Dante Carrillo
Cracked heels, also known as heel fissures, are a common foot condition that occurs when the skin on the bottom of the heel becomes dry, hard, and flaky. While the condition is usually not serious, deep cracks can cause pain and bleeding and may lead to infections such as cellulitis. Several factors contribute to the development of cracked heels, including prolonged standing, wearing unsupportive footwear, and walking barefoot. In addition, certain medical conditions, such as Sjögren's disease, palmoplantar keratoderma, and hypothyroidism, can also cause dry and cracked heels. Furthermore, inadequate nutrition and vitamin deficiencies, such as a lack of vitamin E, can play a role in the development of cracked heels. Treatment options include daily moisturization with thick creams or heel balms, mechanical debridement by a podiatrist, and the use of liquid bandages or medicated creams for more severe cases.
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What You'll Learn
Dry skin and vitamin deficiencies
Dry skin is a common condition that can affect people of all ages. For some, it is an occasional annoyance, while for others, it can be a chronic condition that requires careful management.
Several factors contribute to dry skin. Firstly, age plays a significant role. As individuals get older, their skin tends to become drier due to decreased sebum production by the body's oil and sweat glands. This decline in sebum production often becomes noticeable around the age of 40. Additionally, certain medications, such as statins and diuretics, can lead to excessively dry skin as a potential side effect. Environmental factors, such as living in a cold and dry place, can also contribute to skin dryness.
Underlying medical conditions can also cause dry skin. For instance, individuals undergoing dialysis, cancer treatment, or experiencing conditions like anorexia, HIV, or kidney disease, may develop extremely dry skin.
Vitamin deficiencies can further play a role in dry skin. Deficiencies in vitamins A, C, D, E, and B, as well as minerals like zinc, iron, and niacin, have been linked to dry skin. Omega-3 fatty acid deficiency is associated with eczema, a condition characterised by red, itchy skin.
To address dry skin, it is essential to maintain proper hydration by drinking plenty of water. Consuming whole foods and reducing refined sugar intake can also help. Additionally, limiting shower time and opting for warm or cool showers can prevent excessive drying of the skin. Using natural oils, such as coconut, olive, or jojoba oils, can further nourish and hydrate the skin.
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Lack of moisture
Standing for long periods, particularly on hard floors, can also contribute to cracked heels caused by a lack of moisture. Similarly, wearing unsupportive footwear, such as open-back shoes or sandals, or going barefoot, can dry out the heels and make them prone to cracking.
To prevent and treat cracked heels caused by a lack of moisture, it is essential to moisturize daily. Thick creams with ingredients like urea, alpha hydroxy acid, or salicylic acid can help soften and heal the skin. Applying moisturizer after a shower is ideal for locking in moisture, and wearing socks after moisturizing can prevent the product from rubbing off. Soaking the feet in lukewarm water and using an exfoliating tool can also help remove dry, thick skin, allowing the moisturizer to be more effective.
In addition to external moisture, internal hydration is crucial. Drinking plenty of water and ensuring adequate fluid intake can help prevent cracked heels by maintaining overall skin hydration.
While rare, certain medical conditions can also cause dry, cracked heels due to a lack of moisture. For example, Sjögren's disease involves an overactive immune system that attacks moisture-producing glands, leading to dry skin.
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Standing for long hours
If left untreated, these cracks can deepen and cause further issues. Deep cracks can be painful and may begin to bleed, creating an opening for bacteria to enter and cause an infection. This can be dangerous if you are diabetic, as cracked heels can lead to diabetic foot ulcerations.
To prevent cracked heels caused by standing for long hours, it is important to take care of your feet. Moisturising your feet daily with thick moisturisers containing urea can help keep the skin hydrated and smooth. Drinking plenty of water can also help to maintain hydration.
Additionally, it is recommended to wear appropriate and supportive footwear, such as closed-back shoes with a good fit, to reduce the pressure on your heels and prevent cracks. Avoiding standing for long periods on hard floors, if possible, can also help reduce the risk of developing cracked heels.
If daily moisturising does not improve your cracked heels, it may be necessary to consult a podiatrist. They can provide treatments such as mechanical debridement to remove the hard, thick skin and develop a personalised treatment plan to address the issue.
