Heel cracks; a painful foot problem

Table of contents

1. What are cracks?
2. How do heel cracks develop?
3. What causes heel cracks?
4. What can you do about heel cracks?
5. 5 tips to prevent heel cracks
6. 5 tips to treat heel cracks

What are cracks? 

Cracks in the heel or heel cracks are tears or fissures in the skin around your heels. This is caused by a combination of (very) dry skin and excessive callus formation. Walking and standing create increased pressure on the sole of the foot, which can cause the callus to crack. Multiple small cracks and vertical fissures can develop in the heels, and in some cases, deeper cracks can even leave the skin slightly open. This can lead to unsightly, painful, and even bleeding cracked heels. Walking and standing become painful because the pressure on the heel keeps the cracks open. If there are also symptoms such as redness, warmth, and swelling, there may be an infection. 

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How do heel cracks develop?

The main factors in the development of heel cracks are excessive callus formation, dry skin, and pressure.

1. Excessive callus formation: Our skin renews itself and continuously produces new skin cells from within. The skin grows from the inside out. Callus formation is a natural process of accumulating dead skin cells. The outermost layer of the skin (the stratum corneum) consists of dead skin cells that also wear away. Calluses are caused by friction and pressure and are therefore also partially worn away. A layer of callus protects the skin from external influences, such as excessive pressure. But if too much localized callus develops on the feet because more skin is built up than is worn away, this can also cause additional pressure and discomfort. Examples include callus bumps that make shoes uncomfortable, corns (callus pins), and sometimes heel cracks that develop within the callus.
2. Dry and inelastic skin is one of the main causes of heel cracks. If the skin's moisture balance is significantly reduced, the heel will develop thick, hard skin as a form of protection. This makes the skin unable to heal properly.
3. Pressure on the heels. Our heels, together with the forefoot, bear our entire weight and are subjected to considerable daily strain. The amount of pressure and friction depends on the weight placed on the heels, the surface on which the heel rests, and the extent to which you stand and move. Excess body weight puts more pressure on the joints and feet. Well-fitting shoes with a pre-shaped footbed distribute pressure better than flat soles. Walking or running frequently can also promote callus formation. Whether with or without shoes (barefoot), walking creates pressure and friction on the feet. Walking and running barefoot also causes the callus to wear away more quickly. 

 

What causes heel cracks?

Why do some people suffer from this so often while others have never heard of the problem? It is not always possible to say exactly. Sometimes it has to do with a genetic predisposition, but the following factors are known to influence the development of heel cracks;

1. overweight
2. sweaty feet
3. wearing open shoes such as slippers and sandals and walking barefoot (drying out)
4. poorly fitting footwear without a supportive footbed
5. prolonged standing (especially on a hard surface)
6. a foot alignment problem
7. reduced fat pad under the foot (as we get older)
8. diabetes
9. a predisposition to psoriasis and eczema
10. hormonal changes 
11. medication use (reduced blood circulation)
12. low humidity (cold winters and hot summers)
13. a deficiency in certain vitamins and minerals

What can you do about heel cracks?

If you suffer from cracks, you will want to know what can be done about them. Will you take matters into your own hands to remove or reduce the cracks, or would you rather seek professional help? Read our tips below on how to prevent cracks and, if you do suffer from them, how to treat them.

5 tips to prevent heel cracks;

1. Remove excess callus in a timely manner. Have this done by a podiatrist if you visit one regularly. Would you rather remove callus yourself? This can easily be done after a bath or shower with a pumice stone, file, or rasp. If it is not too severe, rubbing it thoroughly dry with a rough towel is often enough.
2. Care for your feet daily with a moisturizing cream. It may seem excessive, but many people apply cream to their face every day. Your feet often have to endure much more! The foot cream helps the skin resist drying out better. Supple, elastic skin does not develop callus quickly.
3. Wear well-fitting shoes with a footbed that supports the heel. 
4. Avoid walking barefoot or in slippers. If you do, be sure to apply an extra layer of cream to your heels once a day.
5. If possible, change your shoes regularly. Shoes with different heel heights apply pressure to different parts of the heel.

Also take a look at our Degros heel crack treatment special offer package. This gives you everything you need to reduce heel cracks yourself and prevent new cracks from forming. 

5 tips to treat heel cracks

1. Remove the excess callus around the edge of the heel. This is absolutely necessary. As long as this hardened and thickened skin is not removed, the cracks cannot heal. It is best to have this done by a (medical) podiatrist, who knows exactly how much callus needs to be cut or drilled away. If you do it yourself, make sure to work very gradually so that you do not remove too much. You can carefully remove the edges of the cracks with a scalpel blade and file or rasp the rest until the skin feels supple again.
2. Apply a special crack cream or crack ointment to the heels, such as Laufwunder Schrundena Crack Ointment or Gehwol med Crack Ointment. These creams are quite greasy and are best covered with a plaster or bandage because they need time to absorb. These greasy creams often contain urea or lactate as a natural moisturizing ingredient.
3. See your GP in case of an infection. The GP will assess whether antibiotics should be prescribed. 
4. For recurring problems, visit a podiatrist to have therapeutic insoles or therapy socks with a cushioning gel fitted.
5. Apply honey ointment to the cracks. Honey works as a natural remedy for cracks due to its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Research has shown that honey can help clean and heal wounds. It is also moisturizing. Various honey ointments are available, such as the Mesitran soft honey gel from Klinion.