Dry skin is not uncommon and everyone will experience it at some point in their lives. While having dry skin is not a dangerous condition, an infection can arise as an issue if the skin becomes cracked or bleeding. In a place as delicate as your foot where bacteria is most likely to enter, it’s best to resolve the issue before it becomes a major problem down the line.
 
Dry skin can happen to us all, but certain conditions and personal factors may lead to it being more common in certain people. Individuals with the following are more at risk for developing dry or cracked heels:
 
Older in age
 
Shoes which are too small or ill fitted
 
Eczema or other skin conditions
 
Thyroid disease
 
Diabetes
 
The one surefire way to cure dry feet is to moisturize with proper creams that are specifically used to target the feet, especially in the case of the heels where the skin is thicker and requires something that can deeply penetrate the surface of the heel. Lotions are best to be avoided as some brands contain alcohol which can further dry out the skin and not have any healing effect.
 
Additionally, keep these things in mind when treating dry skin and cracked heels:
 
Before applying any creams or ointments, exfoliate the area with a pumice stone to clear away and dead or dry skin
 
If applying the cream or ointment before bed, wear a pair of socks as this will allow your feet to better absorb the moisturizer
 
Wear proper shoes to avoid friction and double layer your socks for extra padding and comfort while your feet are healing
 
Be careful that you don’t apply moisturizers, ointments, or creams between your toes as the added moisture may lead to Athlete’s Foot which is much harder to fix than a cracked heel
 
If, for whatever reason, your heels do not heal after a set period of time, contact us for a consultation and we’ll find out if there is a more deep-rooted issue.