Our Skilled Podiatrists Can Heal Your Cracked Heels
Cracked heels can easily ruin your day due to the painful symptoms and unsightly nature of this condition. Our podiatrists at Foot & Ankle Centers of Frisco, Little Elm, & McKinney are ready to help heal your cracked heels and keep your feet looking and feeling their best.
What Are Cracked Heels?
Cracked heels are a condition that is linked to the build-up of heel calluses or simply a build-up of dry dead skin. Healthy skin tends to be supple and flexible, whereas dry skin becomes rigid and will often start splitting due to the pressure placed on your feet. If left untreated, cracked heels can become severe enough to develop open wounds that have a higher chance of infection.
Many symptoms of this painful condition include foot discomfort, increased pain when pressure is applied to the foot, itchiness, and a white, dry appearance of dead skin on the heels of your feet. It is common for cracked heels to develop due to multiple circumstances, such as:
- Staying on your feet for long periods of time
- Wearing hard, unsupportive footwear, like flip-flops and open-backed sandals
- Constantly walking around barefoot
- Biomechanical or foot disorders that result in excessive pressure on the heels
- Taking hot, prolonged showers
- Being overweight
- Medical conditions like diabetes
What Home Care Tips Will My Podiatrist Recommend To Prevent Cracked Heels?
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As callus begins to develop on your heels, see one of our podiatrists to safely remove the dead dry skin, before it builds up and starts cracking.
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Moisturize your feet daily, but keep the area between your toes dry.
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Wear footwear that protects and supports your feet. Avoid extended use of flip-flops, sandals without an enclosed heel, or going barefoot.
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Keep your foot protected by wearing stockings or socks when possible.
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Keep hydrated to prevent your skin from drying out and cracking.
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Daily exercises to improve circulation can help heal any heel cracks and discourage further cracking.
Our Skilled Podiatrists Can Heal Your Cracked Heels
Our expert podiatrists at Foot & Ankle Centers of Frisco, Little Elm, & McKinney can help identify and create a treatment plan to heal your cracked heels. Most treatments will begin with the removal of hard, dry skin that has built up. This callus could be hiding underlying problems or infections that have contributed to your foot pain. After reducing the thickened callus to a manageable level and providing proper treatment to any open or infected wounds, your podiatrists will create a proactive treatment plan to heal and prevent future cracked heels.
Most treatments will begin by recommending a strong urea based moisturizer that should be applied to the foot daily, but not between the toes. Then a change of footwear may be discussed in order to provide your feet more protection. Follow-up appointments may be required to help maintain healthy callus levels and to ensure that any open or infected wounds are properly healing.