Cracked heels are a common problem that can often be treated at home with a little TLC (tender loving care).
Common causes include dry cold skin, standing for long periods of time, aging skin, wearing open-back footwear, and some medical conditions such as obesity and eczema.
Hard, dry, thickening skin is often the first sign that your heels need some attention. If you get in early and show some love, the problem usually goes away. However, if left untreated, cracked heels can sometimes lead to serious problems.
Here are some tips to help heal your cracked heels:
1. Moisturise
Moisturise your feet 2 to 3 times a day. Use a good moisturiser that soaks in really well. Use a circular massaging motion when rubbing the moisturiser in to help soften your skin.
2. Soak your feet
Before going to bed, soak your feet in a bowl of plain or mild soapy water for about 10 minutes. Gently rub your heels with a foot scrubber or loofah to remove the dead skin (don’t use anything sharp to scrape away the dead skin as you may cut yourself). Pat your feet dry and apply moisturiser.
3. Wear cotton socks to bed
Wearing a pair of thin 100% cotton socks to bed after applying moisturiser helps keep the moisture in while allowing the skin to breathe. Socks also prevent the sheets from getting stained.
4. Know when to seek help
Cracked heels can get worse and develop into deeper fissures, which can become infected. If your self-care measures aren’t working or your cracked heels are getting worse or causing pain, please visit your healthcare provider for advice. People with diabetes have an increased chance of developing foot problems and need to take extra care to look after their feet – see our page on foot care with diabetes.
References
With summer quickly drawing near, you�re likely getting ready to expose your toes in a fashionable flip-flop or summer sandal set. However, while your toes may be ready, the rest of your foot may be in rough shape, such as your heels.
The skin on the heel of the foot is susceptible to fissures (cracks)�a common condition that can be uncomfortable or painful, as well as unsightly. That�s because, in addition to the cracks in the skin, the skin can thicken and brown or yellow calluses can form around the heels. Cracked heels happen when the fat pad located under the heel expands while walking. They can also be caused by:
- Cold temperatures or low humidity, resulting in the skin drying out
- Standing for long periods
- Taking long and hot showers
- Walking around barefoot
- Wearing shoes that don�t fit properly
In addition to everyday wear-and-tear or poor skin care, patients with the following conditions may suffer from cracked heels:
- Aging
- Atopic dermatitis
- Diabetes
- Fungal infection
- Hypothyroidism
- Juvenile plantar dermatosis
- Obesity
- Palmoplantar keratoderma
- Pregnancy
- Psoriasis
- Vitamin deficiency
In most cases, cracked heels are merely unsightly, but left unattended they can result in bleeding or can become infected. So, for the look and health of your foot, here are six ways to fix your cracked heels in the comfort of your own home:
1. Get handy with an emollient or a humectant moisturizer.
There are two kinds of moisturizers (e.g., topical creams and lotions) that can help treat crack heels:
- Emollients�which are designed to soften and smooth skin�help reduce water loss in the skin.
- Humectants help avoid water loss by penetrating the outer layer of the skin and attract moisture in the air. They also aid in increasing the skin�s water capacity. However, in the case of dry conditions they draw water from the skin�s lower layers�instead of the air�resulting in the skin becoming more dehydrated overall. In these situations, placing an occlusive moisturizer on top can help.
2. Seal the deal with an occlusive moisturizer.
Once you�ve applied one of the aforementioned topical treatments, keep the moisture sealed in with a thick layer of occlusive moisturizer. These coat the skin with a thin film and keep the moisture from evaporating from the outermost skin layer.
Occlusive moisturizers include:
- Lanolin, a wax secreted from the sebaceous glands of wool-bearing animals
- Mineral oil
- Petroleum jelly (most effective)
- Silicones (e.g., dimethicone)
3. Pummel thickened skin with a pumice stone.
The use of a pumice stone�after moisturizing�can help reduce the thickened skin that cracks love. However, those with diabetes or neuropathy should avoid using pumice stones and trust their skin care to a dermatologist or podiatrist instead.
4. Keep skin thin with keratolytic therapy.
Keratolytics are chemical agents that thin out thickened skin and loosen the outer layer of skin (epidermis). They also aid in the removal of dead skin cells.
Keratolytics include:
- Alpha hydroxyl acids (e.g., lactic acid)
- Salicylic acid
- Urea
Ideally, you should choose a product that contains both a keratolytic and a humectant, such as urea, that removes the thickened dry skin and moisturizes at the same time.
5. Cover up with liquid bandage.
Gel, liquid or spray-on bandages may be used to cover the cracks to provide a protective layer, reduce pain and reduce the risk of infection by keeping germs and dirt out of the cracks. They can also aid in speeding up the healing process.
6. Keep cozy with cotton socks.
As part of your routine to treat and prevent cracked heels, apply petroleum jelly to feet and put on 100 percent cotton socks before going to bed. This can help to:
- Keep the sheets from being ruined by the jelly
- Let the heel skin breathe
- Seal moisture into the skin
Of course, if home remedies fail to treat the issue, visit a specialist to have your cracked heels treated in time for summer sun and fun.
