Cracked Heels

Cracked heels are also known as keratoderma. They are an extremely common skin problem and can be very painful. In severe cases the skin can take on a thick yellow or brown crusty-looking appearance. For most people it can be more of a cosmetic issue but some, the cracks deepen into the living layer of the skin. When this occurs the cracks can become painful and easily infected. Cracked heels are caused when the skin becomes so dry and brittle that under the pressure of our weight, it simply splits apart. If you see signs of dryness or cracks, it’s best to act sooner, rather than later. Your foot specialist will be able to help you get on top of the problem by gentle removing excess skin around the heels. This will greatly improve the appearance of the heels and help protective creams penetrate more effectively.

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Is dry skin more prone to cracking?
Dry skin is less strong than healthy skin and so is more prone to cracking.

Why are the heels prone to developing cracks?
When you stand the skin around the heels is under tension and pressure from the weight of our body. Skin which is dry and or thickened with callus is less able to cope with these stresses. Small tears can develop in the upper layers of the skin. Left untreated they become deeper, eventually breaking through the skin altogether.

Should I cut away any hard skin myself?
Trying to cut away callus and hard skin yourself is not advisable because there is a real danger of cutting yourself and introducing infection into the foot. The best advice is to seek help from a trained professional. In addition to having your feet assessed and any callus removed you will also receive advice on how to prevent future foot problems.

Cracked Heels

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