What should you know about O'Keeffe's cracked heels?

Cracked heels form when dry, thick skin loses flexibility and splits under pressure. Open fissures can sting, bleed, and allow irritation or infection. A heel balm can help by adding moisture and reducing water loss, but improvement depends on regular use and removing factors that keep the skin dry or overloaded.

Peeling, scaling, or itch between the toes may point to athlete's foot rather than simple dryness. Diabetes, poor circulation, inflammatory skin disease, and repeated friction can also make heel cracks harder to heal.

Apply a rich emollient to clean, slightly damp heels, especially after bathing, and cover with breathable socks if comfortable. Wear supportive shoes that reduce heel pressure and avoid walking barefoot on rough surfaces. Do not cut thick skin with blades or aggressively file an open fissure. Keep any crack clean and protected while it heals.

If scaling or itch suggests fungus, ask a pharmacist or clinician about an appropriate antifungal rather than relying on moisturiser alone. People with diabetes, reduced sensation, or circulation problems should have foot cracks assessed early.

Seek prompt care for spreading redness, warmth, swelling, pus, fever, worsening pain, or a wound that will not close. Arrange review when cracks repeatedly bleed, walking becomes difficult, one heel is much worse, or careful moisturising has not helped. Urgent assessment is sensible for a new foot wound if you have diabetes or reduced circulation.

Is this ordinary dry skin or could athlete's foot be contributing? Which emollient ingredients suit my skin? Should the fissure be dressed? Do my medicines, diabetes, circulation, or footwear affect healing?