How to Heal Cracked Heels Once and for All

Cracked heels can seemingly pop up out of nowhere, and they're especially difficult during the summer when they're constantly exposed in sandals. And once they form, getting rid of them can prove tricky. If you've been slathering on the most high-octane lotion you can find to no avail, there are a few things you should know about how to heal cracked heels.

Odds are your skin is quite literally cracking under pressure. "Our feet are responsible for holding up our body and therefore they withstand a tremendous amount of pressure," says Miguel Cunha, D.P.M., founder of Gotham Footcare in New York City. "When weight and pressure are applied to the heels of our feet, the skin expands outward. If the skin is dry, it becomes less elastic and rigid and therefore more prone to fissures and cracking." (

What Causes Cracked Heels and Feet?

If you want to know how to heal cracked heels, then you should probably know how they developed in the first place. There are quite a few factors that could be upping your likelihood of experiencing cracked heels. Conditions such as obesity, diabetes, eczema, hypothyroidism, Sjögren's syndrome (an autoimmune disease), and juvenile plantar dermatosis (a foot skin condition) have all been linked to cracked feet, says Cunha. Having flat feet, wearing ill-fitting shoes, and living in dry, cold weather can also play a part. (

Dry, fissured feet? It could also be the result of a fungal infection. "Many people assume if they suffer from dry or cracked heels, they simply need to grab a bottle of lotion when one of the most common reasons is actually athlete's foot infection," says Cunha. Common symptoms of athlete's foot include dry-looking skin, itching between the toes, peeling skin, inflammation, and blisters and if you have symptoms that don't improve within two weeks, you should visit a podiatrist, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association.

Before you dive into learning about how to treat cracked heels, it's also important to note that they're easier to prevent than to get rid of. The best ways to prevent cracked heels include avoiding walking barefoot in public or wearing dirty socks, both of which can both expose feet to bacteria and fungal organisms, says Cunha. In addition, you can spray the insides of your shoes daily with Lysol to kill germs.

How Can You Treat Cracked Heels?

Finally, the moment you've been waiting for: exactly how to heal cracked heels, according to an expert.

If the damage has already been done, Cunha recommends a multi-pronged strategy. "When patients come to my office with thick calluses and cracked heels, I commonly recommend the use of Urea 40 percent gel such as Bare 40 Moisturizing Urea Gel," he says (Buy It, $17, walmart.com). Urea has keratolytic effects (it can break down rough, excess skin) and it acts as a humectant, meaning it helps pull in moisture. Here's his full rec:

1. Do an overnight treatment.

"I inform my patients to apply the urea gel evenly throughout both feet at night, wrap their feet with plastic wrap, and wear socks to bed," says Cunha. "The plastic wrap will promote the penetration of the gel into the foot to help break down rough calluses and dry, cracked skin." (If you don't like the idea of using single-use plastic, look into lined socks or heel coverings for a similar effect.)