Heel fissures or cracked heels (as they are more frequently called) are quite common. Almost everyone will experience this condition to some extent in their lifetime. While many people are quick to dismiss cracked heels as a simple cosmetic problem, if left untreated, a cracked heel can lead to other seriously painful medical issues.
What Causes Heel Fissures
It’s impossible to give one definitive cause for this irritating skin condition. There are a plethora of factors that can cause your heels to become dry, and eventually crack. Here are just a few reasons that you may develop heel fissures.
- Age: As our bodies age, our skin loses its natural elasticity. This makes our feet more prone to flaking and cracking.
- Walking Barefoot: If you spend a lot of time outdoors without shoes, chances are, your feet become very dry. Walking barefoot on surfaces such as concrete or sand can cause the skin on the bottom of your feet to become calloused, making it harder for them to stay properly moisturized.
- The Wrong Soap: Many conventional soaps (especially cheap ones) can quickly dehydrate your skin. They eliminate the natural oils that are produced in your feet. Without these oils, your skin can easily dry out, making your heels more likely to develop fissures.
- Improper Fitting Shoes: If you already have rough, dry heels, shoes that fit too tightly can put unwanted pressure on them, causing them to crack.
How to Fix Heel Fissures in Fresno
There are plenty of over the counter products available to treat dry and cracked heels. However, these creams, scrubs, and moisturizers often only address part of the problem. While the products can be effective in alleviating the pain and symptoms of cracked heels, they only offer temporary relief.
The most important step in treating heel fissures is identifying the root cause of the condition. Understanding what is triggering your symptoms is vital to ensuring that they don’t return.
Although dehydration and improper foot care do contribute to cracked heels, there is often an underlying issue that needs to be identified. Your body may be deficient in specific vitamins that it needs to keep the skin hydrated and healthy. Certain medications, as well as improper diet, have also been known to cause the heels to become dry and cracked.
Experienced podiatrists are trained to pinpoint exactly what it is that your body needs in order to treat these underlying issues. If your heel fissures refuse to go away, it is best to seek the advice of a trained professional.
We Want to Help You
If you’ve noticed that the skin on your heels has begun to crack, Canyon Oaks Podiatry in Fresno can help you. Everyone’s feet are different, and there is no “one size fits all” solution for heel fissures.
We can help you create a custom treatment plan to not only repair the existing damage but also prevent it from happening again. Our specialists are dedicated to providing the very best of podiatric care to the Central Valley area. Take the next step: Click here to schedule an appointment today!