For more information on foot fungus treatment or to schedule an appointment with our specialists,�contact Essex Union Podiatry�today.
Christian Adams
Sandal season is here, and due to COVID-19 restrictions, getting a pedicure hasn’t been a top priority. Maybe you usually plan a pre-summer pedicure to prep your dry winter feet for open sandals and walks in the sand. This year that might not have been an option. It’s time to take those dry, cracked feet into your own hands, and it’s probably about time to learn how to care for them yourself. (P.S. It's not that hard.) Plus, it's good to do a bit of investigative work into what exactly is causing your dry, cracked heels
Because there are a handful of different causes, it might take some time to figure out exactly what is leading your the condition of your feet. Your dry, cracked feet can be caused by eczema, which is typically genetic and is most common on hands and feet, says Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd, board-certified dermatologist. She also says that age can play into it because "as people get older the skin tends to get drier and produces less natural oils."
Other causes of dry, cracked heels include "diabetes, eczema, hypothyroidism, Sjögren's syndrome, juvenile plantar dermatosis, infections such as athlete's foot, biomechanical factors such as flat feet, heel spurs, or standing for long periods of time, particularly on hard flooring, and open-healed or poorly fitting shoes, as well as dry, cold weather," says Dr. Miguel Cunha, board-certified surgical podiatrist and founder of Gotham Footcare.
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To combat your cracked heels, follow these four easy steps to put a fresh spring in your step (hehe). And keep your feet supple all summer long.
Step 1: Soak + Exfoliate
Once a week, set aside a little time after you shower to treat your feet. The key is to soften your calloused, dry feet in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. If you’re feeling fancy, put in a few drops of your favorite essential oil or use a pre-packaged foot soak like Dr. Teal’s Pure Epsom Salt that has peppermint essential oil, baking soda, aloe and coconut oil in it to repair and refresh. Soaking your feet will hydrate your calloused skin and make it easier for a pumice stone or foot file to do its job.
Afterwards, physically exfoliate and slough off dead skin with a pumice stone or a foot file.
Step 2: Moisturize On The Reg
For hardened heels, it’s crucial to use a moisturizer daily. “Look for one with urea or lactic acid on the ingredient label as these will exfoliate as well as hydrate,” explains Emily Splichal, DPM, a functional podiatrist and human movement specialist.
Dr. Cunha recommends softening the feet with Bare 40 Moisturizing Urea Gel. "I inform my patients to apply this gel evenly throughout both feet at night, wrap their feet with saran wrap, and wear socks to bed."
Arm & Hammer’s Heels & Feet Moisturizer Plus Gentle Exfoliators is a great multitasker since it’s formulated with baking soda, alpha hydroxy acid (like citric, glycolic, and lactic) exfoliators, and coconut oil. Plus, it has a no-touch massaging brush so you can apply it mess-free.
You can also look to your pantry for a DIY solution. “You can put any oils — olive oil or coconut oil — on the heel but wait to do this until after you soak as oils acts as a sealant to moisture,” Dr. Splichal furthers. She also suggests sealing it into skin with saran wrap to lock in moisture (or you can always opt for moisturizing socks like these with built-in aloe).
Dr. Cunha suggests using Eucerin cream to seal in moisture.
Step 3: Choose The Right Footwear
If you’re constantly dealing with cracked skin, it may be time to reevaluate your shoe collection as certain pairs can aggravate heels—“especially tighter ones that are restrictive of movement like boots or pairs that have a stiff heel counter (the little plastic insert that’s used to reinforce the heel cup and increase support),” notes Dr. Splichal. Her favorite sole soothers? Shoes with softer fabrics that don’t have a heel counter such as All Birds or Coach loafers.
Step 4: Make Foot Care Part Of Your Routine
Just like your skincare routine, it’s equally important to continue to give your feet some TLC—even after you’ve healed them. “The best treatment for cracked heels is avoiding it in the first place which means daily moisturizing and weekly exfoliating—this is important in both cold and warm weather,” advises Dr. Splichal, which in all honesty, is pretty easy advice for anyone looking to put their best foot forward.
Other products to try at home to ensure your feet stay soft all season:
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If you're a fan of the cult-favorite Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream, you might want to incorporate another one of their products into your self care. This foot cream and "surfboard" foot file will have you ready for your next beach vacation. -
This product went viral for the how effective it is at getting alllll of that dead skin off your feet. You may have seen a TikTok or Insta video about it. Get ready to watch your feet shed like a snake! -
For a full regimen skincare routine, look no further than Roots & Blooms trio set that features Multi-Acid Exfoliating Treatment Pads, BHA Resurfacing Toner Pads, Ultra Hydration Oil and natural volcanic pumice stone. The reviews of this set speak for themselves: "May I say--OMG! What a difference this regimen has made in my foot care. My feet are sooo soft and smooth now and it took very little effort."
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