Dry or cracked heels? FNQ Podiatry and Orthotics can help!

If you suffer from dry or cracked heels, you will be well aware of how uncomfortable this can be. Dry skin may need a little extra care, especially in harsh climates like the Far North, but walking into the chemist and being faced with 20 different products can be a little confusing. There are a number of reasons why your skin may crack, including:

• Lack of Moisture – The most common cause of cracked heels. The skin underneath your feet is often dry, rough and chapped. This is because the skin around your heels has a small number of sweat glands. Fat normally supports the skin to become soft, and prevents it from becoming dry. If your skin is particularly dry then cracked skin appears more easily due to less elasticity.
• Deficiencies – Lack of vitamins and minerals (such as zinc) can affect your heel health.
• Pressure – Spending a long time standing at work or home.
• Aging skin
• Exposing Footwear – Open-back sandals or shoes can allow fat under the heel to expand sideways and increases the possibility of cracks on your heels. 
• Hygiene – Unhygienic conditions can be a further cause.
• Water – Water can take away natural oils from the skin and can leave the skin rough and/or dry. Standing for prolonged periods in damp areas, such as a bathroom, can cause dry and cracked heels.

When it comes to choosing a cream, we recommend any cream with urea as the main ingredient. Urea works both as an emollient and a mild debriding agent which works by helping to break down the built up dead skin. There are different strengths available and this will depend on the severity of the cracks however generally we would advise 10%. The higher the percentage of urea the slipperier and thicker the cream will be. At FNQ Podiatry and Orthotics we use and sell the product urederm; urederm is a 10% potency cream which is also endorsed by the Australian Diabetes Association.

In conjunction with regular cream application, having your feet debrided to remove the majority of dead skin will significantly improve the absorption into your feet, while also improving the discomfort associated with cracked or calloused heels. Call our friendly team today on 40455749 to book your initial consultation for general foot care by one of our trained podiatrists.