Heal Cracked Heels

The tires on your car provide the traction and support to take you from A to B. And, if the rubber becomes cracked and dry, the problem needs to be addressed as it can pose a risk to one’s safety and well-being.

Well, your feet take you from A to B as well. And, at this time of year in particular, they can become excessively dry and cracked in the heels and other high-pressure areas.

Cracked heels before treatment at
Kawartha Total Foot Care Centre

Cracked heels are also known as fissures, and the cold and dry of winter makes for conditions when they can be especially problematic. Cracked heels can develop to the point that they bleed and become very painful. For people with diabetes, circulatory, or other conditions that result in weakened immunity, cracked heels provide an open doorway to potentially serious bacterial, viral, and fungal infections and should always be addressed promptly by your chiropodist. 



After only one treatment at
Kawartha Total Foot Care Centre

There are some things people can do at home to help prevent and treat cracked heels. Don’t go barefoot around the house. Use a pair of indoor shoes or slippers. Make sure to wear well-fitting, high-quality winter footwear outdoors. Avoid excessively hot baths, since these will dry the skin. People with diabetes or other conditions that can result in reduced nerve sensation should avoid hot baths anyway, due to the risk of burns.

However, for many people these tips will not be enough on their own, and they will still experience cracked heels. Our chiropodists can help, and patients are often surprised when they arrive with even a severe case of cracked heels how they can leave with feet that are “baby’s bottom” smooth. Beyond treatment of the cracked areas themselves, your chiropodist may employ intensive in-clinic moisturizing therapies as a preventative means to address the dryness and cracking. He or she may also provide or recommend a proper moisturizer for home use, since most off-the-shelf moisturizers are not strong enough for the extra thick skin of your feet. Structural foot problems that create friction and cause the build-up of callus and dry skin in the cracked areas are another area that your chiropodist may identify and treat.  

William Shakespeare wrote, ““Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage! Blow!” With your chiropodist’s help, at least your feet can be crack-free despite winter’s cold, dry winds.

For more information on your good foot health, you can always visit the Kawartha Total Foot Care Centre web site.