Foot injuries

[Barb]

I really need some help on this! We are going crazy with Carters feet!

About 2 years ago he got a pressure sore on his ankle that never really healed (I have written about it elsewhere on the forum I am sure). It went through two staph infections and to this day the area peels and cracks and will occassionally break open.

Sometime in the spring Carter cut his big toe open so badly that the skin from the bottom flapped over the top. He did it in the swimming pool WITH pool shoes on. It took about a month to heal. Since then we have had two other major toe cuts requiring hospital visits.

Last week we had to go to the emergency room to have his little toe stitched back together as he split it open in a BOUNCY HOUSE for heavens sake. There was nothing even in the bouncy house to cut it. Today it broke open again in the 30 seconds he didn't have his protective shoe on.

Of course none of it hurts him and he never even realizes it until he sees blood everywhere. I am at my wits end on how to protect his feet. The injuries dont heal unless it gets a little air but unwrapping them causes further injury if he hits it ever so slightly.

Is this really common? What can I do short of wrap him in bubble wrap (joking)? His circulation is getting worse and worse and it is taking longer and longer for cuts to heal now.

Honestly, to him it is more emotionally defeating than anything. If his feet are cut, he cant go swimming, and since it takes weeks to heal the cuts he is so upset. :help:

[garry]

as u are saying that blood supply is suffering, it can prove dangerous in the form of gangrene. please advice him to stop hurting his foot until it gets healed. maybe it takes months to heal pressure sore. but its worth saving a foot. its a lifelong decision. dont be silly.

[angel]

I don't know much about pressure soars I only had one when i was little and didn't know what it was then and it healed on it's own. I have a friend who has SB she has fought with a pressure soar on her foot for the last 2 years and has spent months in the hospital and is just now finally getting to the finish line on this.
I was always made to wear shoes. I am the worlds worst about hurting my feet and like your son I don't feel a thing and don't notice it until there is blood everywhere. I wonder if in the pool he could wear something like some hightop converse tennis shoes. They may offer more protection and since they are cloth and high top that might help, plus chucks are really cool shoes! Just an idea.

Angel

[Gymp]

Hi Barb,I've had a spot on my left foot,the underside below the little toe (ball of the foot) where it has split open many many times in my life.It heals up for a while and then comes back.It usually splits open in the fall months when the air gets dryer.There have been times when it has opened up so much you can see the bone.It's been infected a few times as well.As I said it comes and goes and it's something that I've learned to live with.When it's split I keep it clean with a regular soak with epsom salts and if an infection happens I go to the MD and get an antibiotic for it.The Doc once said while I was in my mid 20's "You've got feet like a 70 year old man."I don't have all my feeling down there so I've learned to inspect my feet at least once a week,I do this while I take care of my calluses.

Gymp

[Barb]

as u are saying that blood supply is suffering, it can prove dangerous in the form of gangrene. please advice him to stop hurting his foot until it gets healed. maybe it takes months to heal pressure sore. but its worth saving a foot. its a lifelong decision. dont be silly.

I am going to hope this is a language barrier here. The reason I am asking is because we do take it very seriously!

[Barb]

Hi Barb,I've had a spot on my left foot,the underside below the little toe (ball of the foot) where it has split open many many times in my life.It heals up for a while and then comes back.It usually splits open in the fall months when the air gets dryer.There have been times when it has opened up so much you can see the bone.It's been infected a few times as well.As I said it comes and goes and it's something that I've learned to live with.When it's split I keep it clean with a regular soak with epsom salts and if an infection happens I go to the MD and get an antibiotic for it.The Doc once said while I was in my mid 20's "You've got feet like a 70 year old man."I don't have all my feeling down there so I've learned to inspect my feet at least once a week,I do this while I take care of my calluses.

Gymp

Same exact place and cut so the bone is exposed.

