CommuterKat

This is a new one for me. I did a search on here, and couldn't find any threads on it, so I thought I would try here. The skin on the bottom of the ball of my left foot is cracking open! It is right where my pedal hits, so I am pretty sure it has something to do with all of the bigger rides I have been doing lately. I wear Teva sandals when I ride because my feet get so hot and sweaty when I am out there, that the open air feels much better than regular shoes.

Has anyone else had this happen to their feet? It is very strange to say the least, and slightly painful too! There are two cracks about an inch to an inch and a half long each, and they are pretty much open and occasionally bleeding. Gross, icky, ouchy... grumble....whine.....help me before my feet fall off.......

flipper

My husband has this same problem he has tried almost everything to fix it and had decided that Tough Actin' Tinactin Antifungal spray works the best, he does not like the power. Hope this helps.


I grew up in Vermont, Jericho to be exact. Are you going to school there? My husband and I have spent a couple summers there and love riding our bikes there.

CommuterKat

I am in Richmond, right next to Jericho. It is so beautiful here. Yes, I am going to school here. I have a year left for my undergrad, and then I am going to grad school at UVM for social work.

The Tinactin worked on the cracks and didn't sting like crazy? I am not sure this is a fungal infection. It doesn't itch or burn, just cracked and pain where the cracks hit the shoes.

Bockman

That is a symptom of Athlete's Foot-- or at least, those are the symptoms when presented on the sole of the foot.

Dave

CommuterKat

Dave, I have had athlete's foot between my toes before, and this doesn't seem similar at all. No itching, burning, etc. Just wierd...

Bockman

It is weird when it's just on the sole. the skin appears whitish or 'cloudy', very dry, and cracks open. Not all fungal infections are built the same, it could be a fungus which requires an oral such as Lamisil. If it keeps up I sure would see a doctor. Most times they can give you a full treatment's worth gratis from samples laying around the office.

tinman831

The skin on your feet may just be dry, and when you go on those long rides, they get cracked and raw. Try lotion and see if the cracking goes away. Of course, if its bleeding, you might want to stay off the bike for a while

Knighty

Yup, I'd rule out infection (fungal) first and then apply copious amounts of lotion to my feet before and after rides. Assuming it isn't callouses forming from rubbing (you mentioned the problem area is right where the pedal pushes on the foot), dry skin seems the most likely culprit.

CommuterKat

Thanks a bunch for all of the input. It actually seems to be getting a little better on it's own. I have only done short rides this week, and it is healing a bit, so dry skin and pressure seem to be the culprit. I am definitely going to slather on the lotion from now on, especially when I get back from big rides. Maybe I should bring a little bottle with me and lube up mid way through! Thanks again, Kat.

catatonic

I've had a rather serious case of athlete's foot a few times, and when it's on the soles of the feet, it usually does not itch....it only itches if you scratch it raw. I have no clue why, but that's how it's always been for me.

UziBeatle

Just a thought to add. Diabetes symptoms include drying skin on the feet, soles, and
cracks forming. I myself was recently diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic and and am now
applying lotion to my feet daily. I had splits in callouses for a year or two and the skin
lotion was the cure.
(Or maybe it was also the fact I'm on a new exercise program with diet and diabetic medication with lower blood sugar. Grin)


New to these forums and loving it.

r800rider

Consult a doctor.

coney

I get it between my toes in the crease sometimes when my feet are wet for long periods of time. Like in the winter when I have thick socks and shoes on and me feet sweat. The only thing I can do to fix it is to let them be as dry as possible as often as possible, then they heal. If you say your feet have been getting sweaty a lot, just go barefoot as often as possible, maybe put some loose gauze on to keep the dirt out, but let them dry out good.

Bill Hinds

Try wearing two layers of socks. Be sure the inner layer wicks moisture away from the skin.

Bill Hinds

I get something similar on my heels some times if I don't take care of them. After shower and drying off I put petroleum jelly on and rub it in and put a light pair of cotton anklets on to keep the Vaseline next to the skin.(and off of the sheets). 5 days of this clears it right up. A more drastic trick takes more work and discipline. After the shower and drying, put a lot of Vaseline all over the foot, smear it on good. Cover the foot with a sheet of poly film i.e. Saran wrap then the sock. This last trick will take off corns, calluses, and clear up cracks in the sjkin, you name it. If you keep at it, your feet will become soft like a baby's bottom. Of course you have to clean, dry thefeet and change socks in the morning. Another poster here talked about diabetes 2. I have this also but have been taken off medication for it due to dieting and exercise. A major concern for diabetics is loss of circulation in the legs and feet In my case I ride the bike so much that my circulation is the greatest that it has been in years. Of course if you suspect something major you gotta see the doctor.

CommuterKat

Thank-you to everyone who replied. They are pretty much cleared up now. I am pretty sure now that it was caused by the shoes that I was wearing on the bike. I like to wear my Teva's as my feet get really hot when I ride, but the rubber soles keep the sweat right against my skin, causing it to crack. I stopped wearing the sandals for a week and most of the problem cleared right up. I am still wearing them on the bike as long as the weather permits, to keep the feet cool, but now I at least know what happened.

Stacy

Good to hear the problem has cleared up.

I'm also been wearing Tiva sandals and having the same problem on the ball of my left foot. I also developed dry skin and sores in other places where the straps have heavy contact with skin. For whatever reason I'm not having this problem with my right foot. Last week, after 20 miles or so in moderate traffic, it felt like my foot was going to explode.

My guess is, it's probably better to wear socks that will help keep feet dry and treat feet with fungicide before it reaches this level.

Stacy