Cracked Heels: Causes, Treatment & Help

Cracked heels can develop from dry, stressed heel corneas. However, they are not a fate, but can be treated well with some simple treatment measures. The same applies to cracked heels: prevention is better than cure. Proper care can help prevent cracked heels.

What are cracked heels?

Cracks in the heel cornea, often referred to as chapped heels, can be painful and, more importantly, very stubborn, depending on their depth. Cracked heels are torn areas in the dried out heel cornea. To a certain extent, callus formation serves to protect heavily stressed areas of the body such as the heels. In the case of extraordinary stress, often coupled with a lack of care, the cornea can no longer maintain its protective function. It dries out due to a lack of moisture, fat and other nutrients and ultimately cracks. The cracks in the heel cornea, which are often also referred to as chapping, can be painful and, above all, very stubborn, depending on their depth. If appropriate countermeasures are not taken, the cracks deepen and bleeding and infection of the cracked heels may occur.

Causes

Cracked heels can have various causes. Often they are caused by mechanical irritation of the skin of the heel, for example, in the summer by walking barefoot on unfavorable surfaces or by not wearing protective socks in footwear that is not one hundred percent optimal. But also vice versa, rough wool socks, synthetic hosiery or pressing boots in winter can lead to first dry, then cracked heels. Certain skin diseases, such as neurodermatitis or psoriasis, also favor the development of dry skin on the heels, which can become brittle and cracked if left untreated. In general, a predisposition to dry skin, even if it does not represent a disease in itself, is considered a risk factor for cracked heels. Skin defects caused by a fungus, for example, also promote the development of cracked heels. Dietary habits can also play a role: For example, a deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids or vitamin E can promote the problem. An underactive thyroid gland also counts permanently cracked heels among its symptoms. Last but not least, diabetics are predestined for cracked heels. Since they do not perceive early warning signals from the body in response to unfavorable footwear etc. due to restricted pain conduction function, they tend to pay less attention and care to their feet. Cracked heels can be the result here.

Diseases with this symptom

  • Neurodermatitis
  • Psoriasis
  • Hypothyroidism

Diagnosis and course

Cracked heels are easy to diagnose: Does the heel skin feel like sandpaper? Is the heel skin on the outer edge of the sole of the foot swollen in a U-shape or otherwise excess, meaning that natural desquamation has ceased? Are there cracks in the epidermis that perhaps already hurt? But it doesn’t have to get that far. Cracked heels go through various early stages. The first is excessively dry foot skin. If you neglect to intervene with rich care, excessive formation of skin flakes will occur in the further course. If these are not removed manually, the skin will eventually tear. This course of the disease is favored by a generally unhealthy lifestyle, i.e. the consumption of nicotine and alcohol as well as malnutrition. Circulatory disorders also promote the transition from dry to cracked heel skin. In addition, it is more likely to get cracked heels with older age, as the skin can no longer protect and take care of itself in old age. Men are even more likely to be affected by cracked heels than women.

When should you go to the doctor?

Cracked heels indicate at first glance a very dry and brittle skin. However, this is not a clinical picture that must necessarily be examined by a doctor. Affected individuals can use moisturizing creams or ointments that restore and regenerate the skin. However, cracked feet can also be caused by excessive stress, so that deep cracks form in the skin. In such a case, even the above-mentioned creams or ointments will no longer help. Under certain circumstances, a crack may form.A fissure is a deep tear in the skin that can no longer grow together on its own. Already at the first signs of deep cracks in the skin should definitely consult a doctor. In such a case, a doctor can prescribe appropriate medication that promotes healing quickly and effectively. Thus, if you suffer from very rough and cracked feet, you should not delay a visit to the doctor for a long time. Only early treatment with the right medications can prevent serious complications. Without proper treatment, bacteria can settle in the fissure and multiply. Under certain circumstances, this can lead to inflammation, which of course must be treated afterwards. Even the formation of pus is possible in such a case.