Thanks for all the advice everyone. It is just so frustrating. A friend told me about some diabetic shoes that Crocs makes. I am off to google those. Angel, we used to use surfer shoes for the pool and they worked GREAT! Since we moved to Colorado though not much access to a surf shop. I will google those as well.

[angel]

the good thing is you can buy them at payless or wal mart. Converse is a brand name and you see kids wearing them all the time. They come in a variety of colors and are available almost anywhere. they are canvas but they are hard to tear! The ones all the kids are wearing are called chuck taylors, most just call them chucks. They should be really easy to find! The toes are leather or plastic so they add protection.

Angel

[bcain]

Barb, I think the cuts you describe, are not cuts from injury if they are indeed under the toes like Gymp mentions. These cracks in the skin are due to moisture. The skin breaks down and just splits open. It won't matter how much over protection you use, it'll still happen. Airing the toes out is the best thing. Use an antibiotic ointment to help healing and prevent infection. No socks at night. And when ever safe to have them off. Dry thouroughly every time they get wet. My dd gets the same cracks under her toes, and occasionally one on the ball of the foot below the great toe ( wierd cause it's not moist there!) Her cracks get very deep too, but don't bleed. Thank goodness! I check under her toes every morning and night. I am so grateful the crack hasn't gone deep to expose the bone, I'd be so shocked! I'm glad I read it here, so I'll not freak out and go to the ER. Gymp told me about airing the toes out and drying real well, and it has helped, but still remains a challange. One crack heals and another will appear under a different toe.:arrgh:

[garry]

sorry barb, i hurt u uninentionally. certainly , the language barrier is there. me from a different country, sometimes get entangled in controversial language. The word "silly" was not for u, i used it to address ur child. i used it in a way that when u care somebody younger, u sometimes use possessive vocab to make him understand ur concern.

[nolda]

Keeping the toes dry and airy truly do help . My daughter Michelle often gets such cracks.

[Gymp]

occasionally one on the ball of the foot below the great toe ( wierd cause it's not moist there!)

They'll split open just as easy from being too dry as well,is dd developing calluses there or a thickish type skin?

Gymp

[Barb]

sorry barb, i hurt u uninentionally. certainly , the language barrier is there. me from a different country, sometimes get entangled in controversial language. The word "silly" was not for u, i used it to address ur child. i used it in a way that when u care somebody younger, u sometimes use possessive vocab to make him understand ur concern.

I understand :)

[starre]

I use ouch pouches inside my socks because I seem to always misjudge distances and crutch myself into walls and such. They are shock absorbing gel covered in fabric, you can get them in ballet stores or ebay. They would make the moisture issue worse though, since all the dancers I know complain of sweaty feet.

[bcain]

Gymp,

no thickened skin or callouses yet. Still soft chubby baby feet. Sweaty baby feet,...but still kissable.

[Dodger67]

I also have soft pink baby feet but they absolutely never sweat.
My main foot issue is dry skin and brittle flaky toenails.
My toes occasionally get bashed when I get out of the shower - wet skin is more fragile than dry.
A simple superficial cut can take up to 3 weeks to heal - a similar cut on my hands would be gone within a week.

[Barb]

Can you all believe he broke his foot open again last week. Third time in 6 months it has required stitches! Broke his little toe in this one too. He was just getting out of bed for heavens sake!

[Lifeisgood]

Hi Barb,
Geez! I am so sorry to hear that. How crazy! Poor kid! Have you tried seeing someone who specializes in Vascular or Dermatology? Do the doctors have any ideas as to why it is happening? I am so sorry!

[kali]

hi barb...I just saw this now....and I relate to it all. My son has a huge hole on his ankle, a pressure sore from his braces, becasue he put them on wrong one day, and I didnt notice. now I noticed his little toe looks broken as if its out of the socket. and it so scary to look at. The doctor said there isnt much to be done but taping it into place. What did you do for your son when he broke his baby toe? thanks

[Dodger67]

Just tape it to the next toe for a week or so. Take care that the tape is not too tight.

[kali]

thanks dodger!!!!!