When dry skin affects your feet, the heels may develop cracks on the surface known as fissures. The Foot & Ankle Center of Washington notes that obesity, standing for long periods of time and such medical and skin conditions as diabetes, eczema and psoriasis can worsen heel fissures. Use simple techniques to soften cracked heels to minimize discomfort and reduce the risk of complications, such as bleeding and infection.
Step 1
Wash your feet daily, using water and a mild soap, and dry your feet completely. The University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics recommends testing the water with your elbow or hand before submerging your feet to ensure it's not too hot, because hot water can worsen a dry-skin condition.
Step 2
Use a pumice stone to rub away the dead, thick skin on your heels after you've washed them so that the skin is softer. The Foot & Ankle Center of Washington suggests using the pumice stone treatment every other day for at least two weeks to see results.
Step 3
Rub a moisturizer into your heels to soften and hydrate the cracked skin. The New Zealand Dermatological Society advises twice-daily use of heel balms that feature ingredients designed to rehydrate and reduce the scales on dry skin, such as urea and alphahydroxy acids.
Step 4
Condition your cracked heels overnight to allow moisturizers to penetrate the dry, thick skin. The Foot & Ankle Center of Washington suggests applying a layer of moisturizer and covering your feet with socks to prevent the cream from evaporating or rubbing off.
Step 5
Increase the hydration of your heels and the skin on your entire body by boosting the moisture in the air inside your home. The UAB Medicine website of the UAB Health Care System recommends keeping the temperature in your home as cool as possible and increasing the humidity level by using a room humidifier.
Tips and Warnings
- Prevent heel fissures from forming in the first place by ensuring your footwear doesn't cause calluses or dry skin to worsen on your feet. The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons points out that shoes with open backs or footwear that's too tight and rubs against the backs of your feet can cause or worsen cracked heels.
- Consult your doctor or podiatrist if you notice signs of infected cracked heels, particularly if you're a diabetic. MedlinePlus recommends inspecting feet daily for deeply cracked skin, sores, cuts, warmth, hard spots, tenderness and redness that might develop into a more serious condition that requires medical attention. Avoid trying to remove calluses or thickened skin from your heels with methods other than softening and wearing them away with a pumice stone. MedlinePlus notes that trying to cut the skin away with nail clippers or scissors, for instance, could result in an injury to your foot that can develop into a serious cut or ulcer, especially if you're a diabetic.
Things You'll Need
- Water
- Mild soap
- Pumice stone
- Moisturizer
- Socks
- Humidifier
References
- American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons: Cracked Heels
- University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics: Diabetes Foot Care
- UAB Medicine: Diabetes, Foot Care
- Foot & Ankle Center of Washington: Cracked Heels and Heel Fissures
- New Zealand Dermatological Society: Cracked Heels
- MedlinePlus: Diabetes, Taking Care of Your Feet
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