Wising Up About Heel Cracks

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Some people love winter. They like their warm sweaters, and they enjoy cold-weather sports like skiing and skating. They prefer food like soups and stews. Others hunker down and wait for the chilly months to come to an end, uncomfortable in winter’s dark and cold. One common reason these folks don’t enjoy the season is heel cracks. Are you one of them? 

When winter's dryness depletes the air of its humidity, the skin suffers and often becomes dry as well. The skin on your feet can become especially dry, and small cracks can develop, particularly at the heels. These cracks can be rather painful. They can even bleed and provide access points to dangerous infectious agents. People with circulatory ailments like peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and those with diabetes are at increased risk for heel cracks. 

So, what can you do to prevent this uncomfortable condition from occurring? Anne Arundel County podiatrists James M. McKee, DPM, FACFAS, and Adam Weaver, DPM have some suggestions for you: 

  1. Use a moisturizer on your feet daily, particularly after showering or bathing. It will add moisture to your skin and effectively help your skin retain the moisture it already has.

  2. Remove the dead skin on your feet with a gentle exfoliating product once or twice a week.

  3. Gently rub heels with a pumice stone once a week after showering. Never use a razor or grater on your feet! It can cause injury and infection.

  4. If you notice a heel crack developing, apply petroleum jelly and sleep in cotton socks to soften skin.

  5. Be sure to hydrate from the inside out. Drink plenty of water every day and avoid caffeine and alcohol, both of which can rob your body of hydration.

If you are worried about heel cracks, or if you have another concern about the health and wellness of your feet, ankles, or lower legs, it’s time for a visit with your podiatrist. Your foot doctor is a medical specialist with years of training and experience and the best-qualified medical professional to care for this part of your body. Call our friendly, professional staff at 410-224-4448 or click here to schedule an appointment with Dr. James M. McKee and Dr. Adam Weaver in Podiatry Group of Annapolis, P.A.’s modern, comfortable office on Old Solomons Island Road today.

foot care tips, foot conditionsPodiatry Group of Annapolisheel cracks, peripheral arterial disease, diabetes, dry skin