Dry and Cracked Heels
This article does not constitute as medical advice.
If you are experiencing symptoms of cracked heels, contact your doctor or make an appointment.
What are Cracked Heels?
Dry, cracked heels are a very common problem that can easily worsen from lack of treatment. Sometimes cracks can go too deep and cause discomfort. In some cases, dry heels are an indication of other underlying problems like poor blood circulation or nerve damage.
Causes of Dry & Cracked Feet
- Open-back shoes or sandals
- Going barefoot too often
- Poorly moisturized feet
- Using harsh soaps that strip away natural oils
- Standing for long periods of time
- Being overweight
- Dry skin due to living in a low-humidity climate
- Other infections such as Athlete’s Foot or Eczema
Symptoms of Dry, Cracked Heels
- Very dry and itchy feet
- The skin on heels starts peeling in vertical ‘flakes’
- Heels that have cracks or fissures
- Cracks or fissures that are painful to walk on
- Bleeding from the cracks on a heel
Treating Dry, Cracked Feet
- Regularly soak your feet with warm soapy water for at least 20 minutes. Follow by exfoliating with a pumice stone. Finally, moisturize the heels with foot cream
- Use special creams or heel balm formulated to prevent cracks on heels.
- Try home remedies such as oatmeal masks or avocado banana masks
- Call our office if the problem persists and ask for recommendations on specialized foot creams!
