Sore cracked heels remedy: what to know

Heel fissures form when thick, dry skin loses flexibility and splits under pressure. Open cracks can sting when you stand or walk and may let irritants enter. Dry Skin and Cracked Skin can affect the heel, while Athlete's Foot may cause scaling or itch around the sole and sides of the foot. The appearance alone cannot identify the cause.

Wash with lukewarm water, pat dry, and apply a rich emollient soon afterwards and again when the skin feels tight. Wear supportive, closed-back footwear and soft socks to limit rubbing. Do not cut fissures with blades or pull loose skin. Keep footwear dry, and avoid fragranced products on open cracks. A clinician can advise whether Emollient Therapy or treatment for a fungal condition fits your skin.

Arrange medical advice if a crack is deep, bleeding, increasingly painful, warm, swollen, or producing discharge. Seek prompt care if redness spreads, walking becomes difficult, or you have diabetes, reduced foot sensation, or poor circulation. A sore that does not start settling with careful home care also deserves an examination.

Ask whether the pattern suggests simple dryness, fungal infection, eczema, or another cause; which emollient texture is suitable; and how to protect an open fissure during walking.