Cracked heels: soften gradually, do not overdo it

Cracked heels usually start with dry, thick skin that no longer bends well. A small crack can sting and make walking uncomfortable, so it helps to start care early instead of waiting for the split to deepen.

Regular moisturising is the base. A richer cream or a urea-containing cream often suits rough heels better than a lighter day cream. Filing can help when the skin is soft, but strong scraping or sharp tools can irritate the skin and make the crack worse.

The routine works best when it is easy to repeat on several days in a row. If the heel crack bleeds, turns red, deepens or becomes clearly more painful, it should be assessed instead of treated as a simple dryness problem.

Read more: Skin barrier care and Minor wound care.

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