How to treat cracks between the toes - medicines and folk remedies

Cracked toes are painful sores that appear between and under the toes. Wounds on the toes are characterized by pain, discomfort when walking, and inflammation in the area of ​​the wound. It is important to find out how cracks between the toes occur, the causes and treatment of the pathological condition.

Cracked toes are a common condition with many causes. This problem is seasonal, occurring more frequently in the summer. The appearance of wounds between the fingers is a serious problem that needs to be treated and controlled promptly.

The development of the disorder can occur in both children and adults. The symptoms of the disease have a clear clinical picture. When examining the patient's foot, an inflamed wound surface with smooth edges and a noticeable oval-shaped wound bottom are observed. The skin around the injury is red, swollen, and there is pain at the location of the wound surface.

Where do cracked toes come from?

The appearance of cracks in the skin of this part of the body is considered one of the most unpleasant signs of infection or a sign of dysfunction of internal organs.

This problem will not go away without outside intervention and if the symptoms are ignored, it will begin to get worse. Thus, the cracks gradually expand, become deeper, and begin to bleed. In addition, due to pain and severe itching, a person cannot not only walk well, but even sleep. Therefore, timely therapy is required to prevent the development of complications.

Therapeutic ointments to relieve skin redness

Every home medicine cabinet should have an ointment containing natural herbal ingredients. This product effectively copes with redness and flaking of the skin, itching and other symptoms of skin diseases. Such gels can be easily purchased at a pharmacy.

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Your attending physician will help you decide on the choice of a specific remedy. Pay attention to ointments that contain a complex of vitamins and essential oils.

This product will quickly cope with skin redness and swelling, increase the protective properties of the skin, relieve you of itching, soften the skin and improve the process of cell renewal.

Causes

To determine why the skin is cracking, a person needs to undergo a medical examination. This will allow you to prescribe effective therapy that will help you get rid of discomfort and pain in a short period of time.

The reasons can be external and internal.

External ones include:

1. Shoes of poor quality and inappropriate size, which impair blood circulation and increase sweating. Because of this, cracks usually occur under the little finger;
2. An advanced form of fungal disease leads to the formation of deep and painful wounds;
3. Lack of foot care;
4. The skin often bursts as a result of interaction with various irritants;
5. Increased ambient air temperature.

Internal violations, one of the signs of which is the occurrence of cracks:

1. Thyroid dysfunction;
2. Presence of extra pounds;
3. Poor blood circulation in the lower extremities;
4. Hormonal imbalances;
5. Diabetes mellitus of any type;
6. Insufficient amount of vitamins and minerals;
7. Taking medications that lead to dry skin.

In addition, the cause of a crack can be a fracture of a finger due to an accidental impact on some object.

Medications

Before treating cracks, it is necessary to determine the cause of the problem and eliminate it.

If the damage appears as a result of infection with a fungus or other infection, then you can use an ointment that has a disinfectant and anti-inflammatory effect. Terbinafine and Lamisil are widely used in medicine.

Attention! Therapy must be completed completely, otherwise there is a risk of relapse of the infection.

Cracks caused by external influences are lubricated with the following preparations:

1. "Nutraderm";
2. "Allga San";
3. "Shostakovsky's Ointment";
4. "Petrolatum";
5. "Dawn";
6. "SixtuMed" for diabetics and others.

Rubromycosis

Another fungal infection of the feet that occurs through direct contact with a sick person or through household contact. After infection, cracks and scales appear in the interdigital folds. Itching and burning occurs. The tissues turn red, swell and become wet. To relieve discomfort, sedatives and antihistamines are used. External treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs is necessary. Then keratolytics are prescribed for exfoliation. The fungus is eliminated using antifungal ointments.

Healing baths

If the skin between your toes is cracking , baths prepared with saline and soda solutions, as well as herbal decoctions, are helpful. The following options are widely used:

1. Add 3 tsp to 3 liters of warm water. soda or rock salt. The procedure should last at least half an hour a day;
2. 1 liter of boiling water is poured into a mixture of celandine, chamomile and plantain. When it cools down a little, place the feet in the basin for half an hour;
3. Take 2 tsp. finely crushed soap without fragrances and dyes and combine with 1 tsp. baking soda, the mixture is diluted with boiling water;
4. 2 tsp. boric acid must be diluted in 2 liters of boiling water;
5. If the skin is cracked due to a fungal infection, then for treatment you should do foot baths with the addition of vinegar or lemon juice 1-2 times a day;
6. Pour boiling water over a small amount of oak bark and string. The procedure has both a regenerating and anti-inflammatory effect.