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Wearing open-back shoes
Wearing shoes with open backs can cause cracked heels. This is because the skin on the feet may become dry and hardened, and cracks or fissures may develop from the pressure the feet must endure. The style of walking may also play a role in the formation of cracked heels, and this may include people whose heels bear the brunt of the body's weight.
Open-back shoes, such as sandals, expose the heel pad to the air, which can cause the skin to dry out and crack. This is especially true if the shoes are worn for long periods or while standing for long hours. The constant pressure and friction on the heel pad from walking or standing can then cause cracks to form in the dry skin.
In addition to sandals, other types of open-back shoes, such as flip-flops, can also contribute to cracked heels. The thin soles of flip-flops offer little cushioning or support for the feet, which can increase the pressure on the heel pad and lead to cracks.
To prevent cracked heels caused by wearing open-back shoes, it is important to choose footwear that provides adequate cushioning and support. Shoes with closed heels and a good fit can help to distribute weight more evenly and reduce the pressure on the heel pad. Additionally, wearing padded socks or using inserts or orthotics recommended by a foot health professional can provide extra cushioning and protection for the soft tissue of the foot.
It is also important to moisturize the feet regularly to keep the skin hydrated and prevent dryness. Thick creams with ingredients such as urea, alpha hydroxy acid, or salicylic acid can help to soften and heal the skin. Daily moisturization can also help to prevent cracks from forming in the first place.
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Hard, thick skin
Cracked heels, or heel fissures, are usually caused by dry skin. When the skin on the bottom of the heel becomes hard, dry, and thick, it can form cracks due to the pressure exerted on the fat pad of the heel. This can be caused by standing for long periods, especially on hard floors, or by wearing unsupportive footwear such as open-back shoes or sandals.
In some cases, cracked heels may be attributed to medical conditions such as Sjögren's disease, which causes dry skin due to an overactive immune system that attacks moisture-producing glands. Palmoplantar keratoderma is another condition that can lead to cracked heels by causing the skin on the soles of the feet to thicken. Additionally, hypothyroidism, which is associated with a decrease in hormone production, has also been linked to dry and cracked heels.
To treat cracked heels, it is essential to address the underlying cause. Moisturising the feet regularly with thick creams or heel balms containing ingredients like urea, alpha hydroxy acid, or salicylic acid can help soften and heal the skin. Soaking the feet in lukewarm water and exfoliating with a pumice stone or foot file can also aid in removing the hard, thick skin.
For severe cases of cracked heels, a podiatrist may perform mechanical debridement to remove the thick, hard skin and provide a personalised treatment plan. They may also recommend orthotics or other specialised treatments to address the issue and prevent recurrence.
While cracked heels are typically not a serious condition, deep cracks can lead to pain, bleeding, and infection. Therefore, it is crucial to practise regular foot care, including moisturising, wearing supportive shoes, and seeking professional advice if needed.
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Frequently asked questions
Cracked heels are usually caused by dry skin, which can be the result of a lack of moisture, standing for long hours, or wearing unsupportive shoes. In some cases, cracked heels may be caused by medical conditions such as Sjögren's disease, palmoplantar keratoderma, or hypothyroidism.
There are several ways to treat cracked heels, including:
- Moisturizing daily with a thick cream containing urea, alpha hydroxy acid, or salicylic acid.
- Soaking your feet in lukewarm water and exfoliating with a pumice stone or foot file.
- Wearing cotton socks to bed after moisturizing to prevent the skin from drying out.
- Using heel balms or liquid bandages to protect and heal the affected area.
- Seeking advice from a podiatrist or doctor, who may recommend strapping, debridement, or medicated cream.
Yes, cracked heels can often be prevented by maintaining proper foot care. This includes moisturizing regularly, wearing supportive and closed-back shoes, and inspecting your feet daily for early signs of cracking.
If left untreated, cracked heels can lead to pain, bleeding, and infection. Deep cracks can allow bacteria to enter and may result in cellulitis, a type of skin infection. For individuals with diabetes, cracked heels can increase the risk of diabetic foot ulcerations. Therefore, it is important to address cracked heels and take preventive measures to avoid these potential complications.
