Dry, cracked feet may stem from a fungal infection, spending too much time on your feet or various skin disorders, including psoriasis and eczema. If you have an underlying skin problem, see a doctor for treatment. If you are experiencing cracked heels or athlete's foot, you can usually treat them at home with over-the-counter products. Symptoms of athlete's foot, a fungal infection, include cracked, peeling skin between the toes, usually accompanied by redness and itching. Cracked heels, often called heel fissures, consist of painful cracks on the heels with no redness, pus or other signs of infection.
Cracked Feet Caused by Athlete's Foot
Step 1
Wash and dry your feet twice daily, recommends Medline Plus. Be sure to remove all of the moisture between your toes with a towel or a hair dryer.
Step 2
Apply an over-the-counter athlete's foot medication to the affected area. This may come as an ointment, spray or powder. Follow the directions on the packaging carefully.
Step 3
Put on clean socks and dry shoes. If your socks get damp, change them right away, suggests KidsHealth. Rotate your shoes daily to allow them to dry completely between wearings. If you can, wear sandals or open-toed shoes to allow your feet to breathe.
Step 4
See your doctor if your symptoms persist past four weeks. You may need a prescription-strength antifungal medication to completely treat the infection.
Cracked Heels
Step 1
Wash your feet in the bathtub or shower, then use a pumice stone to gently remove some of the dry skin around the cracks.
Step 2
Dry your feet and apply a thick moisturizer to the area. Repeat this step two to three times a day, recommends DermNetNZ.
Step 3
Wear socks to keep the moisture from the lotion on your feet, and put on supportive shoes. Wearing sandals or shoes without back support can make cracked heels worse.
Step 4
Apply a liquid bandage if your heel cracking is painful or if the fissures bleed. According to DermNetNZ, this can promote healing.
Step 5
See your doctor if you don't see any improvement within a week or if you see pus or any other signs of infection.
Tips and Warnings
- Choose shoes made of leather or canvas if you have athlete's foot, suggests Medline Plus. Shoes made from plastic or other nonbreathable materials can cause more sweating, which may exacerbate the itching and cracking.
- If you are diabetic and are suffering from cracks in your feet, contact your physician right away, warns Drugs.com. You may be at risk of a potentially severe ulcer or infection.
Things You'll Need
- Hair dryer
- Over-the-counter antifungal medication
- Socks
- Shoes made from natural fibers
- Pumice stone
- Moisturizer
- Socks
- Supportive shoes
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