All Cracked Up, Is It a Sign of a Serious Health Issue?

Dry Patches, Cracked Skin, Callused Heels

There are several reasons why people may experience dry, cracked heels. Our feet are the foundation of your body and they withstand a tremendous amount of pressure. When this pressure is applied to the heels of our feet, our skin expands outwards. If our skin is dry, it is more prone to cracking.

The first sign of cracked heels is having areas of dry, thickened skin, known as callouses, around the rim of your heel. 

WHAT ARE THE TYPICAL CAUSES OF CRACKED HEELS?

Common causes of dry, cracked heels are: 

• walking around barefoot
• regularly exposing the skin on your feet to hot water during long showers and baths
• using harsh soaps that can strip your skin's oils, which provide a natural barrier to moisture loss
• shoes that don’t fit properly (e.g., too tight or don't support your heels)
• friction from the back of shoes
• open-back shoes (e.g., sandals, flip-flops)
• dry skin due to climate, such as cold temperatures or low humidity
• standing for long periods of time, particularly on hard flooring.
• a poor way of walking
• biomechanical factors (e.g., flat feet, heel spurs)
• not moisturizing your feet regularly (podiatrists recommend moisturizing your feet about 10 minutes after you get out of the bath or shower, and again before you go to bed)
• pregnancy
• obesity 
• aging
• Sitting with your legs crossed for too long

CRACKED HEELS COULD BE A SIGN OF A HEALTH ISSUE

In some cases, dry, cracked skin could be a sign of a more significant health issue, such as diabetes or loss of nerve function. Physicians those who have been diagnosed with diabetes or neuropathy to avoid removing calluses yourself. You may inadvertently create a wound and increase your risk of infection.

Other medical conditions that may cause you to suffer from cracked heels include: 

• eczema
• psoriasis
• hypothyroidism
• Sjögren's syndrome
• atopic dermatitis
• fungal infections, such as athlete's foot
• menopause (some women may be more prone to a condition known as "acquired keratoderman" a skin disorder that can lead to cracked skin on the heels and other parts of the body) 
• vitamin deficiency
• palmoplantar keratoderma, causes abnormal skin thickening on the soles and palms
• dehydration 

If you suspect an underlying medical condition, talk to your healthcare provider to see if you need further evaluation. Also, be sure to inspect your feet daily, especially if you have diabetes or another medical condition that causes dry skin.

3 Reasons You Should Never Wear These

They may feel refreshing in the summer, but your feet will pay the price for wearing them. We're talking about flip-flops, which may be the worse type of shoes for your feet. 

According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, it all comes down to biomechanics and these three reasons why you should not wear inexpensive flip-flops.  

They offer no:

• arch support;
• heel cushioning; or
• shock absorption. 

In addition, flip-flops make your body work harder when compared to walking barefoot. The result - aching feet and lower legs.

Consider the design of the average flip-flop. They are flat, thin, made of super squishy foam, and held together with two straps secured with a toe peg. After months of constant wear, what do you have? You are literally walking on a piece of rubber compressed to something about the thickness of a dinner plate.

Your foot feels the pain with every step; and whatever happens, don't step on a twig or piece of gravel. OUCH!

When you walk, your body accommodates for the jarring sensations, stress, slips and slides, and unstable environment. Have you ever walked right out of your flip-flops or caught them in a crack; or perhaps twisted your ankle on the uneven ground? Been there and it wasn't a pleasant experience.

This stress of walking in flip-flops causes muscle fatigue and places extreme tension on connective tissues (i.e., plantar fascia and Achilles tendons). With increasing stress, micro-tears can occur. Your body's natural response to healing these tissues involves inflammation and pain.

The better footwear alternative are supportive sandals --- not just in hot weather, but also in your house year-round.

There are many stylish shoes on the market that offer the desired flip-flop look and airy feel; as well as the supportive design necessary to prevent foot pain. Look for a pair that: 

• has arch support, which will reduce the tension on the connective tissues; 
• is designed so that the heel cups support your heel in a neutral position, which prevents overstretching the Achilles tendon; and 
• has wide straps that distribute the pull on the top of the foot, so your toes don’t have to grip your shoes.