Skin Fissures: Treatments for dried, cracked, and broken skin

Patches of dry, dehydrated skin that cause cracks and eventually swell up and damage the skin barrier are known as skin fissures. The vicinity of the skin is also affected by this fissure. Commonly affected areas include elbows, in between fingers, and knees.

Because dry skin is more common in people who have diabetes, they are inclined towards developing such skin conditions. In addition, if you have diabetes-related nerve damage in your feet or anywhere else in your body, you're more prone to developing skin dryness and heel cracks that can lead to fissures.

Fissure in the skin can be a painful and problematic issue that can significantly aggravate and cause bleeding. In addition to the discomfort it brings you physically, one might be hesitant to wear shoes that show the skin of their feet or expose dry areas of your skin as they appear embarrassing.

Fortunately, many skin fissures can be treated or even prevented at home. To combat dry skin, invest in a high-quality moisturizer like Delfina Dry Skin Oil and use it twice daily for two weeks, at least for the initial period.  If your skin fissures don't seem to be getting better, consult your dermatologist for a prescription treatment and address any infection symptoms.

Is Xerosis linked to Skin Fissures?

Dehydrated skin, also medically known as Xerosis, can also cause skin fissures in some people. The factors that can lead to this condition can be:

  • Excessive scrubbing 
  • Taking long, hot baths
  • Sun exposure 
  • Cold, windy weather
  • Regions of low moisture and humidity
  • Lack of fluid intake 

Xerosis takes a severe turn in the winter and fall season when the humidity decreases in the atmosphere and the oils and moisture in the upper layer of your skin are reduced to a critically low level. As a result, Xerosis is caused by extreme dryness, and skin fissures are caused by the same. So they are linked with each other transitively.

What leads to skin fissures?

The areas of skin under stress can make way for skin fissures. For example, suppose you are habitually wearing heels to work every day. In that case, you might be at risk of developing skin fissures as the heels are continuously under constant pressure throughout the day. Discoloration and apparent cracking of the skin are known as the symptoms of skin fissures.

Deep ulcers, also known as open sores, are induced by heel fissures and might become infectious and result in cellulitis, a painful skin infection that is difficult to eradicate. That's why it's critical to avoid and treat heel fissures as soon as they appear. They are usually developed in people with diabetes as their nerve damage in the feet prevents the signals from going to the brain, which results in a deteriorated skin condition.

Possible complications

Possible complications of skin fissures can be:

  • Severe Itching 

Irritation can cause severe itching, which can damage or break your skin barrier.

  • Redness 

Continuous itching can cause redness.

  • Swelling

Swelling can be the next stage in this condition.

  • Bleeding in some cases

In some people, skin fissures can lead to bleeding.

  • Bacterial infections

If not treated on time, infections can be caused, making way for a deteriorated skin condition.

  • Difficulty in walking and standing for a more extended time

As time passes, you can have trouble walking and hence make you bedridden in some cases.

  • Athlete's foot 

It is common among individuals who have wet feet all of the time, such as swimmers and runners. It's also prevalent among people with diabetes.

  • Increased use of Water 

Keeping your skin wet most of the time can also cause skin irritation, as a high amount of moisture might also be the reason for skin fissures. Therefore, pat your feet dry with a soft cloth as soon as you wash them if you have a habit of cleaning them repeatedly.

  • Vitamin deficiency 

Nutritional deficiencies can cause dry, itchy skin that takes longer to cure than healthy skin. If you think you could be suffering from a nutritional deficiency, talk to your primary care physician.

These fissures are found to be more prevalent in older age than younger people. 

When moisturizing, stick to products that are not harsh on your skin. We recommend Delfina Dry Skin Oil

How to remedy dry skin problems?

Talking in terms of treatment, we have to take several prolonged measures to treat skin fissures.

Exfoliation

Gentle massaging of the face and feet at least twice a week will help remove dead skin and provide a glowing and fresh touch to your skin. Use chemical-free and less scented products to prevent skin irritation.

Liquid Bandage

A liquid skin bandage can be used as a remedy to heal severe skin cracks. This over-the-counter treatment stimulates healing by binding broken skin together.

Read the directions on the packaging to apply it smoothly. Most liquid bandages are applied with a tiny brush. When the liquid dries, it will seal the skin.

Avoid mixing the liquid bandage with other creams or ointments since it needs to cling to your skin.

Don't rub 

Don't rub your skin harshly or too hard with a towel. Instead, gently pat the towel on dry skin to dry it. Otherwise, it can cause redness.

Limit the use of open heel shoes

Limit wearing heels every day and avoid standing for a more extended time so that the feet nerves are not stressed and eventually damaged. Instead, use flat shoes or covered footwear to keep the skin of your feet protected.

Natural remedies

Use of Coconut oil

For dry skin, eczema, and psoriasis, coconut oil has been known to be effective in certain circumstances. It can aid in the restoration of moisture in your skin. Coconut oil after a foot soak could also be an excellent choice. If your cracked heels are susceptible to infections or bleeding, coconut oil's antibacterial and anti-inflammatory characteristics may help.

Olive oil

Olive oil applied to the skin can help to decrease inflammation and speed up wound healing. In addition, olive oil can help prevent infections and speed up tissue regeneration when applied to dried and cracked skin.

Avocado oil

Avocado oil can be applied externally directly to aid with dry, damaged skin. It can also help wound healing by increasing collagen formation and speeding up the healing process. Collagen is particularly beneficial in avoiding skin cracks since it enhances skin suppleness.

Honey

To treat dryness effectively, the honey you use must still have its beneficial properties. This will boost your immune system and aid in the healing of blemishes and inflammation, and itching.

Mixing honey with other ingredients to make a relaxing face mask treatment is one approach to using honey for your face. However, before you start, make sure you test it on a small area of your skin with the honey and any added ingredients to confirm it won't react to your skin.

Aloe vera

Aloe vera heals broken skin while also replenishing dehydrated skin. It also includes antioxidants, which may aid in boosting collagen production in the skin.

Delfina Dry Skin Oil as a moisturizer

Use Delfina Dry Skin Oil to prevent dehydration due to dryness by penetrating the skin layers. Skin fissures won't be a headache anymore with Delfina Dry Skin Oil, as it is free from artificially solid scents and chemicals. Made from vegan ingredients by a doctor, this oil can be applied anywhere on the body compared to other moisturizers with limited application areas. Moreover, Delfina Dry Skin Oil has been a revolutionary solution for chronic dry and cracked skin, eczema, and psoriasis. 

The Bottom Line 

Skin fissures can become a cause of great stress if not handled properly. In addition, damaged and broken skin can lead to other bacterial reactions in some people, which can get bad within seconds if it is not adequately managed.

You can treat skin fissures with timely action and proper care. For easy management and prevention of cracked skin, use Delfina Dry skin Oil. It treats dry skin, including eczema and psoriasis, and acts as a hydrating agent to restore moisture on your skin. This revolutionary oil is made from botanical ingredients. It is designed to be soft on your skin.