[BigDogz]

I have one very small fissure in the skin of my right heel that's been no real problem. My left foot, though...hey, wasn't that a title of a movie??

Ok...focus, child, focus...

My left foot has two fissures, one that measures 1/4 inch across and 1/2 inch long. It's situated directly in the center of my heel. The other one is situated in front of that, toward my arch, by about 1/4 inch and slightly off toward the outside of the foot. It measures 1/4 inch wide and a full inch long. Both of these are very painful, particularly when I have to be on my feet for long periods but, thankfully, are not deep enough to have bled (yet) and do not look infected.

I have no real idea just how long they've been there nor how they got there. The only thing I can say is that I discovered them this past September when my feet were so numb that I finally sought medical care...and got the pre-D diagnosis. I can say, however, that they are NOT cuts/slices from stepping on something when my feet were too numb to feel it. It's obvious that the skin edges are jagged and split.

My feet are FAR from dry so I'm not certain why I would have them. I also can't seem to get them to heal despite wearing good shoes, cushioned socks and moisturizing like crazy.

Anyone ever deal with these and what did you do to get them healed? I'm to the point where it would almost be perferable having the numbness back than to be constantly standing/walking on sore feet.

[Caravaggio]

What did your doctor say?

[BigDogz]

"Moisturizer, moisturize, moisturize."

Big help, huh?

[Caravaggio]

I wonder if this is within the realm of a podiatrist?

My husband had a similar problem. I got him to dump lotion on his feet then wearing socks before going to bed. The problem eventually went away (not sure the lotion helped, but I'd like to think so). I'll ask him if he can remember any special treatment he applied.

[Penny]

The only thing that worked for me was an intense routine. I soaked my feet until they were "prunish", , lathered Vaseline on and put clean, soft socks on. When they were at their worst, much worse than you describe, I did that at least twice a day. It took a couple of weeks for me to notice a difference. I still put the vaseline and clean socks on after every shower, because when I quit for a few weeks it started coming back.

[RandallFlagg]

Before I was diagnosed, I would get cracked finger tips due to all the home improvement products I came into contact with. Especially cement products. I used a product I got at Costco. It's called O’Keeffe’s Working Hands. They keep it behind the counter at the pharmacy department, don't ask me why. It's in a green container that looks like a green hockey puck. The company that makes it also makes one for feet, but I've never seen it for sale locally so I just use the hands one on my heels. I like it because it's almost greaseless. If I want to walk around in socks and ruin a pair, I'll lather up both heels in utter cream. That you can get at almost any drugstore. It works, but it's messy. My heels have been cracked for longer than I can remember, I just never knew it was from diabetes. Since my sugars have gotten under control, they seem to be much better than before. Lastly, if you try working hands and have any open sores it does burn for a few minutes after applying. It will fade quickly, but a fair warning to test a small area first.

[Mich]

Hi Bigdogz,
to everything Penny said. I've had this before also. I don't let it get that bad anymore, now that I know I am prone. To heal it up the first time, I bought some thick creme especially for feet and used socks. After soaking my feet, I gave my "rough spots" a light debrading with a foot grater made by Dr Scholl, and filled the cracked part with Neosporin and covered it with a wide band-aid before using the all-over creme. I wore running shoes until I was healed so that I could keep moisture on my heels.

I am very careful of rubbed spots, blisters or callus build up and check my feet regularly. My inborn grace insures a regular supply of stubbed toes, so I keep neosporin and band-aids close at hand.

Now my regular routine is to hit all of the rough spots with the grater each time I am in the shower and keep my feet moisturized. I never let callus get built up.

A trick that really helps the bottoms of my feet (which seem to dry out faster) was to find a cheap pair of terrycloth flip flops or slippers, coat the inside with creme and wear them around the house. Spares the carpets and floors.

Michi

[foxl]

Okay, folks ... scary story.

My DH (non-diagnosed, "pre-diabetic," but his recent post-prandial blood sugars can get as high as 150) had chronic, poorly-treated athlete's foot. And nail fungus. But that is not the scary part.

