Heel Fissures are one of the common problem seen in foot care. Heel fissures are seen in the winter months when the air is dry. Heel fissures are also more common in folks that are moderately to severely obese. Current literature states that heel fissures have no cure. Prevention is the best medicine. Heel fissures are actually a problem that is secondary to recurrent callus formation. As the callus surrounding the heel thickens, the callus will crack or fissure. Fissures of the heel can become so deep and problematic that they bleed and become infected. Heel fissures can be particularly troublesome for those people that lack sensation in the foot, such as diabetics. Proper heel fissure care requires ongoing attention.

Additionally, Hand care is important, so obvious, and yet so often neglected. As the fall and winter months approach, dry, cracked, painful hands and fingers can become frequent skin concerns. Just think about the  the limitation in movement and comfort this presents. 

Pharmacy Innovations can compound many custom medications to treat both cracked heels and hands. Please This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it for more information

Hyperkeratosis of the heels: treatment with salicylic acid in a novel delivery system
Bikowski,J.

A 43-year-old woman presented with dryness and scaling of the lateral and posterior aspects of both heels, which was diagnosed as hyperkeratotic xerosis (Figure 1). Pertinent medical history included dry skin with winter exacerbation and painful hyperkeratosis of the heels present for many years. The patient applied a topical multivesicular cream formulation of 6% salicylic add (Salex, Healthpoint Ltd., Fort Worth, TX) to one foot b.i.d. The physician was blinded as to which foot was treated. After 2 weeks of treatment, it was apparent that the patient was applying the cream to the right foot, as evidenced by reduced dryness, scaling, and hyperkeratosis (Figure2). The patient continued treatment of the same foot for an additional 2 weeks, revealing a dramatic improvement of the right heel,which appeared smooth and soft and devoid of pain. No irritation was associated with treatment; the patient commented that this was the best her heel had been "in years." Subsequently, the patient treated both heels with salicylic acid 60%, multivesicular cream. A second patient, a 25-year-old woman, was treated for ichthyosis vulgaris and hyperkeratosis of both heels. She presented w ith multiple painful fissures and hyperkeratosis of the posterior heels bilaterally (Figure 3). After I week of topical treatment with salicylic add 6%, multivesicular cream applied b.i.d. to the left heel only, there was rapid resolution of both hyperkeratosis and pain (Figure 4).

Sources: Skinmed. 2004 Nov-Dec;3(6):350-1.PMID: 15538090 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]