Cracked and peeling heels: what should you know?

A dry heel can build up a rough outer layer that flakes as it loosens, while the deeper skin splits under pressure. Athlete's Foot may produce scale that extends from the sole or between the toes, sometimes with itch. Dry Skin usually feels tight and rough, whereas irritation may follow a new product or footwear material. The appearance, itch, and spread help distinguish these possibilities; peeling alone does not identify one cause.

Wash briefly with lukewarm water and pat dry, including between the toes. Apply a thick, fragrance-free moisturiser to intact heel skin and cover a painful fissure with a clean dressing. Let loose flakes come away naturally; do not tear, shave, or scrub them aggressively. Use breathable socks and shoes, and avoid sharing towels. Emollient Therapy may be useful when dryness and thickening are driving repeated peeling, but a suspected infection needs targeted advice.

Book a review if peeling spreads, keeps returning, or occurs with marked itch, pain, or open cracks. Seek prompt care for warmth, swelling, spreading redness, pus, fever, or difficulty walking. Earlier assessment is sensible for diabetes, loss of foot sensation, poor circulation, or a wound that is slow to close.

Does the peeling fit dryness, fungal scaling, or another dermatitis? Which areas should I moisturise, and how can I protect the fissure while the skin settles?