What are Dry and Cracked Heels?

Dry, cracked heels are one of the symptoms of dry skin and it is very common to find it located on the heels, as they take strain and wear each day.  The condition isn’t serious, but it is uncomfortable and if left unattended can become increasingly painful and if the cracking bleeds, it can lead to infection.

Symptoms of Dry and Cracked Heels :

If you have dry heels you will visibly see ‘cracks’ around your heel.  This is where the skin has hardened and then cracked because there is no moisture in the skin to keep it soft and healthy.

It may appear as red, flaky patches, lines or ‘cracks’ or the skin may peel away leaving sore red areas. The affected area can also become very itchy.

Causes of Dry and Cracked Heels :

As it is a common condition there are a few causes:

• Age
• Ill fitting footwear that rubs
• Diabetes
• Skin conditions
• Heat that saps the moisture from the feet
• Consistent barefoot walking on rough surfaces

Relief and Prevention of Dry and Cracked Heels :

The best way to treat dry and cracked heels is to moisturise them using a therapeutic ointment – this is one without alcohol in it (as that will aggravate the condition). There are a lot on the market that will help you.

Additionally, you can use the following methods if they are suitable to the severity of your condition:

• Pumice stone or a file can be used to remove the hard skin and then ointment can be used to condition the area while it is exposed.
• There are a lot of foot care creams on the market that can be used daily to prevent the onset of dry skin.
• Make sure you’re wearing footwear that doesn’t rub or put increased amounts of pressure on the heel area. There are lots of footwear brands  that have been specifically designed to increase the health and wellness of the feet – there are some that have been designed purely to not put any pressure on the feet at all.
• All footwear should allow your feet enough room to move – make sure they have a wide toe box and adequate support to the metatarsal, arch and heel area.

The more you can moisturise your feet the better – getting balm in between the toes and into the cracks will help to combat the problem. If the cracks begin to bleed then you must make sure they are kept clean – if the problem persists then you should consult your GP.