CCracked heels are a common foot problem that affect almost 40% of adults in India. This problem sees a higher incidence in women more than men. Most of the cases of cracked heels are found to be mild with some feeling of discomfort while walking barefoot. But in many cases, cracked heels can become a seriously painful problem with very deep cracks

Causes of Cracked Heels:

First signs of cracked heels - parts of the heel become dry and start to thicken around the edges of your heel. These are known as callouses. There is a fat pad in the feet within the heels. This fat pad expands when you walk and pushes against the callouses causing heels to crack.

There are several other factors that cause cracked heels which include:

• standing up for a long time continuously
• walking without any footwear or with slippers which do not have any back support for the heels.
• taking hot baths for a long time.
• using strong soaps that can remove the natural oils of your skin.
• In winter when it is cold or when there is low humidity the skin become dry and can cause cracked heels. If you don’t use moisturizers or oil on your feet regularly, they may dry out even faster.
• Certain diseases or conditions like diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, obesity, fungal infections etc can cause dry skin and cracked heels.

Symptoms of cracked heels

Apart from cracked heels, other symptoms as below may also be seen

• Scratching sensation
• itching
• Severe to moderate pain
• bleeding
• swelling with redness of skin
• ulcers

In some cases of severe cracked heels, certain complications such as numbness or a loss of feeling in the heel, infection such as cellulitis, and diabetic foot ulcers in diabetics. Severe cases must be treated by a medical practitioner.

Steps to prevent cracked heels

• The type of footwear you wear matters. It is best to avoid slippers and sandals which do not have a back support. Do not wear tight shoes
• Do not stand in one position or sit with crossed legs for too long.
• Oil or moisturize your feet at night
• Diabetics must inspect their feet daily
• Drink plenty of water and fluids daily
• Use a pumice stone after a bath two or three times a week to help prevent thickening of skin.

IGMA has 2 excellent products for cracked heels:

• AADIFOTA Cream
• GORALI FATA Cream

AADIFOTA Cream

GORALI FATA Cream