Cracked Heels

Cracked heels (also known as fissures) are a dry, flaky skin formation on the outer edge of the heel that can form deep, painful cracks. They often develop due to xerosis - a dry skin condition. Cracks often bleed, leading to infection from bacteria or fungi.

Cracked heels are caused by seasonal dryness (i.e. winter) or a year round dry climate. Other causes maybe due to being overweight, habitual barefoot walking, wearing of open back sandals or excessive soaking of the feet. Avoid walking barefoot or wearing open back sandals if you have this condition.

Cracked Heels Treatment

A good oil based balm that stays over the affected area will rehydrate the skin, and repair cracked heels. Neat Feat Foot & Heel Balm is a very effective at treatment. The Balm contains Urea as an active ingredient which rehydrates and repairs damaged skin. In fact many people see dramatic improvement in only a few days.

Once the repair work is done, we recommend you switch to Neat Feat Foot & Leg Moisturiser which can be used on a daily bases to maintain smooth heels. The combination of Neat Feat Foot & Heel Balm and Foot & Leg Moisturiser provides a proven means to repair cracked heels. Many podiatrists recommend these two products.

Thick skin which develops on the heel also contributes to the development of the condition. This is because the skin of the heel needs to be supple and flexible. Your foot has to bear the weight of your body so the pressure this exerts causes the heel to bulge. When the skin thickens, the heel loses its flexibility and the bulging causes cracked heels.

One needs to reduce the thickened skin for healing to take place. The Neat Feat Foot & Heel Scraper will help to remove thickened skin, please do not use a blade. Foot & Heel Scraper also comes with a free 10g sample of Foot & Heel Balm. Another great product is the Foot Pumice to remove the dry, thickened skin.

Foot Maintenance

This is a simple regular process to follow to maintain your feet in good shape and avoid cracked heels. During showering use the Neat Feat Foot Scrub Soap, an exfoliating soap that removes ingrained dirt and dead skin. This soap contains kiwifruit seeds and walnut crush which makes for an invigorating scrub. After bathing or showering go over areas of rough or built up skin with the Neat Feat Foot Pumice. Pumice has been used for centuries and works well after feet have been bathed in water.

After using the pumice, inspect your feet for any cracks or fissures, apply the Neat Feat Foot and Heel Balm to affected areas. Once cracks have disappeared massage in on a regular basis the Neat Feat Foot and Leg Moisturizer a rich cream that has been especially developed to repair extra dry skin.

Finally, if you want to relieve the pressure on your heels due to thickened skin, please try the Neat Feat Heel Cup to reduce callus formation and movement of the foot.