Fissures

• Physical activity. Increased physical activity due to sports, occupation, or hobbies increase your risk of fissures from all sources, due to environmental factors, increased risk of exposure to infections, etc.
• Age. Older people are at increased risk of both dry skin and various forms of foot infection.
• Climate. Climates which are dry, cool, and/or low humidity will contribute to an increased risk of dry skin-induced fissures, while warm, humid climates can predispose you to bacterial and fungal infections.
• Water. People who regularly get their feet wet and dry again will be at increased risk, i.e. working in wet environments without proper gear.
• Chlorine. Swimming in chlorinated pools increases your risk of dry skin on your feet. Swimming in general can be a source of fungal infections, so take hygiene seriously after a swim.
• Diabetes. Diabetics are at increased risk of all infections, and need to be alert to foot problems in particular.
• Foot injuries. Any foot injury which breaks the skin can increase your risk of serious infections, which can in turn lead to fissures.

To avoid developing fissures on your feet, you’re going to want to prevent infections and dry skin.

• Socks. Good, clean socks are vital to preventing dry feet and infections due to excessive moisture.
• Shoes. Keeping your shoes clean—and a good fit—will reduce your risk of infections, your risk of injuries, and even minimize your chance of developing fissures due to calluses.
• Hygiene. Good hygiene without excessive use of drying soaps is your best hope for preventing fissures on your feet. You want to avoid infections without drying out your skin from excessive cleaning.
• Moisturizing. Moisturizing your feet is a good idea even if you’re more worried about infections—especially if you’re cleaning frequently.
• Limit water exposure. If you’re prone to fissures due to infections or dry skin, limiting the exposure your feet have to water can be beneficial. Wear good waterproof boots if you need to be in wet environments.

The best solution to your fissures is going to depend on the severity of the openings and the root cause. In most cases, treating the base cause of the fissure will be enough, with no need to focus on treating your fissures in particular. That means moisturizing your feet, using anti-fungals or antibiotic ointments, or shoes that fit to prevent calluses. lf your fissures are showing raw skin or bleeding, however, you may be at risk for more serious infections, and should see a doctor immediately to be safe.

Custom corrective orthotics are another treatment option that may help prevent friction and callus formation.