Cracked Heels Diagnosis and Treatment

Cracked heels are very common. Cracked heels is foot problem that are often referred to as heel fissures. Cracked heels are commonly caused by dry skin (xerosis), and made more complicated if the skin around the rim of the heel is thick (callus). For most people this is a nuisance and a cosmetic problem but when the fissures or cracks are deep, they are painful to stand on and the skin can bleed - in severe cases this can become infected. Signs and symptoms that surface on the skin are simple indicators of a faulty internal activity or an external abuse. The edges or rim around the heel will generally have a thicker area of skin (callus).

Wearing open or thin soled shoes usually make the symptoms worse. In severe cases cracked heels can become infected, and lead to cellulitis. Some medical conditions predispose to a drying skin. Some of the common treatements for cracked heels are avoid wearing open backed shoes or thin soled shoes. Use a pumice stone to reduce the thickness of the hard skin. Wear shoes with a good shock absorbing sole. Applying an oil based moisturizing cream twice daily is really important to get on top of this problem. A pumice stone can be used to reduce the thickness of the hard skin. Strapping – bandage/dressings around the heel to reduce skin movement. Insoles, heel pad or heel cups to redistribute the weight of the heel and provide better support.

Cracked Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. Use a pumice stone to reduce the thickness of the hard skin.

2. Avoid wearing open backed shoes or thin soled shoes.

3. Wear shoes with a good shock absorbing sole.

4. Avoid open backed shoes or thin soled shoes

5. Apply a moisturizing cream twice daily to the affected heels, such as flexitol heel balm.