Complications

Cracked heels can cause various complications, which may need to be treated by a doctor. A true complication can occur if the cracks on the heels become too deep. If this is the case, it is a fissure. In the worst case, such a deep crack can be infected with bacteria, causing a severe inflammation. In such a case, a doctor should be consulted urgently, as this clinical picture should be treated with appropriate medication. However, even with the right medication, the healing process is very long and can cause various complications. If the fissure starts to ooze, it can lead to the formation of pus. Since the heel is constantly in motion and subjected to intense pressure, the open wound can be very difficult to heal. Therefore, by immobilizing the affected regions, the entire healing process can be significantly shortened. Nevertheless, several months are to be expected until complete healing. The healing process can also be counteracted with the application of various creams and ointments. Moisture and fats help the skin to regenerate completely and faster.

Treatment and therapy

The treatment of cracked heels is primarily through skin care measures. In the light stage, a so-called chapped heel ointment from the drugstore may still do a good job, but for more severe cracks, products from the pharmacy should be used. These contain caring, fat and moisturizing active substances such as urea. The skin of the feet can be treated by rubbing it thickly with chapped skin ointment before going to bed, wrapping it in cling film and pulling thick socks over it. This treatment makes the skin on the heels soft to the touch again. For more stubborn chapped heels, the excess callus must first be removed. A pumice stone, foot scrub or foot file with sandpaper is suitable for this. Beware of callus planes with sharp blades – their use should be left to the trained beautician or, better yet, podiatrist. If the cracked heel skin is based on organic diseases such as hypothyroidism or diabetes mellitus, the care of cracked heels should be carried out by a professional podiatrist as part of medical foot care anyway. In self-treatment, it can be useful to take steps to counteract the general dryness of the body. Drinking enough is the first priority here, especially water and unsweetened herbal teas. About two liters a day should be enough. Coffee and the like do not count as part of the daily drinking quantity, as they extract water from the body. Those who are not very thirsty and therefore simply forget to drink can provide themselves with filled water carafes at strategically favorable points (kitchen, desk, bedside cabinet), which contain a total of the daily drinking amount.

Outlook and prognosis

If cracked heels are a purely cosmetic problem, they are relatively easy to treat. They are caused by dry skin, inadequate care and, in some cases, poor nutrition. The skin feels dry and has formed a relatively large amount of callus. If it also itches or possibly shows bloody spots, medical help is advisable so that no inflammations develop. If the cracks are the result of a skin disease, the cause must be treated. The dermatologist will prescribe a healing ointment. As a preventive measure, those affected should pay close attention to good skin care. Daily massages and lipid-rich creams also provide lasting protection against cracks and chapped skin. Pumice stone is an old home remedy for cracks on the soles of the feet and heels. Affected people should take a warm foot bath enriched with essential oils.The feet need to soak in it until the skin swells. Then the callus is rubbed off with the pumice stone. After that, it must be thoroughly creamed or oiled. Almond oil, evening primrose oil and rosemary oil have proven effective here. Peelings with sea salt and olive oil are also suitable for removing calluses. Comfortable shoes and stockings are also important to prevent thick calluses from forming in the first place. The daily diet should contain enough zinc and omega-3 fatty acids, because they protect the skin.

Prevention

In addition to a healthy lifestyle, regular care is the most important prevention of cracked heels. For particularly dry or stressed skin, this may well mean a daily grooming ritual. The removal of excess calluses and the subsequent application of cream to the feet should become as much a matter of course as daily showering. Regular visits to professional foot care round out the prevention program for cracked heels.

What you can do yourself

For cracked heels, a foot bath is useful. For this purpose, about 37 degrees warm water is added to a bowl together with herbs or drops of an essential oil. The feet should be soaked in the foot bath for about ten minutes, so that the skin swells slightly and becomes whitish. Then, using a pumice stone, the thick horny skin layer that often accompanies cracked heels can be removed. Finally, the feet should be creamed or oiled. A foot scrub with sea salt and olive oil or a scrub made of raw cane sugar, crushed fruit seeds and olive oil helps against cracked heels. Cracked heels can also be rubbed with lemon juice and petroleum jelly. They soften the hardened areas and significantly reduce the cracks. Honey also softens and moisturizes the skin. In addition, a mask of avocado and bananas moisturizes the skin and improves its appearance. Cracked heels can be massaged daily with moisturizing and fatty creams. It makes sense to apply thick cream to the feet in the evening, put stockings over them and leave the ointment to act overnight. The active ingredients from the cream can thus be optimally absorbed into the skin and the moisture cannot escape through the socks. People with cracked heels should wear comfortable and not too tight shoes.