Cracked heels: why they happen and what actually helps

Cracked heels can feel like a cosmetic problem, something to hide under socks until sandal season. But deep cracks can hurt with every step, catch on bedsheets, and even bleed. For some people, especially those with diabetes, they’re a real health risk. The good news is that most cracked heels respond to simple, consistent care.

Why heels crack

It starts with dry skin, which doctors call xerosis. The skin on the feet dries out easily, and dry skin on the feet is both uncomfortable and more prone to infection.^[1] Pressure then adds to the problem: when you stand, the heel spreads out under your weight, and thick, dry skin around its rim is more likely to split than supple skin.

Things that often make it worse:

• Open-backed shoes and sandals, which let the heel spread with no support around it.
• Long hours of standing, especially on hard floors.
• Dry winter air, long hot showers, and harsh soaps.
• A thick rim of callus around the heel, which cracks more easily than supple skin.

Dry skin can also be a sign of an underlying condition, so persistent dryness deserves a look.^[2] On the feet, a common one is athlete’s foot, which can cause dry, scaly skin across the sole in a “moccasin” pattern. See our athlete’s foot article.

What helps

1. Moisturize every day, and use the right product. For dry skin, skin-care products should do two things: put water back into the skin and replace the oils that hold it in. The drier the skin, the richer (more oily) the product should be.^[2] Look for urea: it has the most evidence behind it for dry skin, and it’s also used for cracks.^[2] Many over-the-counter foot creams contain it.

2. Apply it at the right time. Put the cream on after a shower or bath, when the skin is still slightly damp, and again at bedtime. Cotton socks overnight help it soak in.

3. Thin the callus gently. After bathing, a pumice stone or foot file used lightly, a few times a week, keeps the rim from building up. Don’t use razors or blades on your own feet.

4. Change the pressure. Closed-back shoes with some cushioning, or a heel cup, help keep the heel from spreading. A callus that keeps coming back may also point to how your foot takes weight, which orthotics can change.

Be patient. It takes consistent care over weeks for thick, cracked skin to soften and heal, and dryness returns if you stop.

What the research shows

Most studies of foot moisturizers are small and of modest quality, so no single product can be called the winner.^[1] But the pattern is consistent. In a 2026 review of 12 randomized trials in people with diabetes, creams with added moisture-attracting ingredients, mostly urea, reduced foot dryness more than standard base creams, and side effects were rare and mild.^[3]

For deep cracks specifically, a trial in 167 people with diabetes and a deep, open heel crack compared a cream containing urea, glycerin and petrolatum with a placebo cream. After four weeks, 6% of people using the test cream still had a deep open crack, compared with 24% using the placebo.^[4]

If you have diabetes

Cracks are more than a nuisance when you have diabetes, nerve damage or poor circulation. An open crack is an entry point for bacteria, and left untreated it can lead to infection and ulcers.^[4] Dry skin on diabetic feet raises the risk of cracks and ulcers in the first place.^[3]

• Moisturize the heels and soles every day, but not between the toes, where moisture can let fungus grow.
• Check your feet daily, as described in our daily foot check guide.
• Never cut or file hard skin aggressively yourself.
• See us for any crack that bleeds, is red or warm, or doesn’t improve in a week or two.

Our diabetic foot care page explains regular professional care, including safe callus reduction.

Common questions

Should I use a callus remover or blade?

We’d advise against blades and corn cutters at home. It’s easy to cut too deep, and a cut can become infected, especially if you have diabetes or can’t see or feel your heels well.

Can cracked heels be a sign of something else?

Sometimes. Dry skin can go along with a range of skin and general health conditions.^[2] Athlete’s foot, for example, can look like simple dry skin. If your heels don’t improve with daily moisturizing, it’s worth having them looked at.

When to see a podiatrist