The thick skin on your heels plays a crucial role in the overall health of your feet. It provides vital cushioning to absorb the shocks associated with weight-bearing movements, such as walking, running, and jumping. However, if the skin on your heel starts to crack, flake, and peel away, it’s important to address this problem as soon as possible. While cracked heels aren't a major cause for concern, severe cases can lead to infection or more serious foot issues, such as altering your gait to avoid pain while walking.
Schedule a consultation with Sunshein Podiatry. Our board-certified podiatrists have helped people throughout the greater Dayton area find relief using simple remedies for treating cracked heels.
How Do You Get Cracked Heels?
Commonly referred to as heel fissures, this condition develops when the skin along the bottom edges of the heels becomes excessively dry, thick, and less flexible. As pressure from standing or walking increases, this hardened skin can split, forming painful cracks that deepen over time. In more severe cases, these fissures can bleed, making everyday activities uncomfortable and causing frustration or self-consciousness about the appearance of your feet.
Dry skin is the primary contributor to cracked heels, though certain individuals are more prone than others:
- Older adults often experience heel cracking due to a natural decline in skin oil production.
- Athletes such as runners and swimmers place repeated stress on the heels that can worsen dryness and irritation.
- People managing diabetes can also develop heel fissures if they're not able to attend to daily foot care and moisturizing.
Environmental and lifestyle factors also play a role, including cold weather, prolonged standing, poorly fitting shoes, and open-back footwear such as sandals or flip-flops. Long, hot showers and harsh soaps can further strip moisture from the skin, increasing the risk of cracks.
The encouraging news is that cracked heels are both preventable and treatable. With proper care and targeted remedies, dry, damaged skin can be restored to a smoother, healthier state.
What Can Be Done to Heal Cracked Heels?
Cracked heels may seem like a minor nuisance at first, but when dryness deepens into painful fissures, they interfere with your comfort, mobility, and confidence. But with some simple home remedies, you can treat cracked heels—and maybe even prevent the problem from happening in the first place. Below, we offer a few tips to restore moisture and protect your feet.
Wear Socks
Socks help regulate moisture and keep your feet comfortable by drawing sweat away from the skin. Proper moisture control plays an important role in preventing cracked heels. Socks also act as a protective layer between your heels and your shoes, minimizing friction and reducing the risk of further irritation.
Use Moisturizers
Regularly moisturizing your heels helps keep the skin soft, flexible, and better able to withstand daily pressure from walking and standing. Hydrated skin is less likely to thicken, crack, or split, reducing discomfort and the risk of painful fissures. Consistent moisturizing also supports faster healing, improves the appearance of the skin, and helps prevent heel fissures from returning.
Castor oil and petroleum jelly are heavy and creamy, making them ideal for cracked heels. We also recommend medicated lotions at The Foot Stop Store, located in our Centerville practice.
Pumice Away Dead Skin
A type of natural volcanic rock, pumice stones exfoliate your cracked heels and soften the skin. This practice makes it easier for moisturizer to quickly penetrate the skin and properly hydrate those hurting heels. However, keep in mind that when using a pumice stone, rub the area gently and avoid over-exfoliating.
Wear Proper Shoes
Some footwear choices—sandals, for example—aren't recommended if you have cracked heels. Instead, shop for supportive sneakers that provide the ample cushioning your heels need, which helps prevent fissures from deepening.
Drink Plenty of Water
Staying well-hydrated helps heal cracked heels from the inside out. When your body has enough water, your skin is better able to maintain elasticity and retain natural moisture, making it less prone to dryness and splitting. Proper hydration supports overall skin health, complements topical treatments, and helps create the conditions needed for cracked heels to heal more effectively.
If Simple Remedies Aren't Enough For Your Cracked Heels, Get Help From Sunshein Podiatry
If heels fissures persist despite home care or become painful, deep, or prone to bleeding, professional treatment has a meaningful impact. Our foot care specialists can safely remove thickened skin, address underlying causes, and recommend targeted treatments that promote faster healing and prevent recurrence. Seeking expert care not only relieves discomfort sooner but also helps protect your feet from complications—so you can walk comfortably and confidently again.