Cracked heels or heel fissures are a common cosmetic problem that can cause a few minor problems but can lead to more serious medical issues. Heel fissures are caused by the outer skin layer of the heel becoming hard, flaky, and dry. Sometimes, this can cause deep fissures which can be painful or even bleed.
What Causes Heel Fissures?
Although anyone can get heel fissures, risk factors include being overweight, living in dry areas, walking barefoot all day, wearing sandals, open-backed shoes, and having inactive sweat glands. Untreated cracked heels can lead to infection or become deeper than normal. This is particularly dangerous for those with diabetes and compromised immune systems.
Treatments
Regular foot care can prevent heel fissures. To reduce the thickness and flaky skin layer, you can use a pumice rock daily. Avoid wearing sandals, open-backed shoes, or shoes with thin soles. Shoes that are shock-absorbing can be beneficial. It is important to moisturize your feet at least twice daily and wear socks while you sleep.
If the problem persists see your foot specialist.
What happens?
The condition begins with dry, scaly, and reddening skin at the feet. This condition is common and can be easily treated with a moisturizer. Sometimes, however, the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin), cracks and the moisture barrier breaks, leading to deep fissures. This can happen to people with dry skin, who live in dry climates, or those with other medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, venous stasis, or cancer.
What should you do?
Prevention is the best way to treat heel fissures. Many times, patients don’t recognize the problem until it is too late. Don’t worry! Our foot specialists can help restore your feet to their original health. To prevent infection, you may need to use anti-bacterial medication. You can remove any unwanted callus from fissured skin by using a mild exfoliator or pumice rock. A moisturizer should also be used twice daily.
You can cover your feet with petroleum jelly until you have cured your skin. Then, you can slip on cotton socks to keep your skin moist while you sleep.
After the fissures are closed, you should continue your moisturizing routine. Apply cream or lotion once a day to your heels and feet. This will help prevent fissures from returning.
Conclusion
You can treat cracked heels quickly at home using moisturizers or products that thin the skin. A moisturizer should be applied to the feet daily to prevent cracks.
If cracked heels are associated with a medical condition, it is best to not attempt to treat them at home instead contact your foot specialist.