What is the medical term for cracked heels?

What causes heel fissures?

Dry skin is the most common cause. Thickened skin around the heel rim is called a callus. Pressure makes the cushioning fat pad beneath the heel spread sideways, which can split the dry callus. Long periods standing on hard floors and shoes with open backs contribute because the heel has less support. Cold, dry weather, walking barefoot and long, hot showers also contribute to dryness and cracking.234

A callus and a fissure are not the same thing: the callus is the thickened patch, and the fissure is a crack within it. Calluses form in response to repeated rubbing or pressure, and some callus on the sole is normal. Small heel cracks can deepen under continued pressure until standing or walking hurts; deep cracks can bleed.25

How do you care for cracked heels?

1. 1Wash your feet daily with lukewarm water and a gentle, fragrance free cleanser. Avoid scrubbing, limit baths and showers to 5 to 10 minutes, and gently blot your skin dry.
2. 2Apply moisturizer within five minutes of bathing, while the heel skin is still damp. A cream containing 10% to 25% urea, alpha hydroxy acid or salicylic acid can help. Reapply whenever your heels feel dry.
3. 3Apply plain petroleum jelly before bed to help hold moisture in the skin. Cotton socks can help retain moisture overnight.
4. 4During the day, use a liquid bandage over heel cracks to create a protective barrier, reduce pain and help healing.
5. 5Wear shoes that fit properly and support the heel. Avoid shoes with open heels, worn out shoes and footwear that rubs.

Socks help keep petroleum jelly off the bedding, which has no need for a skincare routine.4

Should you soak or file your heels?

A separate foot soak is unnecessary because a bath or shower can soften callused skin, without giving the bathroom a second appointment. Frequent soaking can dry skin out or worsen small sores. Household additives such as vinegar and mouthwash can irritate skin, and there is no proof that they help. Long soaks can also weaken the skin barrier and increase moisture loss.36

A pumice stone can gently remove some thick callus before moisturizing. Do not file inflamed, itchy or sensitive areas, and never cut hard skin away with scissors, blades or other sharp tools. Removing too much skin can cause bleeding and infection. If you have diabetes, poor circulation, delicate skin or a tendency to develop infections, get professional advice rather than treating calluses yourself.235

When should you see a doctor?

Have severe, painful or bleeding cracks assessed. See a podiatrist, a foot care specialist, if home care brings no improvement after a week. Exfoliating moisturizers can take about two weeks of regular use to show a response, but severe cracks should not be left untreated while you wait. Infected fissures can lead to cellulitis, a skin infection requiring medical treatment. Diabetes deserves particular caution because reduced feeling in the feet can accompany fissures that develop into ulcers.234

Persistent cracks are not always just dry skin. Athlete's foot can reach the heels and cause painful fissures, particularly alongside itchy, scaly soles or skin between the toes. Eczema and psoriasis can also contribute, as can conditions such as hypothyroidism. A clinician can assess the cause when moisturizing is not helping. Professional treatment can include removing thick skin safely, protective dressings, stronger softening creams or heel supports that redistribute pressure.123