After softening the skin, the damaged epidermis must be carefully cleaned and the treated area lubricated with a nourishing agent.

Treatment with pharmaceuticals

The most effective for treating burst skin between the toes, of course, are various pharmaceutical preparations in the form of creams, ointments, and gels. They quickly heal wounds, soften the skin, and prevent the formation of new cracks. A good effect is achieved by alternating 2-3 wound healing products.

Among such means we highlight the following:

• if cracks arise due to external factors, any pharmaceutical foot cream with a label like “Healing against cracks” will be enough to eliminate them. For example, Carmol, Dardia, Nutraderm creams, and foot creams with urea are quite effective;

• Betadine ointment gives a good result, and if you need a product from the “cheap and cheerful” category, then quite impressive results can be achieved using regular Vaseline or vinylin (Shostakovsky ointment);

• It may seem ridiculous, but the advice to use Zorka to heal cracked legs is quite realistic. To get this cream, you will have to go not to a regular pharmacy, but to a veterinarian - after all, “Zorka” is intended for the treatment of cracks in the cow’s udder. However, many have already experienced the effect of this product on their feet - and they are not overjoyed. The cream is very greasy and has an unpleasant smell - but you can be sure that there is nothing unnecessary in it, only what is needed for skin healing;

• In case of fungus, it is recommended to treat cracks with the help of special antifungal wound healing agents: Terbinafine, Termicon, Clotrimazole, Miconazole, Ketoconazole, Lamisil, etc. If local medications do not help, oral medications must be added to treatment. Remember that antifungal agents must be prescribed by a doctor;

• To treat cracks between the toes of diabetics, it is recommended to use the SixtuMed treatment line. This is a foot bath oil and balm specially developed for diabetic patients, containing plant components that have a pronounced antibacterial and antifungal effect. SixtuMed products perfectly nourish and moisturize the skin, heal cracks, and relieve irritation. Instructions for use: add SixtuMed oil to a bath of warm water (at the rate of 1 teaspoon of oil per 1 liter of water). After taking the bath, your feet should be allowed to dry without using a towel and SixtuMed balm should be applied to problem areas.

Prevention

It can be difficult to cure a crack, so doctors recommend following several preventative measures:

1. The diet must be balanced so that the body receives all the necessary minerals and vitamins in the right quantities;
2. To drink a lot of water;
3. Every evening you should thoroughly and carefully clean the surface of your feet using special peelings;
4. Moisturizing or nourishing products must be applied to the skin daily;
5. Shoes should be of high quality and loose, this will help prevent cracks on the little toe;
6. application of preventive sprays will be beneficial for the skin of the feet . Such products should be used, first of all, before visiting swimming pools and saunas;
7. It is prohibited to use other people's personal hygiene items;
8. It is useful to massage your feet two to three times a week;
9. Chronic diseases should not be neglected.

Following these tips will reduce the risk of a crack that can turn into a deep wound.

Conclusions about crack therapy

In conclusion, it is worth recalling that timely medical intervention and vigilance towards developing symptoms can eliminate side effects and complications. For example, without the timely use of pharmaceuticals, the risk of complications of the intertriginous or dyshidrotic form increases. And they are much more difficult to get rid of.

Combine treatment with baths and official medications - ointments, gels, sprays or even tablets for oral use. And don't forget about taking care of your skin. It must be washed regularly and treated with special heel creams like Gewohl.

It is important to prevent fungal diseases and wear comfortable shoes. This will reduce the risk of crack recurrence. And during treatment of existing ones, be sure to listen to the dermatologist’s prescriptions. This is the only way to cure cracks in the little finger in a short time.

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How long does it take to heal?

The healing period of such damage depends on several factors:

1. Dimensions and depth;
2. Location of damage;
3. The cause of the wound;
4. State of human health.

If, for example, a crack appears on or between your toes due to dryness or minor injury from a foreign object, it will take approximately one to two weeks for the discomfort to ease and the sores to diminish . If the wound was caused by any disease of the internal organs, then the improvement is unlikely to begin until general health is improved; healing is noticed after a long time: from a month or more.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of the disease is carried out by a dermatologist based on clinical signs.

