Why does the skin on my heels crack?
The skin of the heels is thicker than in other areas and lacks sebaceous glands. With constant pressure and friction, it thickens to protect the foot, and with a lack of moisture it loses elasticity. When the heel expands under the weight of the body when walking, the hard stratum corneum does not stretch and bursts. Open mules enhance this effect as the heel is not supported. In dry, hot climates, walking barefoot and in dust, the skin dries out faster.
- Open shoes and mules
- Walking barefoot
- Excess body weight
- Standing for a long time
- Hot water and harsh soap
- Lack of regular care
Diseases that manifest themselves as cracks
Often behind “dry heels” there is a fungal infection of the feet: with it, the skin thickens, peels off in small white scales, and the spaces between the toes and nails can be affected. In diabetes mellitus, sweating and skin nutrition are impaired, and reduced sensitivity makes it difficult to notice a crack in time. The skin of the feet becomes rough and cracks with hypothyroidism, psoriasis, eczema, atopic dermatitis, and hereditary keratoderma. In older people, dry feet are associated with age-related changes and poor circulation.
- Foot fungus
- Diabetes mellitus
- Hypothyroidism
- Psoriasis of the palms and soles
- Eczema and atopic dermatitis
- Palmoplantar keratoderma
Symptoms
The first signs are dryness, roughness and yellowish thickening of the skin along the edge of the heel. Then small superficial cracks appear that do not hurt. If you do not take care of the skin, the cracks deepen, begin to hurt when walking and bleed. When infected, redness and swelling occur around the crack, pain intensifies, and pus may be released. Itching, peeling between the toes, thickening and discoloration of the nails indicate a possible fungal infection.
- Thickened yellow skin on the heels
- Surface cracks
- Pain when walking
- Bleeding
- Redness and pus due to infection
- Itching and peeling due to fungus
Survey
A dermatologist or podologist examines the feet, nails and spaces between the toes, evaluates shoes and the load on the foot. If a fungus is suspected, a scraping is taken for microscopy and culture. If the cracks are persistent, appear for no apparent reason, or there are signs of sensory impairment, the doctor prescribes tests for sugar and thyroid hormones. People with diabetes have the sensation in their feet and the pulsation of the arteries in their legs checked.
- Examination of feet and nails
- Microscopy of scrapings for fungi
- Blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin
- TSH
- Checking the sensitivity of the feet in diabetes
Treatment and care
The basis of treatment is softening and removing dead skin and restoring its elasticity. Creams with a high concentration of urea, with salicylic or lactic acid, which are applied daily, help; You can wear cotton socks at night. Coarsened skin is carefully treated with a pumice stone or a file after a warm bath, and in case of pronounced thickening - with a hardware pedicure from a podiatrist. Blades and graters cannot be used to cut skin. Fungus and diabetes are treated under the supervision of a doctor.
- Apply urea cream daily
- Wear closed-toe shoes
- Avoid walking barefoot on hot ground and dust
- Do not cut skin with blades
- Wash your feet with warm water and dry thoroughly
- People with diabetes should check their feet every day.