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A very simple medical concept that works most of the time is, if it hurts, it’s infected. When working with a simple Bohemian mind (mine), it has to be kept simple. All the magic heel creams, super-duper softeners, amazing hand moisturizers, cortisone salves or super glues (actually recommended by some docs) will not take away the pain.
During the week prior to writing this column, I heard at least three people talk about this problem. They tried using triple antibiotic ointment with only modest success. It’s the same story for heels. No amount of sanders, whittlers or Ped “ova” will relieve the hurt. Those splits are colonized by bacteria because there is a chink in the normal dead cell layer’s armor. They take the opportunity to invade, frolic and fester until they are killed off by some antibiosis.
The one remedy I have given out as a prescription, which seems to be most effective, is gentamicin. It’s an old one that probably should be available over the counter. As a prescription, it costs about $12. For chronic recurrences of such cracks, daily use on tender tips or scaly soles is necessary until the weather warms up and the moisture is no longer sucked out of the air and our bodies by furnaces (bless them, though).
This is a quick tip for sore skin splits that helps in the battle against one complication caused by Minnesota — and Wisconsin — winters.
Remember, cold temperatures provide our population with one of its two bragging rights, the other being skeeters. At least in winter we don’t have to use mosquito repellant, if that’s any consolation.
