Heel Cracks: Causes, Problems, and How to Treat Them
- My Family Podiatry
- Sep 2, 2025
- 3 min read
Cracked heels, sometimes called heel fissures, are a common problem we see in clinic. For some people, they are simply a cosmetic issue. For others, they can be painful, bleed, and even lead to infection.
At My Family Podiatry in Albany Creek, we regularly treat patients with cracked heels. Whether you are struggling with dry, unsightly skin or painful deep fissures, there are effective ways to manage the problem and prevent it from coming back.
How Do Heel Cracks Develop?
Heel cracks form when the skin on the bottom or back of the heel becomes dry, thickened, or loses its natural elasticity. As pressure builds during standing and walking, the skin splits.
Contributors include:
Dry skin (xerosis): Common in Brisbane’s hot climate and in people with naturally low skin hydration.
Thick callus formation: Excessive hard skin at the heel edge is prone to splitting.
Footwear: Open-backed shoes, sandals, and thongs allow fat pad expansion, stressing the heel skin.
Prolonged standing: Spending long hours on hard surfaces increases risk.
Medical conditions: Diabetes, psoriasis and eczema can all worsen heel cracks.
Why Heel Cracks Are a Problem
Heel cracks may look minor but they can quickly cause complications.
Pain: Even shallow cracks can sting with each step, especially on hard floors.
Bleeding and infection: Deep fissures can open into living skin, allowing bacteria in. For patients with diabetes or poor circulation, this is especially risky.
Appearance: Many patients feel self-conscious wearing sandals or going barefoot.
Reduced mobility: Painful cracks can limit walking or exercise, affecting quality of life.
Heel cracks are especially concerning in diabetic patients. The reduced circulation and sensation increases the risk of nasty infections developing in the feet, even leading to more serious complications like amputations.
What Podiatrists Can Do for Heel Cracks
At My Family Podiatry, treatment for cracked heels is tailored to severity:
Debridement: We carefully remove hard callus with sterile instruments, reducing skin tension and allowing cracks to heal.
Padding and strapping: In severe cases, we may use dressings to offload pressure and support healing.
Footwear advice: Guidance on choosing shoes that support the heel and reduce skin stress.
Orthotics: If foot posture contributes to excessive heel pressure, custom orthotics may help. This is particularly relevant if the cracking is more on one side of the heel due to the way you stand or walk.
Skin care advice: Recommending the right emollients, such as Revive Daily, to prevent recurrence.
At-Home Care and Prevention
The key to preventing heel cracks is keeping the skin hydrated and protected.
Moisturising daily
Apply a foot cream with urea for hydration and gentle exfoliation. At My Family Podiatry, we recommend Revive Daily, which contains 30% urea and 2% salicylic acid. This combination helps soften thickened skin while deeply hydrating.
Choosing the right footwear
Avoid thongs and open-backed shoes if you suffer frequent heel cracks.
Select supportive footwear that holds the heel pad in place.
Foot hygiene
Wash feet daily and dry thoroughly.
Avoid prolonged soaking and harsh soaps, which can strip natural oils.
Regular podiatry visits
For patients prone to callus build-up, routine visits keep skin manageable.
High-risk patients with diabetes should book at least annual checks.
When to See a Podiatrist
You should book an appointment if:
Cracks are painful, bleeding, or infected.
You have diabetes, circulation problems, or neuropathy.
Home treatments have not improved the problem.
Cracks keep returning despite regular moisturising.
Professional care ensures both short-term relief and long-term prevention.
Heel cracks are common but they do not have to be painful or embarrassing. With the right combination of podiatry treatment, footwear, and daily moisturising, they can be effectively managed and prevented.
At My Family Podiatry in Albany Creek, we help patients across Brisbane recover from cracked heels and keep their feet healthy.
Call our clinic today on (07) 3088 6116 or click the button below to book your appointment.
Comments