Cracked heels: prevention and treatment for healthy, beautiful feet

The heel is the posterior part of the foot and covers the calcaneus (heel bone), the biggest bone of the foot. The skin covering the heel is thicker than other parts of the body due to the pressure it sustains when walking or during sport activities. In individuals with limited or no mobility, such as babies, people in wheelchairs or those in hospital beds, the skin on the heel is thinner and softer.

Hyperkeratosis of the heel

The thickening of the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of the skin) is a physiological effect to protect the skin cells and the structure of the derma (inner layer) from the pressure of the body’s weight. At times, however, the stratum corneum can become excessively thick, in a condition known as hyperkeratosis of the heel.

Causes of heel hyperkeratosis

The causes of hyperkeratosis on the heel can be pathological or through lifestyle choices. Lifestyle causes:

• Sports activities that put a lot of weight on the heel
• Use of hard, unsupportive shoes (e.g. flip flops, wooden shoes, hard boots)
• Walking barefoot on hard or rough surfaces
• Feet scratching (often due to a nervous tic)
• Use of abrasive devices (pumice stone, abrasive exfoliating devices, etc.)
• Frequent washing with harsh soaps
• Skin dryness

The causes that reside in pathology are:

• Being overweight or obese
• Menopause
• Venous or arteriosus insufficiency
• Cardiovascular dysfunction
• Psoriasis, atopic dermatitis
• Peripheral neuropathy

Cracked heels

When the stratum corneum thickens, it becomes more rigid and loses the ability to absorb and dissipate the pressure of the body’s weight. The thickening is often associated with rougher texture and discoloration (darker or lighter) of the skin making it stand out from the rest of the foot. This condition can create self-consciousness because the heels can look neglected and not properly cared for. In addition, cracked heels can cause practical difficulties, such as the discomfort of wearing light, sheer socks that will often catch on the spiky shards of skin.

How to care for cracked heels

For mild hyperkeratosis, apply the micro peeling Glycocream+ to the heel every night. To ensure the cream properly absorbs into the deeper layers of the skin, massage well. Glycocream+ will reduce the thickness of the stratum corneum, gradually resolving hyperkeratosis.
Alongside the nightly application of Glycocream+, only wash the feet when needed and, when doing so, use a mild detergent without surfactants. Eudermic Cleansing Base washes the feet without drying the skin or disrupting its delicate balance.
Do not use moisturizing or emollient creams, as they will not absorb enough to resolve the problem.

How to prevent cracked heels

Nourish the skin of the heel and keep it as elastic as possible by applying Nourishing Cream after washing. Nourishing Cream is enriched with plant-based oils and butters.
In addition, avoid exposing the feet to very cold temperatures and invest in a pair of good-quality, natural fiber socks.

Incorrect treatments not recommended by DermaClub

To treat the blemish of a cracked heel, treatments that DermaClub considers to be wrong are often implemented:

• avoid applying creams containing urea, as it has limited keratolytic action and can cause irritation.
• avoid using moisturizing creams as they do not improve the condition, and can worsen it.
• avoid using pumice stones or mechanical abrasive devices. These will only remove the most superficial layer of dry skin and will not treat the underlying cause of cracked heels. Moreover, this outer layer will often eventually reform even worse than before due to the inflammation caused by the earlier abrasion treatment.