CRACKED HEELS
Dry, thickened heel skin that splits, catches or bleeds?
Cracked heels (heel fissures) occur when dry, thickened skin around the heel rim loses elasticity and splits under body weight. Our podiatrists safely debride the hard ridge and restore skin integrity
COMMON SYMPTOMS
Does any of this sound familiar?
Cracked heels range from superficial roughness to deep, painful fissures:
- Thick, hard, yellow or brown callus ringing the edge of the heel
- Vertical cracks or splits in the skin along the heel rim
- Sharp, stinging pain when taking your first steps or bearing weight
- Deep fissures that catch on socks, bedsheets, or bleed
- Redness or inflammation within the cracks, indicating infection risk
- Embarrassment wearing sandals, flip-flops, or open-backed shoes
Clinical debridement of the hard ridge allows the cracks to close and heal.
Deep fissures should be treated professionally to prevent bacterial entry.
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POSSIBLE CAUSES
What causes cracked heels?
Heel splits occur when pressure forces rigid, inelastic callus to separate:
Open-backed footwear
Sandals, slippers, and flip-flops allow the heel fat pad to expand sideways, stretching skin.
Skin dehydration
Loss of natural moisture turns the skin rigid, making it unable to stretch under walking impact.
Prolonged standing
Standing on hard tile, concrete, or stone floors places constant tension on the heel rim.
Underlying health factors
Thyroid conditions, diabetes, eczema, and ageing skin can reduce natural oil production.
WHEN TO SEEK ASSESSMENT
When should you consider getting cracked heels checked?
Consider arranging an assessment if:
- Cracks have penetrated deep enough to bleed or cause walking pain
- Over-the-counter heel balms have made little difference
- You notice redness, swelling, or signs of localized infection
- You have diabetes or reduced circulation (deep fissures pose high risk)
- You want the thick callus rim removed professionally and safely
YOUR APPOINTMENT
What happens when you come to see us?
We safely debride the thick, rigid callus rim so the splits can knit together and heal
We assess
Your podiatrist checks fissure depth and rules out active bacterial or fungal infection.
We debride
The thick callus ridge is gently planed down, relieving tension on the fissure edges.
We treat & dress
Antiseptic care and medical-grade emollient or strapping are applied where appropriate.
We guide
You receive specific advice on urea-based creams and footwear to maintain smooth heels.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Treatment depends on what we find
Treatment removes the physical mechanical barrier to healing:
Not every treatment is appropriate for every patient. Your podiatrist will discuss suitable options after assessment.
- Painless clinical callus debridement & edge reduction
- Medical antiseptic dressings for open fissures
- Heel strapping or silicone heel cups for pressure offloading
- Prescription-strength urea emollient recommendations
- Footwear guidance (closed-heel support)
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OUR CLINICIANS
You'll be seen by our podiatry team
Our clinicians assess a wide range of foot, ankle and lower-limb problems and will explain your options clearly.
Matthew Francis
Clinical Director / Managing Podiatrist
Megan Kelly
General & High Risk Foot Podiatrist
Yaw Nimoh
MSK, Sports & Advanced Practice Podiatrist
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FAQ
Cracked heels FAQs
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