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Cracked heels are a very common foot problem, with roughly 20% of adults suffering from them in one form or another. For most people, their cracked heels are nothing more than an eyesore, but for some, they can become very deep, sore and painful. So here’s all you need to know about what causes cracked heels and how to treat them. 

What causes cracked heels?

There are many different potential causes for cracked heels ranging from skin dryness through to medical conditions such as diabetes. Finding out the cause of your cracked heels is the key to understanding which cracked heels remedy will provide you with the best results, so here are some of the most common:


  • Skin dryness
    If the skin on your feet is particularly dry then it will lack elasticity, therefore cracking as you walk. Skin dryness often exasperates heel cracking but is not usually the only cause.

  • Obesity
    One of the most common causes of cracked heels is being overweight. An overweight person increases the pressure applied to the fat pad of their foot, causing it to expand outwards, often cracking their calluses that lie on top of it.

  • Open footwear
    Ironically, open footwear such as sandals can also increase the chances of a person developing unsightly cracked heels, as the person’s fat pad under their heel is not contained by a shoe, this allows it to expand sideways.

  • Excess water exposure
    Water washes away the skin's natural oils, leaving the heel dry and less elastic. This combined with the other factors mentioned above can increase the chance of a person’s heels cracking.

  • Medical conditions
    Medical conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disease, psoriasis and diabetes can all increase a person's chance of experiencing cracked heels. 


How to prevent cracked heels

If you haven’t got cracked heels already then there are a few things you can do to reduce your chance of developing them. Try to avoid open shoes such as flip-flops and sandals, stay hydrated and moisturise your feet regularly, and try to keep any heel calluses down by using a pumice stone of visiting a health care professional who will be able to remove any excess dry skin. 


What to do if you already have cracked heels

If you’re one of the unlucky 20% who already has cracked heels then don’t despair, there are things that you can do to get your heels back into good condition. First and foremost, whether you’re in pain or not it may be worth considering booking a visit to a healthcare professional who will be able to help you find the underlying cause of your cracked heels and may be able to speed up your treatment. Treatment for cracked heels usually combines exfoliating away the hard cracked skin and moisturising the skin to reduce the likelihood of further cracks forming. There are a number of exfoliation and hydration products available for cracked heels that you can apply yourself at home, you’ll find these at the local pharmacy or drug store. If however your cracked heels are linked to a medical condition then it’s always best to speak with a specialist foot doctor.