Do cracked heels cause cracked skin?

Cracked heels are also called heel fissures. They occur when the outer heel skin is dry or callused and splits as the heel bears weight. Fine superficial lines may feel rough, while deeper fissures can catch, sting, or bleed. Pressure around the outer rim of the heel, hard flooring, ill-fitting footwear, and dry skin can make splitting more likely. Cracked skin can develop on other body sites for different reasons, so the location and surrounding skin help distinguish a heel fissure from other skin problems.

Wash the feet with a mild cleanser, dry carefully between the toes and around the heel, then apply a fragrance-free emollient while the skin is still slightly damp. Use supportive shoes that hold the heel securely and reduce rubbing. Avoid peeling away thick skin or trying to close a deep crack with household adhesives. Covering a superficial fissure with an appropriate dressing can protect it from friction; seek individual advice on dressings if the skin is broken or painful.

Contact a clinician promptly if there is bleeding that does not stop, pus, spreading redness, increasing warmth, swelling, fever, or severe pain. People with diabetes, circulation concerns, nerve damage, or reduced foot sensation should have heel cracks assessed rather than managing them alone. Arrange a review if fissures recur, deepen, or prevent normal walking, since pressure redistribution or treatment of an underlying skin condition may help.

Ask whether the fissure needs professional debridement, a specific moisturising plan, protection from pressure, or investigation for a skin disorder. Bring the shoes you wear most often if you think their fit or heel support may be relevant.