Tag: cracked heels

The cracked skin that you can get around the edges the heels can be a painful condition if it is allowed to develop. This problem happens when the skin around the backs of the heel is dryer and thicker than it should ordinarily be. When the callus builds up to create that dry thicker skin, it simply splits as it is not very supple or adaptable. The split that develops in the hard skin, then tries to split or rip the good skin below it. In the most severe cases, this becomes painful, might bleed and become an for an infection, so does need to be taken seriously. The explanation for these cracked heels is not completely understood. Some individuals just have a tendency to have a dryer skin and some people, due to the way that they walk tend to build up the callus around the sides of the heel. Being overweight can be another risk factor for cracked heels. Footwear that are open at the back are also thought to play a role in this disorder.

The easiest method to take care of the cracked heels is to find a competent podiatrist to eliminate the thicker hard skin and then use an emollient to soften the rest of the skin. You could try and remove that skin yourself with something like a pumice stone or file, but that's a lot of work and needs to be done often. The emollient cream used after this needs to be put on regularly to keep the skin well moisturized and supple. There is a lot of opinion of what is the ideal lotion or emollient to use is and the optimum solution is the one which matches your skin. Some trial and error may be required to find the best one. For cracked heels most foot doctors would suggest starting with a urea based ointment.

The cracked skin that you can get at the back of the heels is often a painful problem if it is allowed to progress. This problem happens when the skin around the backs of the heel is dryer and thicker than it should ordinarily be. When the callus increases to create that dry thicker skin, it simply cracks as it is not too supple or adaptable. The crack that develops in the hard skin, then attempts to tear or rip the good skin beneath it. In the worst cases, this will become painful, can bleed and become a portal for an infection, so does need to be taken seriously. The reason for these cracked heels isn't totally clear. Some people simply tend to have a dryer skin and some people, due to the way that they walk tend to build up the callus around the edges of the heel. Being overweight can also be a risk factor for cracked heels. Shoes that are open at the back are also considered to play a part in this condition.

The best way to deal with the cracked heels is to get a competent foot doctor to remove the thicker hard skin and then use an cream to soften the rest of the skin. You could try and get rid of that skin yourself with something such as a pumice stone or file, but that is a lot of work and needs to be carried out often. The emollient lotion used after this should be applied on a regular basis to keep the skin well moisturized and supple. There quite a bit of thoughts and opinions of what is the ideal lotion or emollient to use is and the best answer is the one which matches your skin. Some experimentation may be needed to get the best one. For cracked heels most podiatrists usually advise starting with a urea based cream.