I am a 53-year old male, 5’11” and 195 pounds. I am in reasonably good physical shape, take no medications and rarely get sick. I’ve played racquetball for many years and can play intensely for two hours. I sweat a lot when I exercise.

I have calluses on the balls of both feet. I periodically develop fissures at the edge of the ball that is towards the heel. Occasionally these fissures deepen and become painful when I walk. A simple band-aid helps, but does not sovle the problem.

I went to a podiatrist who recommended arch supports. I’ve used them when I play racquetball. I also have been wearing two pair of socks. However the fissures did not heal.

I stopped playing racquetball for about 3 months, rubbed my feet with lotion and the fissures seem to have healed. Today, while shoveling snow, my boots soaked through and the painful fissure reopened.

Can you tell me what causes these fissures? Is it moisture, irritation, an infection, or some combination? What is the best say to permanently heal them?

Thank you.

Well often the fissures occur from dryness in the skin which causes the cracking. It is often more common in the winter months as well. My recommendation is to keep the foot moisturized. You should be using a cream which is better than the lotion and apply it twice a day. I like the Eucerin cream or Vaseline for over- the-counter products. I use Carmol-40 cream for my patients with a prescption. The Carmol cream not only helps moisturize, but it also helps to treat the calluses.