Cracked heels are more than a cosmetic concern. When the skin around the heel becomes excessively dry and thick, pressure from standing and walking can cause it to split, creating small fissures. These cracks may feel rough or uncomfortable, and deeper fissures can become painful or even bleed.
Fortunately, many cases of cracked heels can be improved with the right combination of skin care, footwear changes, and treatment of any underlying condition.
Key Takeaways
- Cracked heels could be the result of dry skin or tinea pedis, more commonly known as athlete’s foot
- When dry skin is the problem, daily moisturizing and avoiding open-backed sandals can help restore skin health and prevent or treat heel cracks
- If tinea pedis is to blame, Tolcylen products or other anti-fungals, available in our Long Island podiatrist’s office, will heal the cracks and prevent further complications
![A foot with dry, cracked heels]()
Table of Contents
What Causes Cracked Heels?
Cracked heels develop when the skin around your heel becomes dry, thick, and less flexible. As you place pressure on the heel during everyday activities, that dry skin can begin to separate.
Several factors can contribute to that separation:
Dry Skin
Dryness is one of the most common causes of heel cracking. Cold weather, low humidity, long hot showers, and harsh soaps can strip moisture from the skin. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends limiting long baths and showers and moisturizing shortly after bathing to help protect dry heel skin.
Open-Backed Sandals and Flip-Flops
Your favorite summer shoes may also contribute to the problem.
Open-backed shoes such as sandals, flip-flops, and slingbacks provide less support around your heel. Then, the heel can spread outward as you walk, slapping against your shoe bottom and increasing pressure on already dry or thickened skin.
Now, you don’t have to give up sandals altogether. But we suggest limiting time spent in open-backed styles, choosing more supportive options instead. (Some of these spring shoe styles would be excellent options.)
Standing and Pressure on the Feet
Spending long periods standing, especially on hard surfaces, places repeated pressure on the heel. When the surrounding skin is already dry or callused, that pressure makes fissures more likely.
Thick or Callused Skin
Calluses are areas of thickened skin that develop in response to repeated pressure or friction. When this thicker skin becomes dry and inflexible, cracks can begin to develop.
Tinea Pedis, or Athlete’s Foot
Not every “dry” foot is simply dry because the skin has lost moisture.
In some cases, the actual problem is tinea pedis, or athlete’s foot, a fungal infection that can cause scaling, itching, burning, and cracking of the skin. It often affects the spaces between your toes, but it can also affect the soles and sides of the feet.
This distinction matters because, if your cracked heels are caused by athlete’s foot, moisturizer alone will not address your infection. When tinea pedis is contributing to the cracking, an antifungal treatment may be necessary.
How to Treat Cracked Heels
The best treatment depends on why your heels are cracking.
1. Moisturize Consistently
Moisturizing is one of the most important steps for treating dry, cracked heels.
Apply moisturizer shortly after bathing, while your skin is still slightly damp. Products containing ingredients such as urea, alpha hydroxy acids, or salicylic acid can be especially helpful for thick, dry heel skin because they both soften and moisturize it.
At night, applying petroleum jelly to your heels before putting on a pair of socks can also help lock moisture into the skin.
2. Protect Open Cracks
Deeper heel fissures need protection while they heal. If you come into our Long Island podiatry practice, we may use a liquid bandage or other form of covering on heel cracks to create a protective barrier and reduce your risk for bleeding and infections.
3. Choose More Supportive Footwear
If your heels are repeatedly cracking, take a look at your shoes.
Try wearing properly fitting shoes that support and contain your heel rather than allowing it to spread outward and slap the shoe base. Rotating away from flip-flops and open-backed sandals, particularly when you’ll be standing or walking for long periods, may make a meaningful difference.
What If Fungus Is Causing Heel Cracks?
If your cracking is accompanied by itching, burning, scaling, peeling, or changes between the toes, athlete’s foot may be contributing to the problem. If fungal infections are to blame for your cracked heels, we have the ideal product available in our podiatry practice in Massapequa: Tolcylen® Keratolytic/Antifungal Cream.
This cream contains tolnaftate 1% as its active antifungal ingredient, along with urea, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, and lactic acid that help address dry, thickened skin. In combination, it attacks your fungal infection while exfoliating and moisturizing your skin, helping lock in the moisture to heal cracks and prevent further damage.
Preventing Cracked Heels From Coming Back
Once the cracks in your heels improve, a few habits can help keep them that way:
- Moisturize your heels regularly rather than waiting for them to become severely dry.
- Avoid spending excessive time in hot baths or showers.
- Wear supportive, properly fitting shoes for extended periods of walking or standing.
- Limit frequent use of unsupportive open-backed sandals and flip-flops if you are prone to heel fissures.
- Keep your feet clean and dry, especially the areas between your toes.
- Change socks regularly and allow shoes to dry between uses.
- Treat athlete’s foot promptly if it develops.
When Should You See Our Long Island Podiatrists?
Seek professional care if heel cracks are deep, painful, bleeding, repeatedly returning, or not improving with home care. You should also be evaluated if the skin around your heels becomes red, warm, swollen, or shows signs of drainage, as these symptoms could indicate infection.
If you have diabetes, poor circulation, or reduced sensation in your feet due to neuropathy, you should be especially cautious about treating cracks or calluses, before cracks form in your heels. For more information and for help with any foot health concerns, we encourage you to contact our office to request a consultation with Dr. Mark Gasparini or Dr. Novneet Chhabra.