How To Get Rid Of Hard Cracked Heels
Leeroy Grier
Cracked heels may be unsightly, but they usually don't cause serious issues. Occasionally, severely cracked heels can get infected and lead to a skin infection called cellulitis. Heel fissures, or cracked heels, happen when the skin on the bottom of your heel becomes hard and dry. No matter what the cause of your cracked heels, there are steps you can take to treat them. There are also ways to keep your heels from cracking in the first place.
When the skin around your heels becomes dry and thick, it can be the start of cracked heels. Extra pressure on the fat pad of your heels can cause dry, thick skin to form cracks, or heel fissures. While anyone can develop heel fissures, some things make them more likely, including:
Most cases of cracked heels can be treated at home by soaking your feet, then moisturizing them at least twice a day. Choose thick creams that have skin softeners in them. You can repair cracked heels using these steps:
Shoe inserts. Insoles in your shoes may provide better support by redistributing the weight on your heel. This can prevent the fat pad from expanding sideways and cracking your heels.
Cracked heels, also known as fissures, can be a nuisance but can occasionally lead to more serious problems if left untreated. Treat them by giving your feet a little more attention, beginning with moisturizing them at least twice a day. Look for thick moisturizers (Eucerin, Cetaphil, others). Some moisturizers contain skin-softening agents, such as urea, salicylic acid or alpha hydroxy acid, which may help remove dead skin. They may cause slight stinging or irritation.
Give your heels extra attention before going to bed: Soak your feet for about 10 minutes in plain or soapy water and pat dry. Then gently rub your heels with a loofah or foot scrubber to help remove dead skin. Apply a heavier, oil-based cream or petroleum jelly (Vaseline, Aquaphor Healing Ointment, others), then slip on a pair of thin cotton socks at bedtime to help the moisturizer work.
Don't ignore dry, cracked heels, as over time you may develop deeper fissures, which increases your risk of infection. If self-care measures don't help, talk with your doctor about other treatment options.
Over time, the cracks will become deeper and they may begin to bleed. In severe cases, the cracks can lead to infection and if you are adiabetic, cracked heels can lead to diabetic foot ulcerations.
If your condition is minor, start by moisturising your heels 2-3 times per day to help relieve your symptoms. You can use a pumice stoneprior to moisturising, to remove any hard, dead skin that may prevent the moisturiser from sinking in effectively.
If simply moisturising your feet daily is not fixing your cracked heels, then a podiatrist can help by removing the hard, thick skinthrough mechanical debridement of the area. They will then be able to assess the problem and provide a personalised treatment plan tofix it, while also advising of preventative measures that will help to reduce your chances of recurrence.
Dry and hard skin also known as calluses form on the bony prominences of the feet, they are often slightly yellow in colour. Calluses are most commonly found on the tops of toes, the balls of the feet and the heels; calluses are the result of excessive pressure and friction to the skin.
Cracking of the skin on the heels of the feet is usually caused by a combination excessive drying out of the skin and the wearing of shoes that subject the skin to extra tension and movement. Backless footwear like mules and flip flops are often linked to this problem.
What treatment should I book if I have problems with Hard, Callused Skin and Cracked Heels?Our routine podiatry treatment is the perfect appointment for individuals suffering from problems with hard skin, calluses, and cracked heels.
Moisturize within 5 minutes of bathing. Look for a moisturizing cream that contains 10-25% urea, alpha hydroxy acid, or salicylic acid, and apply it to your heels immediately after bathing while your skin is still damp and whenever your heels feel dry to lock in moisture.
Protect your heels. During the day, apply a liquid bandage over the cracks in your heels to create a protective barrier, which can help reduce pain, speed up healing, and stop germs from entering your skin.
Sometimes, cracked heels are caused by a medical condition, such as diabetes. If your dry, cracked heels are severe or do not improve after following these tips, talk to a board-certified dermatologist.
The first sign of getting cracked heel is the development of dry, hard, thickened skin around the rim of the heel. This is called a callus and may be a yellow or dark brown discoloured area of skin. Initially, small cracks over the callus are visible. If left untreated and as more pressure is placed on the heel, these cracks become deeper and eventually walking and standing will be painful. The cracks may be so deep that they begin to bleed.
