Cracked Heels

What Causes Cracked Heels?

Cracked heels are commonly caused by dry skin, prolonged standing (especially on hard floors), open-back shoes, obesity, and certain medical conditions such as diabetes, eczema, or thyroid disorders. The skin on the heels naturally has fewer oil glands and is under significant pressure, making it prone to drying and cracking.

Warning Signs

• Dry, hard, thick skin around the heel
• Yellow or brown discolouration
• Flaking or peeling skin
• Visible cracks or fissures
• Pain when standing or walking
• Bleeding from deep cracks

Professional Care

Our chiropodists provide professional debridement to safely remove thickened, dry skin. We recommend appropriate moisturizers and emollients, and can provide ongoing routine care to prevent recurrence. For patients with diabetes or compromised circulation, regular professional foot care is particularly important.

How We Treat Cracked Heels

Treatment begins with professional debridement of the thick, dry callus around the heel rim — removing the hard skin that splits under pressure. Your chiropodist will then recommend a urea-based moisturizing regimen to restore skin flexibility, address contributing factors such as open-backed footwear or prolonged standing, and dress any deep fissures to help them heal. For recurring cases, we look for underlying causes including fungal infection, skin conditions, and biomechanical pressure patterns.

When Cracked Heels Become Serious

Seek professional care promptly if your heel fissures bleed, are painful when standing, show signs of infection (redness, warmth, discharge), or are not improving with daily moisturizing. If you have diabetes, cracked heels deserve special attention — deep fissures are an entry point for bacteria and can develop into serious wounds when circulation or sensation is reduced.