An accurate diagnosis is complemented by a number of specific tests:

• microscopy of the damaged area;
• scraping scales from the affected area;

• fungal cultures to determine the pathogen;
• microbiological examination - biopsy with cell histology.

Cracks between the toes (causes and treatment, diagnosis) - the work of specialized medical specialists: gastroenterologist, endocrinologist, neurologist, allergist and others. If the dermatologist has not identified a connection with a fungal and parasitic infection, then the patient is referred to these doctors.

What should you not do for cracked fingers?

If the skin between your toes is cracked , the following things are prohibited:

1. Treating wounds, thinking that everything will heal without outside intervention;
2. Self-medicate, because such skin problems can be the result of both external factors and diseases of internal organs;
3. Bandage the entire foot tightly;
4. Continue to move actively, because this can lead to their increase;
5. If the skin has been torn as a result of a fracture, for example, of the little finger, then taking hot baths is prohibited.

List of medicines for skin cracks

Before starting treatment for a crack that has appeared under the little finger, you need to determine its causes. This skin disease usually occurs due to a fungal infection. But there are other reasons for the appearance of the disease, for example, a wound that has become infected. Its activity in the tissues of the foot causes the skin to dry out, become rough and begin to crack, which causes serious pain. The same sensations appear due to the use of shoes that are not the right size or those with excessively high heels in women. Shoes with closed toes in hot weather and adhesives are also dangerous.

First, the skin of the legs stops receiving enough air, and then the upper layers of the dermis begin to redden and become inflamed.

Often, in case of infectious lesions or the consequences of wearing the wrong shoes, baths are given.

This allows you to treat the entire skin of your feet without much effort. But it’s worth figuring out how to deal with more serious pathogens such as fungal infections:

It should be noted that the most common form of preparation for cracks under the little finger is cream, ointment or gel. This is due to the fact that external treatment allows you to quickly get to the source of the disease in a specific situation. But some dermatologists also prescribe oral medications. In this case, they should be combined with external therapy. The course, combining ointment and tablets, should last at least two weeks. This will not only destroy the external signs of the disease, but also kill its causative agent. Let's talk about how each of the medications described works.

Anmarin

Anmarin, regardless of the form of release, is offered for various types of dermatophytosis. It treats superficial candidiasis of the skin, nail plates or mucous membranes, seborrhea of ​​the scalp or psoriasis. Moreover, the powerful active substance copes even with advanced diseases. We must remember that:

• the drug is produced in the form of liniment, packaged in glass jars of 20 grams, gel and solution;
• apply a thin layer to the affected surface twice a day until complete recovery;

• The medicine can be ordered on the Internet, but it is difficult to find, since it is excluded from the State Register.

You should not use this medication if you are hypersensitive to its components. It can also pose a risk to pregnant women and pre-teen children. Among the most likely adverse reactions are itching, peeling of the skin near the crack, hyperemia or a burning sensation when in contact with socks.

Chlorhexidine

Chlorhexidine is a high-quality healing drug that can be used to treat a crack under the little finger at home. Dermatologists and other medical specialists prescribe it for genital herpes, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and symptoms of syphilis and gonorrhea. Chlorhexidine successfully helps with periodontal disease and stomatitis. This is due to the fact that it can disinfect, heal and strengthen not only bone tissue, but also muscles when they are mechanically or otherwise damaged. The features of this tool are:

• there is a solution, ointment, gel, suppositories, cream, but external subtypes of the drug are most preferred;

• The dosage regimen directly depends on the form of release and the size of the crack, the strength of the pain syndrome;
• this cheap antiseptic medicine will cost 17-43 rubles.

Chlorhexidine should not be used in case of individual intolerance to the active substance, for dermatitis, in parallel with other antiseptics. It is dangerous to use it in ophthalmology, during disinfection before surgery, or when the patient is under 18 years of age inclusive. Also, the medicine is not recommended for pregnant women.

In case of an overdose of this antiseptic medicine, symptomatic treatment is necessary.

Potential side effects from Chlorhexidine include itchy skin, rashes on the feet, and dermatitis. Photosensitivity is sometimes observed. As for using the medicine near the oral cavity, tartar may form and there is a risk of discoloration of the tooth enamel.

