Dry skin on the feet and cracked heels characterized by fissures (deep cracks) or hyperkeratosis (thickened areas of dry skin) can have various causes. Fungal infections are commonly associated with heel fissures, and the dry, cracked skin is often a chronic condition and quite difficult to treat.
Athlete’s foot can present as dry cracked skin on the sole of the foot (moccasin tinea pedis), and this type of fungal infection is typically resistant to topical therapy when used as solo therapy, because the scale on the sole of the foot impedes or limits the absorption of the antifungal agent. Elewski et al of the Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, evaluated the efficacy of 40% urea moisturizing cream as an adjunct to topical antifungals in the treatment of moccasin tinea pedis. Patients with untreated moccasin tinea pedis were selected from the general dermatology clinic and were treated with 40% urea cream once daily and antifungal cream twice daily. Patients then were evaluated after 2 to 3 weeks of treatment for the presence of redness, scaling, and itching. After 2 to 3 weeks, a 100% cure rate was achieved in the 12 patients treated concomitantly with topical 40% urea cream and antifungal cream.
Our compounding pharmacist can discuss individual needs with both patients and practitioners. Determining the cause of cracked feet and heels is key to finding the correct therapy. Talk to us today to see how we can help resolve and prevent the recurrence of cracked feet and heels.
We can compound combination preparations to meet specific patient needs.
