Dry, cracked heels

The skin on your heel is naturally thicker and dryer than the skin on the rest of your body. Unlike the rest of your body the skin under your foot does not have any oil glands which causes it to dry out and split more easily. There are many reasons why we suffer from dry, cracked heels and we consider some of the main triggers below.

Open-backed or poorly fitting shoes are one of the most common reasons people suffer with cracked heels. When our shoes are ill-fitting the fat pad on our heel expands sideways and this causes extra pressure on the bottom of our feet. The skin becomes inflamed and this in turn leads to dryness and cracking.

With many of us leading busy lives we spend a lot of time on our feet. If you exercise a lot or spend vast quantities of your day standing you will be more likely to suffer with dry heels.

As our skin ages it loses its natural elasticity and tends to dry out quicker, the fat pad on our heel that provides cushioning and support also becomes thinner. The pressure from walking and standing causes more strain on the heel ultimately causing it to become dry and cracked.

Many of the soaps that we use everyday contain chemicals that are actually very drying for our skin. Chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulphate, parabens and synthetic fragrances are best avoided if you are prone to suffering with dry skin on your heels.

The temperature of the water that you wash your feet in can cause further irritation. Regularly washing your feet in very hot water dehydrates the skin and causes your heels to become dry, sore and cracked.

There are many excellent home remedies for treating dry feet and cracked heels that won’t cost you a fortune. Using easy to find, natural products in your cupboards that you have at home is all you need to get started.

• Exfoliation: Regular exfoliation of your feet and heels will help to remove any dead dry skin and prevent the build-up of thick skin on your heels. There are many different types of exfoliating products available from foot scrubs, to loofahs and electronic skin removers.
• Soaking: A regular foot soak will also help to keep your skin soft and supple. Soaking your heels in a warm bath with natural ingredients that contain antibacterial properties such as honey, vinegar or tea tree oil will keep your heels healthy and prevent them from cracking.
• Heel balms and moisturisers: Use an intensive specialist healing cream when your cracked heels are at their worst. Choose a cream that has a high percentage of Urea, which helps prevent the skin from losing water and encourages the dead skin to gently fall off. Once your heel cracks have improved, maintaining a regular daily moisturising routine will help to prevent your feet from becoming dry and cracked again.
• Pedicure: This is the perfect way to give your feet and heels some love and attention. Our detailed 10-step pedicure guide tells you everything you need to know about creating the perfect home pedicure to get your dry heels in tip top shape.

We say that prevention is better than cure and making a few small changes to your footwear and foot care regime will help prevent you from suffering with dry cracked heels.

Check that your shoes are well fitted and supportive around your heel and ankle. Try to avoid wearing sandals as these often do not provide enough support around your heel.

Using custom made insoles which will help to ensure your feet are perfectly positioned in your shoes, helping to cushion your heel and ensure pressure is spread evenly over your whole foot.

If you spend many hours wearing high heels each day you are unfortunately more likely to suffer with cracked heels. Read our 'How to wear high heels and platforms without straining your feet' article for top tips and advice on how best to prevent putting excessive pressure on your feet.

Your choice of socks are important and can make a big difference to the health of your feet and heels. Choosing socks that are made from natural, breathable products such as cotton, bamboo and wool will help prevent your heels drying out from excessive sweating and becoming cracked.