Feet splitting =/

[Tryak]

Did anyone else have any trouble with their feet splitting when they started doing Martial Arts? We don't even really do a lot of bag drills mostly just no contact sparring/forms, but my feet have both split right between the ball of the foot and my ring/pinky toes. Its the only thing I can think of. I have no changed my shoes, changed my job/exercise, changed my socks or detergent and my feet are not dry. It really hurts and a bandaid wont stay on it because of the location. I've just been gobbing polysporin on it and putting gauze between my foot/sock when I wear shoes. Anyone know what it's from, how to stop it or a better way to heal it?

[jks9199]

Did anyone else have any trouble with their feet splitting when they started doing Martial Arts? We don't even really do a lot of bag drills mostly just no contact sparring/forms, but my feet have both split right between the ball of the foot and my ring/pinky toes. Its the only thing I can think of. I have no changed my shoes, changed my job/exercise, changed my socks or detergent and my feet are not dry. It really hurts and a bandaid wont stay on it because of the location. I've just been gobbing polysporin on it and putting gauze between my foot/sock when I wear shoes. Anyone know what it's from, how to stop it or a better way to heal it?
You might be looking at something like athlete's foot. Otherwise, you might try moisturizing your feet each day, before you put your feet on. I tend towards very dry feet (mild to severe exzema) and have to do this, especially in the winter.

[FearlessFreep]

In really bad cases, I put Bag Balm on my feet and then socks (because the stuff is *messy*) before going to bed to keep my feet moisturized.


My instructor wears shoes, but that's when he's not doing a lot of kicking (shoes protect his feet he says but the socks tend to bunch up)

[jim777]

Lamisil AT will fix that right up :D Fantastic stuff, and worth twice the price.

[Kacey]

If you're not accustomed to being barefoot, then you could be abrading the soles of your feet; when I first started TKD I would get calluses built up on my feet, and then walk them off - but over time my soles have toughened, and I stopped having problems with it.

For the long term, I agree - moisturize your feet at night; it will help the cracks to heal - and Bag Balm is great stuff! I've never tried Lamisil AT, so I can't say anything about it either way.

For the short term - fabric bandaids are the only ones that have a fighting chance (so to speak) of staying on - if you need the pad of the bandaid then put the bandaid on and then use first-aid tape to hold them on; otherwise, just use the tape itself. First-aid tape is available near the bandaids in most stores - again, the fabric tape stays on best, and also breathes better. Be careful, as tape will change how your feet both slide and cling to the floor.

[K31]

If this is a fungus, moisture is not your friend. Keep your feet dry and wear sandals or open-toed footwear whenever possible. Dry your feet with your hairdryer after you shower. Wear cotton socks when you must wear shoes and don't wear the same pair two days in a row in order to allow the other pair to dry out.

[Tryak]

Hmm I will try taping the bandaids on. For some reason that hadn't occurred to me even though I keep a big roll of tape in my bag to hold down a cartilage piercing.