What are cracked heels a sign of?

What makes heels dry and cracked?

Cold, dry weather, walking barefoot and long, hot showers can all contribute. Bathing for too long dries the skin further. Thick, hard areas of skin called calluses develop from friction or pressure, including where shoes rub against the feet. Look at both your washing habits and your footwear rather than treating the cream as the whole solution.23

What do the other symptoms tell you?

Itching, burning and scaling can point to athlete's foot, a fungal infection, rather than dryness alone. It commonly affects the spaces between the toes but can spread elsewhere on the foot. A pharmacist or doctor can advise on treatment. Tingling, burning or numbness also deserves a medical assessment: these can be symptoms of nerve damage, which reduces how well your feet warn you about injury.134

How to care for dry, cracked heels

1. 1Wash your feet daily with a gentle, fragrance free cleanser and warm water. Keep baths and showers to 5 to 10 minutes. Blot dry gently and dry carefully between your toes.
2. 2Within 5 minutes of bathing, apply moisturizer to your heels while the skin is still damp. Options include a cream containing 10% to 25% urea, alpha hydroxy acid or salicylic acid. Reapply whenever your heels feel dry.
3. 3Before bed, apply plain petroleum jelly to your heels. Socks help keep the ointment off your bedding.
4. 4During the day, a liquid bandage over heel cracks can provide a protective barrier, reduce pain and help healing.
5. 5Wear shoes that support and cover your heels. Avoid shoes with open backs, worn shoes and shoes that fit poorly.

Continue moisturizing daily once your skin improves to help prevent the cracks returning. A thick hand or foot cream can be used for daily moisturizing, so the word "foot" on the tube is not a professional qualification. Keep cream out of the spaces between your toes, where extra moisture encourages athlete's foot.1

Choose comfortable, supportive shoes that are neither too tight nor too loose, because footwear has work to do beyond appearing in holiday photos. Have your feet measured when buying shoes, since their size can change over time.3

What if you already have diabetes?

Diabetes can cause extremely dry skin, deep cracks and slower healing. It can also reduce blood flow and feeling in your feet, so a painful warning is not always present. Check the tops, soles, heels and between your toes every day. Use a mirror or ask for help if you cannot see the soles, and attend your foot screening.45

For dry heels, apply a cream containing 10% to 25% urea before bed, layer petroleum jelly over it and wear white cotton socks. Repeat daily until the skin heals. For general dry skin, choose a fragrance free cream or ointment containing ceramides rather than a lotion. If you have diabetes and calluses, have a dermatologist or podiatrist treat them: thick skin can break down and develop deep cracks.5

When should you get medical help?

See a dermatologist if your cracks are severe or do not improve with home care. Pain, swelling, redness, altered sensation or difficulty walking also warrant a doctor's assessment.23

If you have diabetes, contact your doctor, podiatrist or diabetic foot team straight away for a wound, redness, swelling, a hot foot or signs of infection such as discharge or a bad smell. Sudden colour changes, severe pain or a foot that becomes cold or numb also need urgent care. Seek emergency care if your foot suddenly becomes red or swollen, changes colour or becomes more painful, especially if you feel generally unwell.4