Dry, cracked heels: why they happen and what helps

Dry, cracked heels are common and usually more of a nuisance than a problem. The skin on the heel is thick and takes the weight of every step, so when it dries out it loses its give and splits along the edge. The good news is that most cases respond well to a little steady care.

Below you will find what causes the cracks, a routine that works for most people, how to choose a cream, the mistakes that set progress back, and the signs that mean you should stop treating your heels at home and have them looked at.

Why heels crack

Cracks form when thick, dry skin is put under pressure and cannot stretch. Several everyday things make that more likely:

• Open-backed shoes and sandals, which let the heel spread sideways with each step.
• Standing for long periods, especially on hard floors.
• Long hot baths or showers and harsh soaps, which strip the skin of oil.
• Dry indoor air, particularly when the heating is on.
• Not moisturising, or moisturising only now and then.

Some skin conditions and health issues can also play a part, which is one reason persistent cracks are worth mentioning to a doctor.

Who is more prone to them

Anyone can get dry heels, but some people find they come back more readily. Skin tends to produce less oil with age, so heels that were never a concern can start to crack later in life. People who spend the working day on their feet, or who walk barefoot a great deal, put the heel under more pressure. Carrying more weight increases the load on the heel too.

None of this means cracks are inevitable. It does mean that if you recognise yourself here, a regular routine is more useful to you than an occasional rescue effort.

A simple nightly routine

1. Wash and dry. Use lukewarm water and a mild cleanser, then pat your feet dry.
2. Smooth gently, a few times a week. A light pass with a foot file or pumice on dry skin, a few strokes only, removes loose surface skin.
3. Moisturise generously. A thick foot cream, ideally one with a softening ingredient such as urea, works better than a light body lotion. Avoid the spaces between the toes.
4. Seal it in. Pull on a pair of clean cotton socks and leave them on overnight.

Consistency matters more than any single product. Most people notice softer skin within a couple of weeks of doing this every night. Once your heels are comfortable, you can usually ease back to moisturising most nights and smoothing once a week, rather than stopping altogether.

Choosing a foot cream

Ordinary body lotion is mostly water and sinks in quickly, which is pleasant on arms and legs but does little for thick heel skin. Look instead for a cream or balm made for feet. Useful ingredients fall into two groups: those that soften hard skin, such as urea, and those that hold moisture in, such as glycerin or a richer, oil-based base.

Creams with a higher strength of a softening ingredient can sting on skin that is already cracked open. If that happens, switch to a plain, rich moisturiser until the cracks have closed, and stop using anything that leaves the skin red or sore.

Why over-filing makes it worse

It is tempting to file hard skin away in one go. The trouble is that thick skin on the heel is the body’s response to pressure. Remove too much and the skin responds by building up again, often faster and thicker than before. Aggressive filing can also leave the skin raw or open small cracks further. Little and often is the rule, and blades or razors should never be used on your own feet.

A few other habits undo good work:

• Filing heels while they are wet and soft, which removes far more than you intend.
• Soaking feet for a long time, which softens the skin briefly and then leaves it drier.
• Picking or peeling at loose skin around a crack, which can deepen it.
• Applying cream only when the heels already hurt, then stopping as soon as they feel better.

Footwear and daily habits

What you wear between evenings matters as much as what you do at night. Shoes with a closed, supportive back hold the heel in shape and stop it spreading sideways. If you love sandals, alternate them with closed shoes rather than wearing them every day, and moisturise before you put them on.

Keep showers warm rather than hot, use a mild cleanser, and dry your feet properly, including between the toes. At home, slippers or socks on hard floors reduce the pressure on the heel. Drinking enough water is good for you generally, but it will not by itself fix dry heels; the skin needs moisture applied from the outside.

What a pedicure can and cannot do

A pedicure leaves your feet looking and feeling cared for, with neat nails and moisturised skin. It is a grooming treatment, though, not a treatment for deep fissures or skin conditions. If your heels are only dry and a little rough, regular pedicures and a home routine work well together. You may find our guide to toenail care at home useful alongside this one.

If your heels have open cracks, mention them when you book and when you arrive. It may be kinder to wait until the skin has closed, and anything deep or sore should be seen by a podiatrist first. For keeping the rest of your feet in order, how often to have a pedicure sets out a sensible rhythm.

Questions people ask

Are socks overnight really necessary? They are not essential, but they keep the cream on your skin rather than on the bedding and help it work for longer. Clean cotton socks are best.

Should I use a pumice stone or a foot file? Either is fine if used gently on dry skin, a few strokes at a time. Keep it clean, let it dry between uses, and replace it when it wears down.

Why do my heels get worse at certain times of year? Warmer weather usually brings more open shoes, and colder months bring heated, drier indoor air. Both dry the skin, so it helps to keep the routine going all year rather than only when cracks appear.

Can I wear polish on my toes while my heels are healing? Yes. Polish on the nails does not affect the skin on your heels.

Should I cover a crack with a plaster? A clean dressing over a small, shallow crack can protect it from rubbing while it settles. Cracks that are deep, painful or bleeding should be seen by a doctor or podiatrist rather than managed at home.

When to see a doctor or podiatrist

See a doctor or podiatrist rather than treating at home if:

• Cracks are deep, painful or bleeding.
• The skin is red, hot, swollen or weeping, which can be signs of infection.
• The cracks do not improve after a few weeks of regular moisturising.
• You have diabetes or poor circulation. Even small cracks can matter, so have your feet checked before trying to file or treat them yourself.

A short checklist

• Moisturise heels every night with a rich foot cream, then wear cotton socks.
• Smooth dry skin lightly a few times a week, never wet, never with a blade.
• Choose closed-back shoes most days and keep showers warm, not hot.
• Ease off strong creams if they sting, and use a plain rich moisturiser instead.
• Have deep, painful or infected cracks seen by a doctor or podiatrist.

Once your skin is comfortable, a regular pedicure, or a manicure and pedicure together, helps keep it that way.