Vinylin

Vinyline is considered the most commonly prescribed remedy for cracks. However, it helps in more than just treating a cracked toe. It can also be used for carbuncles, boils, long-healing purulent wounds, mastitis, and burns. Sometimes medicine helps with trophic ulcers, but you can’t count on it alone. Some doctors believe that Vinilin is suitable for restoring skin from burns and frostbite. It is important to remember a number of its characteristics:

• is a yellow thick liquid, similar in consistency to ointment;
• with a medicinal mass applied to cotton wool, you need to smear the crack under the little finger and the place between the fingers once a day;

• prices for medicine start from 83 Russian rubles.

The manufacturer notes in the instructions that Vinylin should not be used if you are intolerant to the main components. It also warns of possible allergic reactions. There is no data on overdose confirmed by clinical studies. The interaction of Vinilin with other drugs has not been studied.

Solcoseryl

It is worth understanding why Solcoseryl ointment is prescribed, because it is what practicing dermatologists prefer. This remedy helps with minor injuries to the skin, frostbite, and 1st and 2nd degree burns. Solcoseryl can be used during the treatment of wounds that heal with difficulty, even if pus constantly accumulates in them. It is prescribed for bedsores or trophic skin disorders of unknown etiology. To use this pharmacological agent correctly, you need to understand its features:

• you can find ointment, gel or injections for intravenous administration;

• dosage and regimen depend on the severity of the disease and the age of the patient;
• the average cost is 462-1676 Russian rubles.

Solcoseryl is contraindicated for atopy, intolerance to milk, benzoic and parahydroxybenzoic acid. It is used with caution if the patient has a tendency to acute allergic reactions or urticaria. Most often, patients encounter the following side effects of Solcoseryl: short-term burning sensation, redness of the affected skin, pain at the site of application of the ointment. Occasionally, doctors note mild swelling around a crack in the little toe, which can make it difficult to wear shoes with hard soles.

Lamisil

Lamisil in the form of oral tablets is prescribed for fungal diseases and mycoses. The cream and spray, in turn, help in the treatment of diaper rash, in the prevention of mycosis and for the treatment of versicolor in both adults and children. We must not forget about a number of characteristics of the drug:

• Available in the form of healing cream, tablets and spray for surface treatment;

• the number of uses per day depends on the illness and condition of the patient, as well as the recommendations of the dermatologist;
• the medicine costs approximately from 532 to 1105 rubles.

The drug is not prescribed for hypersensitivity to components, liver diseases, or impaired renal function. It is dangerous to give it if the patient cannot leave the working state. The fact is that prolonged use of the medicine causes dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and apathy. And external forms can provoke acute pain syndrome and lead to swelling of the affected area. Therefore, it is important that your feet are kept in socks or shoes as little as possible. Also, never cover a crack with adhesive tape. Ideally, keep her calm and lie down for as long as possible.

How to treat diabetic fissures?

In people who suffer from diabetes, the skin cracks more often. But it is very important for them to monitor the integrity of the epidermis, because their immunity is weakened, and infection can lead to deterioration in health.

In medicine, healing ointments created specifically for diabetics are used. Before applying them, it is recommended to take baths for the lower extremities so that the epidermis becomes soft, and then remove dead cells with a scrub.

It is forbidden to treat the skin on the feet with a pedicure blade and take baths with too hot water.

The effect of dry skin on the appearance of cracks

If the skin on your big toe or anywhere else is cracking, you need to take care of more intense hydration of the body. To do this, you can use oils, special gels, creams or sprays. Indeed, with increased dryness of the skin, its elasticity decreases and any movement can lead to micro-tears, which gradually increase.

The feet receive quite a lot of load during the day, so damage often appears on their surface or between the toes, making it difficult to move freely and painlessly. The manifestation of defects should not be neglected , because they may indicate not only the impact of an unfavorable external environment, but also dysfunction of internal organs. Therefore, it is necessary to undergo examination by a doctor and select a treatment method.

Timely diagnosis and treatment are the key to a positive result

The most important thing is to detect symptoms in time and be sure to consult a dermatologist. For positive treatment of peeling skin of the hands and feet, it is very important to establish the correct cause of the disease in order to avoid even more complex consequences.

If there is no disease as such, it is quite easy to get rid of the unaesthetic appearance of protruding skin between the fingers. You can use a pumice stone or scrub for your feet or hands, removing any remaining dead skin and moisturizing the clean surfaces with cream. But if there is already itching, small cracks that cause pain when walking, and the skin is peeling quite intensely, then this can already threaten more serious consequences. Having visited a dermatologist, it is necessary to undergo a special test and thereby completely exclude or confirm the diagnosis of athlete's foot.