What are cracked heels?
As the name implies, cracked heels are heels that have developed fissures, often known as cracks or “splits.” Linear heel cracks start on the heel’s edge and get deeper, more painful, and can even bleed over time. Loss of suppleness and extremely dry skin are linked to cracked heels. The fissures may serve as an entry point for infection if they are not repaired.

Why do heels crack?
When the skin gets too dry, it cracks and splits, creating what are called fissures. This is caused by the forces that walking and standing put on the heel. Imagine pushing down on a tomato that isn’t ripe; the skin would split similarly to the heel’s skin. Deep cracks called fissures are usually located on the heel border.

Heel fissures are more common in some persons than others, and they include:

• People who spend a lot of time standing
• Individuals who wear shoes with an open back
• Individuals that are overweight
• Dry skin and heel fissures can also be caused by autonomic neuropathy. Damage to the peripheral nerve system causes autonomic neuropathy, which in the foot can lead to dry skin by reducing sweat production. Autonomic neuropathy can result from the following circumstances, for example:
• Neuropathy caused by diabetes
• Alcohol-induced neuropathy
• Parkinson’s illness
• Guillain-Barr Syndrome
• Sclerosis
• Taking anticholinergic drugs
• Idiopathic chronic anhidrosis

Individuals suffering from specific illnesses, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, psoriasis, and eczema

How should I proceed if my heels are cracked?
It’s critical that you obtain treatment for cracked heels. You can get assistance from one of our podiatrists at Greater Manchester Foot Care.

Treatment for cracked heels in podiatry
One of our podiatrists can readily treat cracked heels utilising forceful filing, sharp debridement with a scalpel blade, or a combination of the two, along with intense emollient therapy, which entails moisturising. There is no discomfort involved in treating cracked heels.

If you have cracked heels, you should see a podiatrist since the root reason needs to be treated. In addition to not treating the underlying reason, many over-the-counter treatments for cracked heels are not appropriate for those with diabetes or impaired circulation.