Dry and cracked heels are actually a bigger deal than they first sound. That’s because they can fully break and begin bleeding with much less stress than softer, moist heels.

And those open wounds, which you may not even notice at first, can get infected. So your heels really are something to pay attention to if you notice yours have dry and cracked skin.

How Do You Get Dry Heels?

Believe it or not, they happen as a result of years of mistreating your feet. We’re not talking just a few weeks or months, but years.

There’s actually too many causes of dry heels to discuss in this post. But some of the leading ones are:

1. A deficiency of vitamins and minerals in your diet (especially zinc)
2. Spending much of your day at home or work standing
3. Disorders such as diabetes, athlete’s foot, psoriasis, thyroid disease, and many other skin diseases
4. Being overweight because it places additional stress on your heel
5. Frequently wearing footwear that exposes your feet because and allows your heel skin to expand, which increases the possibility of cracks
6. Not cleaning your feet often enough
7. Taking long, hot showers because hot water dries out your skin
8. Genetics. You may have a predisposition towards dry, cracked heels, which starts as a child. This can also onset later in your life as an adult.

Can You Get Your Heals Moist and Healthy Again?

If you have dry, cracked heels, you absolutely don’t have to worry about having them, and the bleeding they can cause, forever.

It’s also relatively simple to keep your heels in good shape. Moisturize your feet daily after showering and before putting on your shoes and socks. You may even do this before bed, while also putting on socks to help keep the moisture in your skin.

During the day, let your feet breathe. You can do this by wearing cotton socks, rather than synthetic materials or wool.

You can also gently exfoliate your skin with a pumice stone. Remember to be extra gentle, as being too rough can actually exacerbate the potential damage your dry, cracked heels experience.

With this simple care routine, you’ll keep your heels moist and healthy so you don’t run the risk of bleeding and infection.

And you’ll be able to fully enjoy life and time with your family!