What Causes Cracked Heels

The foot cracks is a common foot condition which makes skin around the heel area more dry, thick, tough, and also splits. Even though the cracks are mild, there are times where the roughness and deeper cracks might bleed and make the walk uncomfortable. Most people, like around 80%, suffer from cracked heels due to various concerns like standing for a longer period and not taking care of your feet regularly.

As the feet ' skin handles the whole body weight and movement for the whole day, they should be cared for frequently. The loss of Moisture and elasticity leads to elevate the cracks in the heels.

In this blog, you will get to know in detail about the causes of cracked heels, tips to heal them naturally, and everything in detail.

What Causes Cracked Heels

The cracks in the heel develop due to a combination of factors like excessive dryness, too much pressure in the heel dry, environmental build-ups, medical factors, and a lot more. 

Know about every cause in detail to treat them with right kind of solution:

1. Dry Skin

The excessive dryness in the skin leads to skin cracks; This is because of the lack of moisture in the skin barrier leading to roughness, flakiness, and also reduction in the level of flexibility.

When you are someone with dry skin, the dry and cracked heels will surely accompany you now and then! Using a foot butter in PM routine will be of great help. Some of the factors which increase the skin dryness level includes:

• Cold weather conditions

• Hot showers

• Low humidity

• Usage of harsh soaps

• Dehydration

2. Standing For Long Hours

People who tend to stand for a longer period tend to put continuous pressure on their heels. This obviously causes the pressure to exceed leading to dry and cracked heels. People who tend to suffer under this conditions:

3. Walking Barefoot

If you walk barefoot, then the feet area tends to the cracked heels which have been exposed to friction, dust, and dryness.

Ensure to use soft footwears when you are walking indoors or outdoors. Walking barefoot on the hard surfaces tend to:

• Increase pressure on heels

• Remove natural skin moisture

• Cause skin thickening

4. Thick Callus Formation

Calluses are nothing but the thick area in the skin which has been developed due to the constant pressure and friction.

Some of the common signs of heal calluses includes:

• Yellow or brown skin

• Rough heel texture

• Hard patches around the heel

5. Lack Of Foot Care

Taking care of your feet regularly leads to dryness and cracked heels. Like facial care you do not have to do them twice everyday, once a week is more than enough.

Some of the common foot care mistake includes:

• Not moisturizing feet

• Skipping exfoliation

• Wearing unsuitable footwear

• Ignoring dryness

6. Dehydration

The reduction of water content might affect the overall skin hydration, including the feet area. When the body lacks adequate hydration:

• Skin becomes dry

• Elasticity decreases

• Cracking becomes more likely

7. Aging

As people age, the skin naturally becomes thinner, dry, and less prone to elastic. Some of the age related skin issues include:

8. Wearing Open-Back Footwear

When choosing footwear, pick ones which do not contribute to the heel cracks. Some of the problematic footwear types include:

• Flip-flops

• Open sandals

• Hard slippers

• Ill-fitting shoes

Medical Conditions Which Causes Cracked Heels

Why Cracked Heels Become Painful

The pain in the heel develops since the deeper skin layer gets extended. Some of the common symptoms of cracked heel includes:

• Bleeding

• Burning sensation

• Difficulty in walking

• Swelling

Signs Your Heels Are Becoming Cracked

Early treatment can prevent severe fissures. Some of the signs which should need immediate attention includes:

• Rough heel texture

• White flaky skin

• Thick dry patches

• Tightness around heels

• Mild splitting

Difference Between Dry Heels And Cracked Heels

Common Mistakes That Worsen Cracked Heels

1. Scrubbing Too Hard

2. Ignoring Mild Dryness

3. Wearing Unsupportive Footwear

4. Using Very Hot Water

How To Prevent Cracked Heels

• Moisturize feet regularly

• Wear comfortable footwear

• Stay hydrated

• Avoid walking barefoot

• Exfoliate using a foot scrub gently

• Use mild cleansers

Consistent care helps maintain healthy heels.

Conclusion

Cracked heels are mainly occurring due to a lot of factors like dryness, friction, build-ups, lack of foot care, and the list goes on and on! So, ensure to focus on food, lifestyle, and proper caring for the feet at least once in a couple of months for better results.