Cracked heels are a common foot issue that can be both uncomfortable and unsightly. What starts as minor dryness can escalate into painful fissures if left untreated. Understanding the causes and learning how to prevent cracked heels can keep your feet soft, smooth, and pain-free.
What Causes Cracked Heels?
Cracked heels occur when the dry, thickened skin on the bottom of your heels cracks and splits. This condition, also known as heel fissures, can become quite painful if the cracks deepen and can even lead to infections in severe cases.
Common Causes and Risk Factors:
- Prolonged Standing: Spending long hours on your feet, especially on hard surfaces, can increase pressure on your heels.
- Unsupportive Footwear: Wearing shoes that don’t support your feet, like open-back sandals, can cause the fat pads under your heels to expand and lead to cracking.
- Walking Barefoot: Going barefoot provides no protection or support, making your feet more susceptible to dryness and cracking.
- Obesity: Excess weight puts additional pressure on the heels, increasing the likelihood of cracks.
- Long, Hot Showers: Extended exposure to hot water can strip your skin of essential moisture, contributing to dryness.
- Chronic Conditions: Health issues like diabetes can exacerbate the problem, potentially leading to more severe complications like diabetic foot ulcers.
As the skin around your heels becomes increasingly dry and hard (forming calluses), it starts to crack under pressure. If these cracks are not treated, they can deepen, bleed, and in severe cases, become infected.
Symptoms of Cracked Heels
In addition to the visible dryness and cracking, you may experience:
- Pain and Discomfort: Especially while standing or walking.
- Itchiness: A common symptom of dry, cracked skin.
- Bleeding: Cracks may bleed if they become deep.
- Flaky Skin: Dry, peeling skin around the heels.
- Infection Signs: Warmth, redness, and swelling may indicate an infection.
How to Prevent Cracked Heels
Preventing cracked heels is all about maintaining the moisture and integrity of the skin on your feet.
Here are some effective strategies:
1. Moisturize Daily
The key to keeping your heels soft and hydrated is regular moisturization. Use a high urea-based moisturizer like our Super-Rich Foot Cream to nourish and regenerate chapped skin. Its rich, moisturizing formula helps lock in moisture, leaving your feet silky-soft and smooth.
2. Exfoliate Regularly
Exfoliation removes dead skin cells that can contribute to callus formation. Our Phydra Face & Body Scrub Choc is perfect for this. Not only does it exfoliate and clean your skin, but it also infuses it with a delightful, lingering fragrance, leaving you feeling refreshed and revitalized.
Pro Tip: After exfoliating, always apply a thick layer of moisturizer to lock in hydration and further soften the skin.
Cracked heels don’t have to be a persistent problem. By incorporating a few simple habits into your daily routine—like moisturizing and exfoliating—you can prevent dry, cracked skin and keep your feet looking and feeling their best.
Whether you’re prone to cracked heels or just want to maintain soft, healthy feet, these preventive measures are key.
