Splits in the skin at the back of the heel are unsightly and can be painful. They are reasonably common, particularly in those people who are susceptible to them. These kinds of splits in the skin about the heel happen when the skin is thicker and dry. As the fat pad under the heel bulges out sideways when walking puts strain on the skin that it can not take, so the skin just tears or splits. The using of open back sandals also contributes to the cracked heels. Various medical conditions may also lead to the dryness of the skin and a number of different biomechanical problems contribute to the thickening of the skin.
After a crack happens, it will have to be dealt with as it may act as a entrance for an infection to get in. Firstly, an antiseptic ought to be used to prevent that if the crack is open. It is then necessary to remove the thick callus around the peripheray of the heel. This can be done by a skilled podiatrist for those who have access to podiatry. If not, you will want to use something such as a foot file, pumice stone or emery board and get to work on removing it. This tends to take a lot of work. As soon as that thickened skin is removed, then it's crucial that you use lotions and ointments to make the skin elastic and adaptable so it doesn't have the tendency to split. Urea based creams are generally better for that. Once this initial condition is dealt with, then preventative approaches have to be put in place to continue with otherwise the condition will most likely happen again. Occasional use of a foot file or similar is recommended to keep the thick skin down and frequent use of a urea based lotion is essential to make the skin resistant to cracking and prevent the dryness. Keeping away from open back shoes is also advised.
