Home remedies for cracked heels don’t work. Coconut oil, pumice stones—they all tend to fail, leaving your heels looking like dried riverbeds. So what does work? In this post, we’ll break down the right way to resolve cracked heels, debunking myths and explaining exactly what works—and why.
Myths about Cracked Heels ![dry cracked feet]()
Before we dive into effective remedies for cracked heels, let’s debunk some myths about them. The first one is that cracked heels are just a cosmetic problem, and don’t require treatment. That couldn’t be further from the truth: left untreated, cracked heels can become a serious medical concern. You see, cracks can deepen over time without treatment, leading to bleeding, pain and possible infection. For people with diabetes, cracked heels can be especially dangerous.
Another myth is that your heels only crack if you have dry skin. But, while dry skin certainly contributes to the problem, anyone can develop this concern, regardless of skin type. In reality, cracked heels develop due to a combination of factors that includes prolonged standing, excessive pressure on the feet, certain medical conditions and…yes…dry skin. That’s just not the only factor contributing to this problem.
Finally, we need you to understand that cracked heels aren’t caused by a lack of hydration. While moisturizing is important, simply drinking water or applying lotion isn’t going to fix the problem. Because cracked heels are caused by multiple factors, you’ll need a multi-pronged approach to achieve full healing.
How to Heal Cracked Heels: Understanding Root Causes
Cracked heels occur when the skin on the bottom of your feet becomes excessively dry and thickened. Think of it like a piece of leather that’s been left out in the sun—it becomes dry and brittle, and eventually starts to crack. Several factors contribute to this process. Age is a significant factor: as we get older our skin naturally becomes drier and less elastic. The fat pads in our heels also wear out over time, providing less cushioning and allowing more pressure to impact the area.
Prolonged standing is also a factor—it puts pressure on your heels that causes the skin to thicken as a protective response. Unfortunately, thickened skin is more prone to cracking.
Certain medical conditions can also contribute to cracked heels. Diabetes can affect circulation and cause nerve damage that affects sensation in your feet. This means you might not even notice the early signs of cracking, allowing the condition to progress. Thyroid disorders, eczema, and psoriasis can also contribute to dry, cracked skin. And footwear also plays a huge role—open-backed shoes don’t provide support for your heels, allowing the fat pad to expand sideways under pressure. This expansion can cause the skin to crack, and the same effect can result from ill-fitting shoes as well.
Obesity can also be a factor, as it increases the pressure on your heels, making cracking more likely. The extra weight also caused your heels to expand further when you stand, putting additional stress on the skin. Add in environmental factors like low-humidity, high-temperatures and exposure to harsh soaps and chemicals, and your skin can get dried out and increase your risk for cracking.
Why Home Remedies Fail
The problem with most home remedies for cracked heels is that they only address the surface problems, not the underlying causes we just revealed. Applying coconut oil or petroleum jelly may temporarily soften the skin, but it won’t address the mechanical factors that caused the cracks in the first place. Removing the cracked skin with a pumice stone also won’t solve the problem—and could actually make things worse. You see, if you aggressively file the skin, your body may produce even more thick skin as a protective response! And if you try to use sharp objects to cut away the skin, you’re putting yourself at risk for infection. So let’s skip these home remedies and try what works.
Taking a Multi-Pronged Approach to Heal Cracked Heels
How we resolve cracked heels will depend on the causes and severity of your condition. Mild cracked heels can often be addressed with moisturizing and footwear changes. But moderate cracking goes deeper than the skin’s surface, and may require more intensive treatment. Severe cracking can become painful, may bleed, and will require professional intervention to prevent complications.
The first step in treatment is always proper debridement. (That’s the removal of thickened, dead skin.) This should be done by a professional who can safely remove the dead skin without damaging healthy tissue. Trying to do this yourself with over-the-counter tools often leads to injury, and will only make the problem worse.
Once the excess skin is removed, the focus shifts to healing and prevention. This is where proper moisturizing becomes crucial. For effective healing, you need products designed specifically for severely dry, cracked skin. Regular body lotions simply aren’t strong enough to penetrate the thick skin of your heels and provide lasting moisture. Medical grade products like Adessa moisturizing heel sleeves will be necessary. They contain a patented gel lining infused with vitamins, nutrients, and essential oils. The sleeve design ensures that the moisturizing ingredients stay in contact with your skin for extended periods, allowing for deep penetration and healing. The sleeve also creates a barrier that prevents moisture loss for lasting results.
But even the best moisturizing products won’t work if you don’t address the underlying mechanical factors that cause the cracking. This is where proper foot wear and foot supports become crucial. You’ll need to wear supportive shoes with closed backs if you want to heal cracked heels. Avoid open-backed shoes during the healing process as they can’t keep pressure off your heels during recovery. Custom orthotics can also be helpful for people with biomechanical issues that contribute to heel pressure. If you have flat feet, high arches or other structural problems, orthotics can redistribute pressure and reduce stress on your heels to allow for healing. Cushioned heels or heel cups can help if you must spend hours on your feet, and weight loss or weight management can support healing if obesity is contributing to your skin cracks.
Ready to heal your cracked heels, with care and guidance that actually works? We want to support you on your journey. Contact Houston podiatrist Dr. Andrew Schneider today to request a consultation.
