Causes of Dry Cracked Heels: Why It Happens and What Helps

Dry, cracked heels—heel fissures—occur when skin around the heel becomes thick, dry, and brittle enough to split. What starts as roughness can hurt, bleed, and even get infected. Often it’s dryness and pressure, but footwear, habits, and certain conditions can weaken the skin barrier.

This guide breaks down why heels crack and what helps. We’ll cover the skin-and-pressure link, everyday triggers you can change, medical and nutritional factors, who’s most at risk, warning signs of infection, a step‑by‑step home routine, ingredients and footwear, and when to see a podiatrist.

How dry, cracked heels develop (the skin and pressure connection)

With every step, your heel’s fat pad compresses and spreads sideways. When the outer skin is dry and thickened into a stiff callus, it loses elasticity. The sideways pull from that fat pad tugs on the brittle rim of skin until it splits—first as tiny lines, then deeper fissures. Open-backed shoes and long hours standing let the heel pad splay more, widening cracks. Hot showers and harsh soaps further dry the barrier. Once split, the skin can bleed and invite infection, especially in diabetes. Understanding this skin‑plus‑pressure cycle explains the common causes of dry cracked heels.

Everyday triggers you can change (habits, footwear, and environment)

Everyday habits can fuel the skin‑and‑pressure loop that splits the heel. Tweak these and you’ll tackle the most fixable causes of dry cracked heels.

• Open‑back, unsupportive shoes let the heel pad splay and fissures widen.
• Standing long on hard floors drives pressure and callus build‑up.
• Going barefoot removes support, increasing heel pad splay.
• Hot showers and harsh soaps strip protective oils.
• Cold, dry weather dehydrates skin quickly.
• Skipping daily moisturizer leaves skin brittle and prone to splitting.

Medical conditions linked to cracked heels (diabetes, thyroid, skin disease, fungus)

Sometimes heel fissures point to more than habits—they reflect conditions that dry the skin, change pressure, or slow healing. If cracks are deep, painful, or recurrent, screening for these issues matters. The following are well‑documented causes of dry cracked heels and can make infections more likely if splits are ignored.

• Diabetes: Higher infection risk; deep cracks can progress to ulcers.
• Hypothyroidism: Reduced skin oils lead to dryness and thickening.
• Athlete’s foot (fungus): Scaling and itch break the heel barrier.
• Psoriasis or eczema: Inflamed, scaly skin fissures easily.
• Sjögren’s syndrome: Low body moisture predisposes to splits.
• Heel spurs/structural pressure: Added pressure widens existing cracks.

Could it be a nutrient deficiency? What the evidence says

Deficiencies aren’t the most common causes of dry cracked heels; dryness and pressure are. Still, shortfalls in skin‑repair nutrients can worsen dryness: vitamin C, E, B3 (niacin), zinc, and omega‑3s are cited in podiatry and health sources. Eat a balanced diet, hydrate, and discuss persistent fissures or restrictive diets with your clinician—avoid self‑supplement megadoses.

Who is most at risk

Some people face the causes of dry, cracked heels more often because their skin dries faster, pressure is higher, or healing is slower. If you’re in these groups, act early.

• Older adults — thinner, drier skin.
• Diabetes — higher infection risk, slower healing.
• Skin disorders (athlete’s foot, psoriasis, eczema) or hypothyroidism — drier, scaly skin.
• Long standing on hard floors, open‑back shoes, or excess weight — more heel pressure.

Symptoms to watch for and warning signs of infection

Cracked heels often start as dry, rough skin. As callus stiffens and splits, you may feel pain when standing, itchiness, and flaking; deeper fissures can bleed. These signs reflect the same skin‑and‑pressure causes of dry cracked heels. Watch closely, because open splits can let in bacteria and lead to cellulitis—especially if you have diabetes.

• Pain with standing or walking
• Itching and flaky, thickened skin at the heel rim
• Cracks that widen, deepen, or bleed
• Redness, warmth, or swelling around fissures
• Drainage, pus, or a foul odor from the crack
• Spreading redness, fever, or increasing pain—seek urgent care, especially with diabetes

What helps at home: a step-by-step care routine

Most heels heal with consistent care that restores moisture, reduces pressure, and protects splits. This routine targets the root drivers behind the most common causes of dry cracked heels—dry, stiff skin plus mechanical stress—and usually shows improvement in about a week.

1. Soak smart (10–20 minutes): Use lukewarm, soapy water. Avoid hot water, which strips oils.
2. Exfoliate gently: Lightly buff thick skin with a pumice or foot file; go with the grain. Do not cut callus at home.
3. Dry thoroughly: Pat dry, especially between toes, to limit moisture-related problems.
4. Moisturize immediately: Apply a thick heel balm or petroleum jelly while skin is still damp to seal in water.
5. Use active balms daily: Choose products formulated for heel fissures (see ingredients in the next section) and apply 2–3 times per day.
6. Overnight lock-in: Reapply a heavy layer and wear clean, cotton socks to boost penetration.
7. Protect minor splits: For small, shallow cracks, a liquid bandage can reduce pain and help edges seal.
8. Reduce daytime pressure: Favor closed‑back, cushioned shoes to limit heel-pad splay; avoid prolonged standing on hard floors when possible.
9. Mind your habits: Keep showers shorter, use gentle soap, hydrate, and inspect heels daily—especially if you have diabetes.
10. Know when to escalate: If cracks are deep, bleeding, show redness/warmth/swelling, or don’t improve after a week, contact a podiatrist promptly.

