Dry, cracked heels can be caused by various factors such as dry skin, open shoes, foot pressure, and medical conditions like psoriasis and diabetes. Treatment includes moisturizing and proper footwear, and medical advice should be sought before attempting to cut away hardened skin.
Dry cracked heels, also called heel cracks, have many causes. The main sign of this problem is hard skin on the heel area that has noticeable cracks and the skin color may be darkened or yellowed. Scaly or peeling skin may also be present, and pain or itching is common. Causes include psoriasis, eczema, athlete’s foot, diabetic neuropathy, air conditioning, open shoes, foot pressure, and dry skin.
Dry skin, or xerosis, is the most common cause of cracked heels. Some people have naturally dry skin, and if it isn’t moisturized to make it soft and supple, it becomes hard, tough, and cracks easily. The pressure created by standing only adds to the problem, especially if a person is overweight or spends a lot of time standing on hard floors.
Open toe shoes can cause heel problems because the heel of the foot can move and spread. Additionally, if the foot is bare, the heel is exposed to drying environments such as those created by air conditioning systems. Excessive heat in the home can also lead to drier skin and cracked heels.
Several medical conditions have also identified causes. Diabetic neuropathy, or nerve damage, is a complication of diabetes that can cause cracked heels if the nerves that control the sweat glands are affected. Feet don’t sweat, so the skin becomes dry and hard. The fungus known as athlete’s foot can also dry out the foot and cause heel cracks or cracks. Chronic skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis can also cause this problem.
Dry heels need to be treated as they may bleed or become infected if the cracking is severe. It’s never a good idea to try to cut away hardened skin on the heel without a doctor’s advice as this could cause further injury and increase the chance of infection. It is usually recommended to use a pumice stone on the heels and apply a moisturizing lotion to the area several times a day. Proper footwear with thick, supportive soles and a good fit that holds the heel in place can help reduce the problem. A foot specialist, or podiatrist, may suggest adding a heel cup device to the patient’s shoes.
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