Fixing Heel Fissures

Dry, cracked heels (known as heel fissures) can not only be unsightly, but can often be source of pain and embarrassment. Did you know a podiatrist can remove the dead skin from your feet leaving them soft, smooth and pain free?

While most cracking and splitting is ultimately caused by dry skin, there can be more to the problem than meets the eye. Most dry skin left untreated on the heels leads to thickening of the skin, also known as calluses, which crack and break under pressure. A podiatrist can safely remove the thickened skin, without risking infection, provide you with information on what sort of creams are best for your skin type as well as rule out more serious health conditions. While patients suffering from heel fissures are more comfortable in open backed shoes or flip flops this footwear actually tends to leave the feet exposed to dry air making the problem worse.

Genetics, skin conditions such as psoriasis, obesity, pregnancy, walking gait, ill fitted shoes, climate, diseases and hormone imbalances can all play a role in heel fissures. Some people also have a large fatty pad on the sole of their feet, which requires more elasticity in the skin to expand without cracking making their feet more susceptible to heel fissures.

At home treatments and DIY suggestions can be helpful, but once heel fissures become severe and include deep painful cracking and bleeding infection becomes a big risk. Heel fissures flare up with winter and cause many people pain. Erase your aches by seeing us.

Call for an appointment today! 
West Ashley: 843-225-5575
Mount pleasant: 843-654-8250