Ingredients that work for heel fissures (what to look for on labels)

Because the main causes of dry cracked heels are a parched barrier and stiff callus, pick products that both soften thick skin and seal in moisture. A smart combo is a keratolytic (to loosen dead skin) plus a humectant (to draw water) topped with an occlusive (to lock it in).

Some actives can sting on broken skin; avoid applying strong exfoliants into deep, bleeding cracks and stop if irritated. If you have diabetes or severe fissures, consult a podiatrist before using high‑strength formulas.

• Urea (≈10–15%): Hydrates and gently dissolves thick skin; heel balms with urea are first‑line for fissures.
• Salicylic acid (low %)
  : Keratolytic that helps shed callus; effective but may irritate sensitive skin.
• Lactic acid/Alpha‑hydroxy acids (AHAs): Exfoliate and smooth rough rims; expect mild tingling.
• Saccharide isomerate: Binds water to skin for long‑lasting hydration.
• Petroleum jelly (petrolatum): Powerful occlusive; apply after actives to seal moisture, especially overnight with socks.

Use these 2–3 times daily after gentle exfoliation; consistency is what closes small splits and keeps heels supple.

Footwear, socks, and support that protect your heels

Because pressure and friction are core causes of dry cracked heels, the right gear keeps the heel pad from splaying and the skin from drying out. Pick stable, closed‑back shoes with heel cushioning, pair them with quality socks, and add support if needed. In winter, keep feet warm and dry. At home, slip into supportive house shoes instead of going barefoot on hard floors.

• Closed‑back, supportive shoes: Choose cushioned heels and a stable heel counter; avoid open‑back sandals/thongs.
• Proper fit: Secure at the heel with room in the toe box so skin doesn’t rub.
• Heel cups/insoles: Redistribute pressure to reduce widening of fissures.
• Socks that help: Clean, lightly padded, moisture‑wicking or cotton; change daily.
• Weather protection: Lined, waterproof boots in winter to keep heels warm and dry.

What not to do: common mistakes and myths

Some habits keep fissures from healing and can deepen them. Avoid these to stop the skin‑and‑pressure cycle behind the common causes of dry cracked heels.

• Don’t cut calluses at home: Infection risk.
• Avoid hot water and harsh soaps.
• Skip barefoot/open‑back shoes while healing.
• Don’t wait past a week or ignore redness—see a podiatrist.

When to see a podiatrist and what treatment involves

If heel fissures are deep, bleeding, very painful, or show redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, or odor, see a podiatrist promptly. Book sooner if you have diabetes, recurrent splits, or no improvement after a week of diligent home care—these signs mean the underlying causes of dry cracked heels need medical help.

• Professional debridement: Safe removal of thick callus.
• Strapping/dressings: To limit skin movement while healing.
• Prescription-strength keratolytics: Higher‑percent urea or salicylic acid.
• Skin glue: Medical adhesive to approximate crack edges.
• Pressure/offloading: Heel cups, insoles, and gait/pressure assessment.
• Footwear guidance and skin‑care plan: To prevent recurrence.
• Treat underlying conditions: e.g., athlete’s foot or inflammatory skin disease.

Prevention checklist to keep heels soft year-round

Soft heels year‑round come from small, repeatable habits that counter the two primary causes of dry cracked heels: a parched skin barrier and excess pressure. Use this quick checklist to keep moisture in, stress down, and fissures from forming—through every season.

• Moisturize daily with urea; seal nightly with petrolatum.
• Short, warm showers; gentle cleansers; avoid harsh soaps/hot water.
• Exfoliate with pumice 1–3x/week; never cut callus.
• Closed‑back supportive shoes; heel cups or insoles to offload.
• Daily checks; treat fungus early; hydrate; maintain healthy weight.

FAQs about dry, cracked heels

Have questions about the causes of dry cracked heels and what helps? Quick answers below.

• What heals them fastest? Soak 10–20 minutes, gentle pumice, urea balm then petrolatum, closed‑back shoes; expect improvement in ~1 week.
• Do deficiencies cause cracks? Uncommon. Low C/E/B3, zinc, or omega‑3 can contribute—eat a balanced diet; avoid megadoses.
• Can I cut calluses? No. Skip razors; infection risk. Use pumice; a podiatrist can safely debride.
• When should I worry? Deep bleeding cracks or redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, odor, fever—especially with diabetes—need prompt care.

Key takeaways

Cracked heels happen when dry, thick skin meets repeated heel‑pad pressure. Most improve with moisture, gentle exfoliation, and better footwear; act fast if you notice redness, warmth, drainage, or pain—especially with diabetes.

• Root cause: Dry callus + heel‑pad splay = fissures.
• Changeable triggers: Open‑back shoes, long standing, hot water/harsh soaps.
• At‑home fix: Soak, light pumice, urea balm then petrolatum; closed‑backs.

Need help? Contact Achilles Foot and Ankle Center.