What should you know about extremely dry cracked heels?

Heel skin is exposed to body weight and repeated expansion as you stand and walk. If it becomes thick and dehydrated, the edges can split into fissures. Hard floors, open-backed shoes, long hot baths, and abrasive products can increase the strain.

Itching and scaling elsewhere on the foot, especially between the toes, may suggest Athlete's Foot. Persistent heel changes can also occur with eczema, psoriasis, or other skin problems, so appearance alone cannot identify the cause.

After a short lukewarm wash, pat the feet dry and apply a rich, fragrance-free moisturiser while the skin is still slightly damp. Covering the heels with cotton socks can reduce moisture loss overnight. Choose supportive shoes with a closed heel when possible, and avoid walking barefoot on rough surfaces.

A gentle file may reduce loose hard skin after soaking, but do not shave, cut, or aggressively sand the heel. Do not put exfoliating acids on bleeding or inflamed fissures. Emollient therapy can provide a more structured approach when basic moisturising has not helped.

Have a clinician examine heels that bleed, are very painful, or show warmth, swelling, pus, spreading redness, or fever. Book a review for fissures that repeatedly reopen or make walking uncomfortable. If you have diabetes, circulation problems, or reduced feeling in your feet, get advice promptly rather than treating a deep crack yourself.

How deep are the fissures, and is an infection or Athlete's Foot contributing? Which moisturiser should I use on the heel? Would a dressing, prescription treatment, or podiatry support make walking safer?