An Article Written By Cecilia Brennan
Podiatrist – New Step Podiatry.
Five Podiatrist Recommended Strategies for Managing Callused Heel Cracks at Home
Heel cracks—also known as heel fissures—are a common foot concern that can lead to pain, discomfort, and even infection if left untreated. In this previous article we explored the causes and some initial ways to address cracked heels. Please note the following article is focused on those with callused (hardened skin) heel cracks and not heel cracks on healthy skin.
Let’s explore five targeted tips for callused heels cracks you can implement at home to help keep those heels soft, smooth and healthy.
Tip 1: Buff Your Heels
Why it helps:
Excess dead skin build-up is often the root cause of callused heels. By filing your heels with a foot file or pumice stone, you remove thickened skin and prevent the cracks from worsening.
How to do it:
- Use a hand file or emery board. Avoid using razor blades, sharp scissors or cheese grater type files as these can result in pulling on the crack, injury and infection.
- Soak your feet in warm, soapy water for 10–15 minutes. Although some people find they can remove more callus with their skin dry.
- Gently file the callused areas in a circular motion—avoid excessive pressure that could cause irritation or micro-tears.
- Pat your feet dry before applying a moisturiser to lock in hydration.
Podiatry Pro Tip: Consistency is key. File once or twice a week as part of your regular foot care routine.
Tip 2: Apply a Urea-Based Cream Daily to Your Feet
Why it helps:
Urea-based creams are especially beneficial for cracked heels due to their unique, four-way action:
- Add Moisture: Urea helps draw water into the skin, increasing its natural hydration levels.
- Prevent Moisture Loss: It forms a thin film on the skin’s surface, reducing the skin’s water loss and keeping your feet supple.
- Break Down Hardened Skin: Urea can dissolve the protein structure of thickened skin, making calluses easier to remove and preventing further build-up.
- Encourage Sebum Release: Urea supports the skin’s natural lubrication process, further enhancing softness and resilience.
How to do it:
- Look for a cream or heel balm containing at least 25% urea. Some heel balms can be overly greasy, making your feet feel slippery. Instead, try a few out, like one available at New Step Podiatry with a coconut oil-based, it both moisturizing and pleasantly scented.
- Apply it daily, preferably right after a shower or foot soak while your skin is still slightly damp. Many people also like to put on heel balm just before bedtime, allowing a protective layer to form undisturbed throughout the night. Focus the application on areas of callus and thickened skin, do not apply inbetween your toes.
- Wear cotton socks overnight to maximize absorption.
Podiatry Pro Tip: Care must be taken to avoid applying urea-based creams directly into deep, fleshy cracks. Although urea is effective for softening and exfoliating tough skin, placing it into open or bleeding fissures can cause irritation, stinging, and potentially slow the healing process. If your heel cracks are severe or open, it’s best to see a podiatrist for professional evaluation and treatment before using any strong chemical exfoliants.
Tip 3: Address Underlying Conditions
Why it helps:
Underlying skin conditions like tinea (athlete’s foot) or psoriasis can exacerbate cracking and dryness. If these conditions go unaddressed, your heel fissures may persist despite treatment.
How to do it:
- Monitor your feet for signs of fungal infection (peeling, redness, itchiness) or psoriasis (thick, scaly patches).
- If you suspect tinea, use an over-the-counter antifungal cream as directed.
- For psoriasis flare-ups, consult with a healthcare professional for appropriate medicated creams or treatments.
Pro Tip: Treating the underlying issue often resolves the heel cracking more quickly and effectively.
Tip 4: Avoid Open-Heeled Shoes
Why it helps:
Open-backed shoes like sandals and flip-flops expose your heels to the elements. This can dry out the skin further and aggravate existing cracks. Additionally, the lack of support contributes to more pressure on the heel area.
How to do it:
- Opt for well-fitted, closed-back shoes that provide good heel support.
- If you must wear open-heeled footwear, limit the duration and be extra diligent about moisturising before and after.
Pro Tip: Consider rotating between different pairs of shoes each day. Allowing your shoes to air out and regain their shape between uses can help extend their lifespan and ensure consistent support.
Tip 5: Cushion Your Steps – Try Gel Heel Inserts for Extra Comfort
Why it helps:
Gel heel cups provide cushioning and support to reduce friction and pressure on the heel. This helps protect cracked skin from further damage and gives your heels a better environment to heal.
How to do it:
- Choose gel heel cups that fit snugly into your shoes without crowding your toes. New Step Podiatry has a range of heel cups.
- Make sure your shoes have enough space to accommodate the inserts comfortably.
- Clean the gel cups regularly to prevent bacteria build-up and extend their lifespan.
Pro Tip: If you have significant heel pain or structural foot concerns, consider consulting a podiatrist for an assessment and custom orthotics. Shoes with supportive insoles help further help redistribute pressure, reducing the stress on the heel skin.
When to Seek Professional Help
While these at-home measures are highly effective for mild to moderate heel cracks, more severe or persistent cases may require professional treatment. If you notice signs of infection (redness, swelling, discharge) or if your cracks are extremely painful, it’s important to seek a health professional’s advice. If you are concerned about a bacterial infection, you may require antibiotics from a prescribing health professional.
What can a Podiatrist do for Heel Cracks?
A podiatrist has a range of tools and techniques to address callused heels more effectively and safely than at-home methods alone. Here are some of the key treatments and services a podiatrist can provide:
- Debridement: using specialised instruments (like scalpels), our podiatrists can carefully remove thickened calluses without damaging the healthy skin underneath. This precise technique is often more thorough than at-home filing and pumice stones.
2. Higher grade creams and applications: for severe or persistent cases, a podiatrist may prescribe higher-strength urea-based creams or other topical treatments designed to break down thickened skin safely. These prescription options often work more quickly and effectively than over-the-counter products. Sometimes these are applied under occlusion (like wrapping, taping and bandaging), to soften and hydrate the skin deeply, enhancing the healing process.
3. Evaluation and treatment of underlying conditions: if a skin condition like psoriasis or tinea is contributing to heel cracking, the podiatrist can diagnose it and recommend a treatment regimen—such as antifungal medications or topical steroids—to control the root cause
4. Biomechanical assessments and orthotics: poor foot mechanics, improper gait, or lack of arch support can exacerbate heel calluses. A podiatrist can perform a biomechanical assessment to check for underlying structural issues and recommend orthotics or supportive footwear to reduce friction and pressure on the heels.
5. Preventative care and ongoing maintenance: regular check-ups can help prevent calluses from thickening again. A podiatrist will create a personalised care plan based on your foot type and lifestyle, ensuring your heels stay healthy and crack-free over the long term.
By working with a podiatrist, you’ll receive expert care tailored to your specific needs, helping you not just manage but actively prevent future callused heel problems. Lastly, if you want to know more about the causes of heel cracks, read our article here.
Do You Have Heel Cracks?
Our podiatrists are here to ensure those in Canberra have access to quality services that can help individuals get the treatment they deserve.
