What Causes Cracked Skin?
Anyone can develop hardened, cracked skin, especially in the winter. Diabetics often have severely cracked skin. It is estimated that 17 million Americans have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and almost 6 million people have the disease but have not been diagnosed. Nobody knows exactly why diabetics are prone to skin cracks, but the problem appears to involve the nervous system. Nerves in the legs and feet do not get the message to keep the skin soft and moist. Once the skin dries out and cracks appear, high blood glucose levels allow bacteria to thrive, making the problem worse. However, non-diabetics suffer from dry, cracked skin, too. Other factors that can be involved include: • Prolonged standing, especially on hard floors.