The best form of treatment for cracked heel is to prevent cracks from occurring in the first place. This can be achieved by simply rubbing the heels with a moisturising cream on a regular basis to keep the skin supple and hydrated. Special heel balms are available that contain descaling (keratolytic) or water-retaining (humectant) agents, such as:
Objectives: This study compared the effectiveness of soft vs hard orthotics in treating heel pain and plantar fasciitis in adults. It also compared the level of function after orthotic use, cost, and number of visits for orthotics and explored whether age was a factor in orthotic effectiveness.
Design: Randomized controlled trial. Before randomization, patients were stratified by age (younger vs older adults) in blocks of 4 to ensure that there were an equal number of participants in each group (soft vs hard orthotics).
There are several reasons why people may experience dry, cracked heels. Our feet are responsible for holding up our body and therefore they withstand a tremendous amount of pressure. When weight and pressure are applied to the heels of our feet, the skin expands outwards. If our skin is dry, it becomes less elastic and rigid and therefore more prone to fissures and cracking. The most common causes of dry, cracked heels includes the following: medical conditions such as obesity, 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.
Many people assume if they suffer from dry or cracked heels, they simply need to grab a bottle of lotion when the most common reason is actually an Athlete's Foot infection. Most people don't have the medical conditions or risk factors noted above. Athlete's Foot is a fungal infection of the foot that develops commonly on the soles of the feet and in between the toes. Athlete's Foot usually produces itchy, dry, scaling skin. In more severe cases, inflammation, cracks, and blisters may form. Athletes commonly suffer from sweaty feet and use the facilities where the fungus is found, thus the term "athlete's foot."
When most of the above risk factors are ruled out, cracked heels are most likely the result of a fungal infection. If left untreated, it could move to the nails resulting in fungal nail and discoloration. In its early stages, cases of Athlete's Foot can be treated with over-the-counter medicated powders, creams, sprays, or lotions that are specifically formulated to fight the athlete's foot fungus. In moderate cases, a prescription topical medication may be required. In more severe cases, your doctor may prescribe an oral anti-fungal medication.
In regards to the time of year, most people will have Athlete's Foot or cracked heels in the winter because they wear thicker shoes and boots that air out less and may be exposed to more moisture from rain or snow. These infections are still common during the hotter months people go to pools and gyms more and often times walk barefoot in these locations.
The first step is using a hard, abrasive remover to get rid of the dead skin. Pumice stones are a classic solution to rough, dry skin. You can also buy specialty tools that use a similarly rough, hard surface to peel away the dead skin.
One of the best ways to get softer, smoother skin is to give your heels a full night of indulgent care. You need a pair of form-fitting socks and a thick, heavy moisturizer. Petroleum jelly and body butter are good choices for this.
Sparrow Clinton Hospital Foundation Chairperson Kerry Sheen-Stock (left) and SCH Caregiver Cortney VanEtten plan to kick up their high heels at the hospital's March 29 Hard Hats & High Heels fundraiser.
Sparrow Clinton Hospital wants you to kick up your heels, or work boots, in celebration of the powerful community support that has driven construction of its new Emergency Services Department in St. Johns.
Dehydrated skin is one of the biggest causes of cracked skin. Once moisture is lost, the heel starts to produce thick areas of rough skin as a form of protection. As a result, the skin is prevented from healing sufficiently. At the beginning, cracked skin may only feel like a visual issue, but over time it can cause pain when you walk if left untreated. In more advanced stages cracked heels can feel itchy, painful and also begin to bleed from pressure.2
Lack of moisture
This is the most common cause of cracked heels. The skin around your heels has a relatively small number of sweat glands and a lack of elasticity, so it can often become dry, rough and chapped.
Obesity
Being overweight can increase the pressure on the fat pad under the heel. This can cause it to expand sideways and, if the skin lacks flexibility, put pressure on the feet. This leads to cracked heels.