Skin Fissure - Signs, Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

Introduction

Skin fissures are epidermal (outer layer of skin) cracks frequently brought on by dry skin. A fissure forms when the skin starts to split, which might become an ulcer. If left untreated, ulcers can harm the underlying muscle, bone tissue, and skin layers. Various treatment approaches and home care remedies are available to treat skin fissures.

Where Do Skin Cracks Appear?

The skin under stress frequently develops skin fissures. For instance, the foot heel, which bears the body's weight, is a common location for skin fissures to develop. In addition, pressure on the foot pads may cause the feet to expand outward, stretching the skin and resulting in cracks.

They can also appear anywhere on the body. They can occur:

• At the tips of the fingers.

• Between the fingers or toes.

• Any other dryness-prone areas.

What Are the Signs of Skin Fissure?

Some of the visible signs of skin fissure are as follows:

• Skin fissures that resemble cuts or splits.

• Thicker or calloused skin around the crack.

• The area is surrounded by dry skin.

• Bleeding.

• Itching.

• Discoloration of the skin.

• Due to the skin's incision, skin fissures can be painful.

• A crack might also allow irritants to enter, adding to the irritation or causing infection.

What Causes Skin Fissures?

Numerous conditions cause skin dryness, which progresses to cracks and fissures. Some of the causes are as follows:

1. Nutritional Deficiencies: Nutrients are essential for the body to maintain good skin. An inadequate diet or vitamin consumption can cause fissures. Vitamins of vitamin B, folates, fatty acids and zinc are vital to healthy skin. A person's skin may dry up, or wounds may heal slowly if nutritionally deficient.

2. Dry Skin Conditions: Fissures might also be more common in skin disorders that cause irritation, itching, and dryness. These circumstances include:

• Eczema (rough and inflamed skin).

• Psoriasis (itchy and scaly skin).

• Juvenile plantar dermatosis is when the skin alternates between being extremely wet and dry.

• Psoriasis involving the hands and feet is called palmoplantar keratoderma.

• The risk of fissures is diminished by treating or controlling skin conditions. Depending on the needs and underlying causes, clinicians will handle this differently, and patients will be educated about the cause and provided helpful tips and therapy. For instance, avoiding allergens or using antihistamines may be beneficial if a person has eczema brought on by an allergy. In contrast, medicines or phototherapy may be used to treat psoriasis.

  1. Fungal Infections: A dry, flaky, or itchy rash may be brought on by fungal skin infections like an athlete's foot, increasing the likelihood of fissures or cracks.

  2. Diabetes: A 2017 study found that people with diabetes are more likely to develop skin fissures on their feet.

  3. Autonomic neuropathy: A condition where there is nerve loss in the feet, can occur in people with diabetes. The loss diminishes the nerves' ability to detect the need for sweating in the foot. The lack of sweating can make the skin exceedingly dry and result in skin fissures.

• 3. Angiopathy: Angiopathy is an injury to blood vessels, including veins and arteries, and another potential reason for skin fissures. Angiopathy predisposes the skin to fissures, and the cause of this is unknown to doctors. However, the condition impairs skin health and slows wound healing due to blood not being able to reach certain areas of the skin.

What Are the Lifestyle Factors That May Cause Skin Fissures?

A person's lifestyle or everyday activities may aggravate dry skin conditions and specific medical causes, resulting in fissures. These consist of the following.

• Dehydration: Can result in dry or chapped skin if a person does not drink enough water to replenish the fluids they lose through sweat and urination.

• Frequent Washing: Washing can also reduce the moisture content of the skin. According to 2020 research of more than 526 healthcare professionals, 38.8% experienced skin fissures brought on by overly frequent hand washing during the COVID-19 epidemic.

• Climate: Fissures may also be exacerbated by dry, arid, or cold weather, especially for those predisposed to dry skin or who suffer from a skin condition like eczema.

• Career: Other occupations might contribute to or exacerbate dry skin, in addition to those that call for washing hands frequently. It includes labor that requires handling irritant chemicals, like hand sanitizer, working outside, or standing for extended periods since it causes stress on the heels.

• Footwear: Open-backed or weakly supported footwear may contribute to cracked heels. Shoe designs that do not have heel cushions and which increase pressure on the skin around it can contribute to cracked heels.

What Is the Treatment for Skin Fissures?

Treatment depends on the severity of the condition.

• Superficial Fissures: Doctors may suggest a self-care routine for shallow skin fissures that promotes healing and discourages the formation of new cracks. Some steps to be followed are as follows:

1. Daily inspection for cracks and new fissures of the feet.

2. Gently debridement (removal) of thicker, hardened skin with a pumice stone.

3. Moisturizing the skin to keep it supple and soft.

4. Application of gel or spray bandages.

• Open Fissures: People should use an appropriate moisturizer two to three times daily as long as there are open fissures. Some of the active components to consider while picking up an effective moisturizer for dry and cracked skin patches include:

1. Urea moisturizes and exfoliates.

2. Humectants attract moisture to the skin.

3. Salicylic acid removes dead skin cells.

• Deeper Fissures: Various methods used to treat deeper fissures are as follows.

1. Debridement entails a medical practitioner carefully removing dead skin.

2. Skin adhesives that keep fissures closed while they mend.

3. Dressings, bandages, or straps.

4. Antibiotics if the fissure is infected.

What Are the Home Remedies to Cure Skin Fissures?

Some home remedies are as follows:

• Olive Oil: Olive oil applied topically can reduce inflammation and hasten wound recovery. Olive oil can also help ward off infections and hasten tissue regeneration when applied to dry, cracked skin.

• Avocado Oil: Applying avocado oil can help with dry, broken skin. By accelerating the healing process and boosting collagen production, it can also aid in wound healing. Since collagen improves skin suppleness, it is especially helpful in preventing skin fissures.

• Honey: Honey is naturally hydrating and aids in the healing of damaged skin when applied topically. It also contains antimicrobial qualities that could help prevent skin infections.

• Aloe Vera: Aloe vera offers much-needed hydration and soothes cracked skin. Antioxidants in it may also aid in boosting collagen production in the skin.

How to Prevent Skin Fissures?

Some of the ways to prevent fissures are as follows:

• Maintain proper hygiene.

• Be sure to hydrate the skin.

• Put on fresh socks.

• Use appropriate footwear.

• Exfoliate callused skin spots gently (such as heels).

• Avoid going barefoot.

• Only spend a little bit of time standing or walking.

• Prevent the skin from being exposed to unnecessary amounts of water, heat, friction, or irritants, all of which can worsen dryness.

• Staying hydrated by drinking lots of water.

• Avoid wearing heels.

• Avoid washing the damaged regions frequently.

• Protect the affected regions with gel or spray bandages.

• Utilize drugs or lifestyle modifications to control underlying diseases like diabetes.

How Long Does It Take for Skin Fissures to Heal?

Indications of healing include fading skin fissures and the beginning of crack closure. They usually recover in a week or two. A mild skin fissure will disappear when the source of your skin fissure is removed (such as wearing slippers while walking, not washing your hands frequently, etc.)

Conclusion

Skin fissures are cracks that commonly appear at places prone to callus, dryness, or thickening, like the heels. Skin fissures should be treated right away. Deep fissures can cause sores or infections, and will prescribe bandages, ointments, and moisturizers.