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Cracked, Itchy Feet
Cracked, itchy feet can be extremely uncomfortable and a potential source of embarrassment. In most cases, the cracked skin is little more than a nuisance, but in severe cases, it can lead to serious infection. Contact your physician if it becomes extremely bothersome or you experience bleeding.
Causes
Cracked, itchy feet have several potential causes. Athlete’s foot, a contagious fungal infection medically known as tinea pedis, typically causes cracking between the toes but can affect the entire foot 13. The risk for athlete’s foot increases if you sweat a lot, allow your feet to remain wet for prolonged periods or wear plastic-lined or closed-toe shoes 13. Cracked heels can also be a source of itchy discomfort. The New Zealand Dermatological Society explains that dry skin, psoriasis, dermatitis, diabetes and obesity increase the risk of cracked heels 2.
Diagnosis
Fissures & Athlete's Feet Treatment
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Diagnosing the cause of cracked, itchy feet typically involves a physical examination and a close look at your medical history. Be prepared to explain when you first noticed the problem and the conditions leading up to it, such as prolonged standing on a hard surface or use of open-backed, non-supportive shoes or physical contact with someone inflicted with athlete’s foot 13. Your doctor may examine skin scrapings or fluid samples under a microscope to diagnose a fungal infection.
Treatment
For cracked, itchy feet caused by dry skin, massaging moisturizers into the affected area two to three times a day may be enough. Stubborn cases may respond better to lotions or balms containing salicylic acid or alpha-hydroxy. In severe cases of cracked heels, your physician may prescribe stronger lotions or cut away the hard skin. Do not attempt to cut the skin yourself, as this can lead to infection. Athlete’s foot is treated with over-the-counter or prescription-strength antifungal ointments 13. If the infection does not respond to topical treatments, your doctor may prescribe an oral antifungal medication.
- For cracked, itchy feet caused by dry skin, massaging moisturizers into the affected area two to three times a day may be enough.
Prevention
Cracked Bleeding Feet
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To prevent athlete’s foot, thoroughly dry your feet after showering, bathing or swimming, change your socks frequently, especially if you are sweating, use medicated or drying powders if you are susceptible to athlete’s foot and wear well-ventilated shoes, suggests Medline Plus 13. Prevent dry, cracked heels by avoiding standing for long periods, especially in open-backed shoes, maintaining a healthy weight and moisturizing frequently.
Risks
Both athlete’s foot and cracked heels can cause secondary bacterial infections such as cellulitis, especially if the fissures are deep enough to cause bleeding 13. Diabetic patients are at a higher risk for developing a foot ulcer, which can cause bone infection. Left untreated, a diabetic foot ulcer can lead to loss of limb. Contact your physician immediately if your cracked, itchy feet are causing pain or difficulty walking.
- Both athlete’s foot and cracked heels can cause secondary bacterial infections such as cellulitis, especially if the fissures are deep enough to cause bleeding 1.
- Left untreated, a diabetic foot ulcer can lead to loss of limb.
Related Articles
References
- MedlinePlus: Athlete’s Foot
- New Zealand Dermatological Society: Cracked Heels
- Cleveland Clinic: Athlete's Foot
- American Diabetes Association: Foot Complications
- Homei A, Worboys M. Fungal Disease in Britain and the United States 1850–2000: Mycoses and Modernity. Basingstoke (UK): Palgrave Macmillan; 2013. Chapter 2, Athlete’s Foot: A Disease of Fitness and Hygiene. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK169220/
- InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Nail fungus: Overview. 2015 Jan 14 [Updated 2018 Jun 14].Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279547/
- InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Athlete's foot: Overview. 2015 Jan 14 [Updated 2018 Jun 14].Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279549/
- Nigam PK, Saleh D. Tinea Pedis. [Updated 2019 Nov 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470421/
- Abd Elmegeed AS, Ouf SA, Moussa TA, Eltahlawi SM. Dermatophytes and other associated fungi in patients attending to some hospitals in Egypt. Braz J Microbiol. 2015;46(3):799–805. doi:10.1590/S1517-838246320140615
- Homei A, Worboys M. Fungal Disease in Britain and the United States 1850–2000: Mycoses and Modernity. Basingstoke (UK): Palgrave Macmillan; 2013. Chapter 2, Athlete’s Foot: A Disease of Fitness and Hygiene.
- InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Nail fungus: Overview. 2015 Jan 14 [Updated 2018 Jun 14].
- InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Athlete's foot: Overview. 2015 Jan 14 [Updated 2018 Jun 14].
- Nigam PK, Saleh D. Tinea Pedis. [Updated 2019 Nov 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-.
- Leyden JJ, Kligman AM. Interdigital athlete's foot: new concepts in pathogenesis. Postgrad Med. 1977;61(6):113-6.
- Blutfield MS, Lohre JM, Pawich DA, Vlahovic TC. The Immunologic Response to Trichophyton Rubrum in Lower Extremity Fungal Infections. J Fungi (Basel). 2015;1(2):130–137. doi:10.3390/jof1020130
- Al Hasan M, Fitzgerald SM, Saoudian M, Krishnaswamy G. Dermatology for the practicing allergist: Tinea pedis and its complications. Clin Mol Allergy. 2004;2(1):5. Published 2004 Mar 29. doi:10.1186/1476-7961-2-5
- Chollet A, Cattin V, Fratti M, Mignon B, Monod M. Which Fungus Originally was Trichophyton mentagrophytes? Historical Review and Illustration by a Clinical Case. Mycopathologia. 2015;180(1-2):1-5. doi:10.1007/s11046-015-9893-2
- Newland JG, Abdel-Rahman SM. Update on terbinafine with a focus on dermatophytoses. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2009;2:49–63. Published 2009 Apr 21. doi:10.2147/ccid.s3690
- Hainer BL. Dermatophyte infections. Am Fam Physician. 2003;67(1):101-8.
- Jimenez-garcia L, Celis-aguilar E, Díaz-pavón G, et al. Efficacy of topical clotrimazole vs. topical tolnaftate in the treatment of otomycosis. A randomized controlled clinical trial. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2019.
- Lestner J, Hope WW. Itraconazole: an update on pharmacology and clinical use for treatment of invasive and allergic fungal infections. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol. 2013;9(7):911-26.
Writer Bio
Based in East Stroudsburg, Pa., Nicole Etolen is a freelance writer, blogger, and former Certified Nursing Assistant. She has been professionally writing since 1995, with articles appearing in "Lehigh Valley Bridal Magazine," "A Reader's Guide to the Underground Press" and numerous independent publications. Nicole is also the owner and sole author of Pretty Opinionated, a successful lifestyle blog for busy moms of school-age children, as well as a staff writer for several other parenting sites.