Cracked heels are a common foot problem. One survey found that 20 percent of adults in the United States experience cracked skin on their feet. This can occur in both adults and children, and seems to affect women more often than men.
For most people, having cracked heels isn’t serious. It may cause discomfort when going barefoot.
In some cases, cracks in the heels can become very deep and cause pain.
Read on to learn about the best home remedies for treating and preventing cracked heels.
What Causes Cracked Feet
The first sign of cracked heels is having areas of dry, thickened skin, known as callouses, around the rim of your heel.
As you walk, the fat pad under your heel expands. This causes your callouses to crack.
Other factors that can cause cracked heels include:
standing for long hours
walking around barefoot, or with open-back sandals
taking long, hot showers
using harsh soaps that can strip your skin of natural oils
shoes that don’t fit properly or support your heels
dry skin due to climate, such as cold temperatures or low humidity
If you don’t moisturize your feet regularly, they may dry out even faster.
Medical causes
High blood sugar and poor circulation resulting from diabetes are common causes for dry skin.
Nerve damage may prevent you from knowing your feet are dry, cracked, and painful.
Other conditions that may lead to dry skin and cracked heels include:
vitamin deficiency
fungal infection
hypothyroidism
atopic dermatitis
juvenile plantar dermatosis
psoriasis
palmoplantar keratoderma, causes abnormal skin thickening on the soles and palms
obesity
pregnancy
aging
In addition to having cracked heels, you may experience:
flaky skin
itching
pain, possibly severe bleeding, red, inflamed skin
ulceration
In severe cases, you may develop complications with a cracked heel, especially if it’s caused by a medical condition.
Complications can include:
a loss of feeling in your heel cellulitis, an infectiondiabetic foot ulcer
Symptoms of infection include pain, warmth, redness, and swelling.
Call your doctor right away if you think you have an infection.
Your footwear matters.
If you’re prone to cracked heels, try to find shoes that fit properly and support your heels. Whenever possible, wear shoes with a sturdy, wide heel that supports and cushions your heels.
Avoid
flip-flops and sandals, which can increase the risk of your feet drying out open-back shoes, which generally don’t provide enough heel support shoes with a tall, skinny heel, which can cause your heel to expand sideways.
See: some affordable products to help fight cracked feet and keep your feet moisturized
See: some affordable products to help fight cracked feet and keep your feet moisturized
shoes that are too tight
Other ways to prevent cracked heels:
Avoid standing in one position or sitting with your legs crossed for too long.
Slather on thick foot cream at night and then cover your feet with socks to lock in moisture.
Inspect your feet daily, especially if you have diabetes or another condition that causes dry skin.
Wear custom shoe inserts (orthotics) to cushion your heel and even out weight distribution.
Wear good quality or clinically-tested padded socks .
Use silicon heel cups to keep the heel moisturized and help prevent the heel pad from expanding.
Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
Use a pumice stone after showering a few times a week to help prevent thickening skin.
But avoid removing calluses yourself if you have diabetes or neuropathy.
You may inadvertently create a wound and increase your risk of infection.
In many cases, cracked heels aren’t cause for concern.
You may be able to relieve the condition with over-the-counter or home remedies.
See a doctor if you have a severe case of cracked heels, or an underlying medical conditions such as diabetes.
It’s important to see a doctor to prevent potentially serious complications.
Although your skin may show signs of improvement after initial treatment, it may take several days or weeks for the cracks to heal.
During and after this time, wear shoes that fit properly and practice proper foot care to help prevent new heel cracks.
See Also: Home Remedies For Cracked Feet
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