On Memorial Day last year, he woke at 3 am, with a very high fever, sweats, chills, shaking like a leaf, delerious (though I did not immediately catch on). Proceeded to horrendous, system-emptying vomiting and diarrhea ... weakness, etc. and continued fever. 24 hours later, he goes to see his PCP at his office. Sent straight to ER ... admitted with by then irregular EKG, hypokalemia from the v&d ... 3 days in CCU, followed by 7 days in a regular unit, a central line and five different antibiotics ... they never could culture ANYTHING but the third "designer" antibiotic finally showed some response. 7 more days getting same as an outpatient, through central line.

This was presumed MRSA infection ... from soaking in a hot tub at a local athletic facility. It had gotten in via broken foot skin.

Final bill, pre-insurance (as if the threat to his life was not enough) $86,000.

Take care of your feet, okay?

[foxl]

Separate topic form the horror story, does anyone have an opinion of Heel Balm? It is a urea-containing ointment that really seems to help.

[Patient254]

I was going to say bag balm is good. Square green can at Walgreens or other stores.

[livelong]

I had a crack on my heal with a callus that would not go away so I went to the Podiatrist. Turned out I had a plantar wart. The Doc treated it and it went away.

[Penny]

Originally Posted by foxl

Separate topic form the horror story, does anyone have an opinion of Heel Balm? It is a urea-containing ointment that really seems to help.

That reminded me that someone gave me a tube of HeelBalm for Christmas, and it was still in my stocking, packed away with other Christmas things. I found it, and will try it tonight....my feet are not bad right now,just rough because I have not been taking care of them for a few days.

[angelsbridges]

Is very dry skin on the feet normal for prediabetes?

Mine are so dry it's ridiculous. I've tried lathering lotion on and then the socks, but it only keeps them moisturized for about 10 minutes after removing the socks D:

They've been cracking and painful...I should try soaking them first, maybe.

[princesslinda]

Originally Posted by angelsbridges

Is very dry skin on the feet normal for prediabetes?

It may be common in diabetics, but plenty of non-diabetics have cracked heels. We see it a lot in the dermatology office I transcribe for. It's esp. bad this time of year when most of us have drier skin all over.

[allisonM]

Originally Posted by BigDogz

I have one very small fissure in the skin of my right heel that's been no real problem. My left foot, though...hey, wasn't that a title of a movie??

Ok...focus, child, focus...

My left foot has two fissures, one that measures 1/4 inch across and 1/2 inch long. It's situated directly in the center of my heel. The other one is situated in front of that, toward my arch, by about 1/4 inch and slightly off toward the outside of the foot. It measures 1/4 inch wide and a full inch long. Both of these are very painful, particularly when I have to be on my feet for long periods but, thankfully, are not deep enough to have bled (yet) and do not look infected.

I have no real idea just how long they've been there nor how they got there. The only thing I can say is that I discovered them this past September when my feet were so numb that I finally sought medical care...and got the pre-D diagnosis. I can say, however, that they are NOT cuts/slices from stepping on something when my feet were too numb to feel it. It's obvious that the skin edges are jagged and split.

My feet are FAR from dry so I'm not certain why I would have them. I also can't seem to get them to heal despite wearing good shoes, cushioned socks and moisturizing like crazy.

Anyone ever deal with these and what did you do to get them healed? I'm to the point where it would almost be perferable having the numbness back than to be constantly standing/walking on sore feet.

Hi BigDogz

I have an interest in diabetic foot care and the healing of diabetic ulcers although I am not a health professional. My uncle recently lost toes, foot and leg to these hideous beasties, and I feel terrible about it. The fact is I am involved in a company which is planning to put a product on to the market for this problem, but naturally we need to go through clinical trials first so I can't give you anything right now. However I will say this, and I would appreciate feedback about this. There is significant credible scientific evidence that Papaya latex enzymes seem to be effective in healing these wounds. Papain (one of the enzymes) is used in a number of products already for burns and I think also for ulcer healings. I can't tell you which products ( I can't figure out what country you are in). But saying this Green papaya appears to have more of this enzyme then ripe papaya. I can probably dig up some articles about it. Perhaps you can make a poultice or something to apply to the ulcers.