HOMEOPATHY FOR SKIN CRACKS/FISSURES

A crack/ fissure is a slit in the skin which is usually localized to the epidermis. Cracks/ fissures are formed due to intense dryness and thickened skin. They can be shallow or deep, and they may bleed or be painful.

Usually, it is seen that dry skin progresses gradually. Initially, dryness does not cause much discomfort. As the dryness increases, the skin becomes tight, scaly, rough and itchy. Extreme dryness leads to shrinking of the skin that eventually develops cracks, particularly in areas that need to flex during movement such as soles of feet.

Etiology

Rough and cracked skin can arise from both internal and external causes.

External causes of skin dryness include:

Environmental

·       Unfavorable surroundings: Too hot, cold, or dry air affects the moisture level of the skin’s surface.

·       Weather changes: Peak summers and winters worsen the symptoms of skin dryness.

·       Ultraviolet sunrays: Harmful UV rays lead to premature aging of the skin and this aging skin is more prone to dryness.

Inappropriate skincare practices

·       Frequent washing that includes frequent hand washing or long hot baths removes natural oils that form the skin barrier.

·       Using alkaline soaps or harsh detergents removes skin lipids to dryness.

Medications

·       Certain medications such as the ones used to treat acne, or diuretics to control blood pressure as well as certain medical treatments such as dialysis for kidney problems, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy for cancer treatment cause dry skin as side effects.

Occupational risks

·       Certain occupations increase the risk of dry skin. This includes those occupations where there is either exposure to excess hot or cold air e.g., farmer, fisherman, etc., or exposure to chemicals e.g., cleaner, mechanic, etc., or frequent use of soap and detergents e.g., doctor, nurse etc.

Internal causes of dry skin include:

·       Genetic factors: It is seen that there are certain medical conditions such as psoriasis, keratosis Polaris, ichthyosis, and atopic dermatitis, which are often genetic and include skin dryness as a symptom.

·       Hormonal influences: Changes in the levels of certain hormones such as thyroid hormones, as well as estrogen and testosterone, strongly influences the lipid levels of the skin, thus causing dryness. In the case of women, this is especially noticeable during pregnancy or after menopause.

·       Age: As the skin ages, the moisture content of the skin as well as the ability of the skin to hold moisture decreases. Also, with increasing age the sensation of thirst decreases. Along with this, the production of lipids in the skin decreases. This leads to skin aging and the development of wrinkles.

·       Diet: It is seen that like other organs in the body, skin also requires a certain adequate amount of nutrients to function normally. For healthy skin right amount of vegetable oils and vitamins, especially vitamin E and vitamin C, is essential.

·       Smoking: Cigarette contains toxins that decrease the blood flow to the skin and slow down the skin metabolism, thus possibly contributing to skin dryness.

Clinical features

Dry skin can involve any part of the body; however. Some areas are more susceptible than others to become very dry and even get rough and cracked. These areas include:

·       Hands: Cracks mainly occurs around knuckles where the skin is tight. Frequent hand washing, weather changes, and using alkaline cleaners leads to dryness of the skin of the hands.

·       Feet: The skin of the heels area becomes dry and develop cracks.

·       Lips: Dry lips tend to develop cracks.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis by physical examination, based on the appearance of the skin. Any history of exposure to an allergen or irritating substance as well presence of other accompanying symptoms.

Management

General measures

·       If the cracked skin is due to an allergen, then it is advisable to avoid contact with that allergen to prevent rough skin from reoccurring.

·       Stress, smoking and scratching cracked skin can make symptoms worse, so one should avoid them.

·       Using fragrance- free good quality detergents for clothes and soaps for the body is advisable.

·       Keeping the rough skin well hydrated by using good quality fragrance-free moisturizers helps to improve the appearance of cracked skin.

·       The affected area should be kept clean to prevent the chances of getting an infection.

·       To avoid scarring of cracked and rough skin, one should keep the affected area well moisturized, avoid scratching the skin during the day and wear mittens to avoid scratching during sleep.

Homeopathy medicines

Homoeopathy today is a growing system and is being practiced all over the world. Its strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When Allergic rhinitis   is concerned there are many effective medicines are available in Homoeopathy, but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient, considering the mental and physical symptoms.

Alumina

Chapped and dry tottery skin. Intolerable itching when getting warm in bed. Must scratch until it bleeds; then becomes painful.

Anthracokali

Cracks and ulcerations. Chronic cracks, mainly seen on nostrils, hands and feet. Itching, worse at night.

Bryonia alb

Lips parched, dry, and cracked. Dryness of mouth, tongue, and throat, with excessive thirst.

Calcarea fluorica

Chaps and cracks. Fissures or cracks in the palms of the hands, or hard skin. Fissure of the anus.

Condurango

Deep, painful cracks on the corners of mouth. Fissures form about the muco-cutaneous outlets.

Cistus canadensis

Skin of hands hard, thick, dry, and fissured. Deep cracks. Severe itching. Itching which prevents sleep.

Graphites

Cracks in nipples, mouth, between toes, bends of limbs, anus, groins, and behind eras. Dry, rough, irritable skin that break easily and exudes a gluey moisture. Raw skin in cracks. Unhealthy skin, very slow to heal.

Lycopodium

Cracks on heels. Cracks are very deep and painful. Itching and sweating on the heels and feet. Painful callosities on the soles and toes.

Malandrinum

Dry, scaly, itching skin; rhagades of hands and feet in cold weather and from washing.

Mercurius iodatus flavus

Severe itching associated with cracks, worse at night.  Painful cracks, with pricking pain, worse at night, and pressure.

Mercurius iodatus ruber

Small multiple cracks, mainly on the palms. Sore to touch and prone to suppuration. Discharge from the crack is yellow, sticky, and offensive.

Petroleum

Deep cracks in folds, nipples, and finger tips. Skin dry, constricted, very sensitive, rough, and cracked, leathery. Cracks bleed easily. Tip of fingers rough, cracked, fissured every winter. Slightest scratch makes skin suppurate. Burning, and itching, redness and raw. Eczema and psoriasis with cracks. Cracks worse in winter season.

Pix liquida

Skin cracked. Itches intolerably; bleeds on scratching. Eruptions on back of hands.

Sarsaparilla

Skin cracked on hands and feet. Deep cracks on fingers and toes. Pain, itching and burning with cracks. Skin hard indurated. Skin complaints in summer.

Sulphur

Cracked skin with itching and burning, worse from scratching and washing.  Itching worse from warmth, evening, night, and from damp weather.  Dry, cracked, and scaly skin. Dry lips. Skin sensitive to heat and tend to have hot feet.

Xerophyllum

Skin rough and cracked; feels like leather. Intense itching, stinging, and burning.

X-ray

Painful cracks. Cracks on hands, feet, knees, extensor surfaces of joints. Dry, cracked skin with severe itching, worse in the bed, in the evening, and at night. Better in open air.