ABSTRACT
It is the abundance of the sweat glands that keeps the plantar skin moist. Sweat glands are controlled by the autonomic nervous system. In DM with autonomic neuropathy, sweating is diminished due to dysfunction of eccrine glands as a result of sympathetic denervation, causing dry skin. Such dry plantar skin (xerosis) can get cracked easily. These cracks are often wide and deep. These are commonly seen in sulci of toes, on the f oref oot, and on borders of the heel (Fig. 15.1 to 15.3). Some such cracks and fissures breach the whole skin depth paving way for microorganisms, a threatening forerunner to a deep plantar abscess.
