Cracked Heels

Cracked heels are a common foot problem caused by excessive dryness of the skin on the heels of the feet.  Usually this is only a mild condition that is just a bit painful or uncomfortable.  Although in some cases it can become severe enough to interfere with your daily activities.  You can tell if you have cracked heels by examining the backs of your feet for rough, thick, hardened, or callused skin.

There are many things you can do to prevent cracked heels.  It is always important to make sure that you are wearing well-fitted shoes that are not too tight, but are snug enough that your foot does not have too much room to move around.  Shoes that are open in the back like sandals and flip-flops can often cause calluses from constant rubbing on the backs of the feet.  Also, wearing shoes that have very thin or worn-out insoles can contribute to rough or thickened skin on your feet.  Try to replace the inner padding of your shoes every few months or whenever you see that they are beginning to show wear.

If you think that you may already have excessively dry or cracked skin on your heels, there are also many over-the-counter treatments available to you.  If you prefer a non-drug therapy, you may try using a pumice stone to help remove dead skin and renew the growth of healthier skin cells.  There are also an array of topical products you can apply to the feet that will help them retain moisture.  Most of these contain a skin-protectant such as zinc oxide or a moisturizer like ammonium lactate in low concentrations.  If you have any cuts or severely irritated areas on your feet, you can try applying Neosporin or bacitracin ointment to the area before going to bed.  If necessary, your doctor may prescribe you a special cream or ointment with both antibiotic and moisturizing components to help treat your feet.  Talk with your doctor about your specific needs and see if a compounded medication to treat your cracked heels would be best for you.