before the socks go on. It’s so cute
The skin on my feet was cracked VERY badly. I used the Vaseline trick and it helped a lot. Now, my husband gives me a foot rub with coconut oil every day that I exercise (such strong motivation for me to get off my butt!), and my feet look pretty good. He says he can tell the days I go barefoot, because my feet are rougher.
I know you are all on pins and needles wondering how my big toes have fared. Thought I’d let everyone know in case it happens to those who responded. I tried the ointment for athletes foot but it didn’t work. As I waited for my dermatologist appt., I used neosporin and shea butter. It helped but wasn’t taking care of the problem.
Doc prescribed prescription Urea cream. I guess you can get it OTC, but it doesn’t have all the rx stuff in it. It’s bedn 2 weeks and it’s about 80% healed. I can walk without pain. The crevice is filling in, but it still has just a bit to go. I don’t know what caused this, but after it’s healed I might continue with the cream once a week or so for preventive measures.
Yes, it’s odd. Even with socks, some nights my feet are bad. When my husband gives me a foot rub each night, sometimes he’s surprised at how rough my feet have gotten in 24 hours, even when I’ve been wearing socks.
