Years ago I developed a
fissure on one of my heels. It really hurt and took a long time to heel. You
may be asking, what’s a fissure? There are several definitions, depending on
the use of the word. Here’s the one that refers to skin: a break or slit in
tissue usually at the junction of skin and mucous membrane.
These irritating cracks or
splits in the skin are typically caused by wearing sandals, flip-flops, or
going barefoot. They are common in the summer because our feet not covered as
much with socks. The skin hardens, maybe with callus, and as we walk, the skin
at the edge of the heel is stressed and a small crack develops.
The fissure I saw yesterday
on a friend’s foot was fairly small, less then ½ inch long. When I had mine, it
was almost an inch long. Because the outer layers of skin crack, these have to
heal from the inside out.
Prevention is best done by
making sure the skin on your heels is kept soft and pliable. The use of a
moisturizing cream or callus softening cream is recommended. After you shower,
use a callus file or pumice stone to remove hardened skin. Then apply your
choice of creams. Use the cream again before bed.
The care of fissures is
pretty basic. Apply an antibiotic ointment to the crack, and cover it with a
Band-Aid. Watch for signs of infection: redness, swelling, pus, and/or red
streaks going up the leg. Most fissures are several layers of skin deep. The
fissure will hurt, often being quite painful.