Cracked Heels

Cracked heels are a very common condition, particularly among Aussies who spend a lot of time on their feet.

While it can be unsightly and quite painful, the good news is that at Gold Coast Foot Centres, we can restore your heel to a natural, healthy state relatively quickly.

What Are Cracked Heels?

This condition occurs when the thick skin around the sides and bottom of the heel becomes excessively dry and eventually leads to fissures or splits.

Initially, these cracks may appear as superficial lines, but over time, they can widen and deepen, at which point they might become painful, difficult to walk on and, in severe cases, even bleed.

Who can suffer from Cracked Heels?

Anyone can suffer from cracked heels, but it is especially common among active people, particularly those who play a lot of sports or regularly jog, walk, or swim.

It can also affect those whose jobs involve standing for long periods, regularly wear open-back footwear a lot, or are prone to certain skin conditions.

What Causes Cracked Heels?

Cracked heels result from dry skin and, more specifically, when the thicker skin around your heel becomes dry. In such circumstances, increased or extended pressure on the pad will cause the skin to split or crack.

Often, cracked heels manifest more in the winter months when the outdoor temperature and humidity are low, and people’s skin elasticity is not as robust as it can be.

However, other factors can also influence its onset, including:

• Barefoot walking (especially on rough or hard surfaces)

• Excessive showers or hot baths

• Exposure to indoor heating that lowers humidity

• Fungal skin infections

• Medications

• Medical conditions, e.g. psoriasis or diabetes

• Not moisturising your feet

• Obesity

• Wearing open-heel shoes such as sandals or thongs

How Do Cracked Heels Develop?

As mentioned, the initial signs of cracked heels are often superficial lines or calluses that form around the dry, hard skin of your heel.

However, the more you walk and apply pressure on the area, the more the fat pads under your heels begin to expand, which, in turn, causes these calluses to split or crack.

If left untreated, they will become deeper over time and even begin to bleed. They may even become infected, and for those who are diabetic, there is a real risk of diabetic foot ulcerations.

What Are the Symptoms of Cracked Heels?

The physical appearance of split and dry skin around your heels can be unsightly. But in addition to the way it looks, there are other symptoms of cracked heels you should be aware of. They include:

• Bleeding

• Discomfort and pain (especially while standing)

• Flaky skin

• Infection

• Itchiness around the area

• Redness, swelling and warmth (if an infection is present)

How Do I Treat Cracked Heels at Home?

If the cracks on your heels have only just developed then you can usually prevent them from getting wider by moisturising with a good quality foot cream.

Try to do this at least 2-3 times a day (or as directed by the product instructions). However, before you do the first time, consider using a pumice stone to remove any dead or hard skin that might otherwise prevent the moisturiser from really getting into the skin.

What Happens if the Cracks Won’t Go Away?

If the cracks won’t go away despite regular moisturising, and you are experiencing pain or discomfort, then you should contact Gold Coast Foot Centres.

Our expert podiatry team will examine your feet to determine the best cause of action. Some of the treatment options they might perform on you include:

Apply dermal foot balm to moisturise and nourish the skin around your cracked heel.

Reduce the build-up of skin through the mechanical debridement of the fissures or thick calluses with a scalpel blade.

Strap your ankle or foot to reduce skin movement around the heel.

Assess the amount of pressure experienced by your heel when you walk, and then suggest the most appropriate footwear to cushion your heel pads.

What Happens if I Ignore the Cracks in My Heel?

If you ignore the cracks in your heel, you are likely to experience prolonged and increasing pain and discomfort, which might result from them opening up and deepening more.

Additionally, you risk succumbing to cellulitis, which is a condition where infection sets into the deep cracks on account of it becoming an open wound.

For those who are diabetic, the deep cracks may even result in you developing diabetic foot ulcers.

What are the Best Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels?

Prevention is always better than treatment, so if you want to reduce your risk of suffering from cracked heels, you should do the following:

• Moisturise your feet and heels with a high urea-based moisturiser to keep your skin smooth and hydrated.

• Regularly inspect your heels to spot early signs of splits or cracks developing.

• Try not to stand for prolonged periods of time.

• Wear supportive footwear as much as you can that does not encourage dry skin to develop (limit the use of open-back sandals, bare feet and thongs).

• Wear good quality socks and stockings when possible.

• Hydrate your skin by drinking plenty of water.

Get Your Cracked Feet Treated

If your heels are cracked and they are causing you pain and discomfort, now is the time to get them treated.

Our expert podiatry team know exactly what to do to restore your feet back to full health and will remove the dry skin and ensure the cracks heal up.

So, please contact us today to make an appointment. Here is a list of all our locations you can visit.

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