Solutions for Cracked Heels

Not all thick skin on the heels are Dry Skin, so in order to distinguish Dry Skin, read the following.......

Dry Skin (anhidrosis) occurs when the body’s sweat glands do not work adequately or at all.

Why do we sweat?

Sweating is an innate process designed to regulate our body's temperature by allowing heat to be released from the body. By all physiological processes, the human body is constantly aiming to maintain a state of homeostasis. This means that it is continuously adjusting to it's environment in order to remain in a state of equilibrium.

In the case of sweating, the nerves on the skin detect minor changes in temperature. As soon as the body experiences it heating up, it immediately stimulates the sweat glands which are present underneath the skin to secrete sweat onto the surface of the skin. The evaporation process of the sweat on the skin cools the body down.

Symptoms

Unusually dry skin that leaves the skin, flaky, peeling and thin.
Some parts of the foot may thicken and crack.
The heels are particularly prone to cracking, which leads to fissures. These can be deep and bleed when they split.

Risks

The skin is a barrier from external environments. Cracks and splits pose a risk for bacteria to enter the body which may lead to infections and wounds.

Common Causes

Trauma to the nerves
Diabetic autonomic neuropathy
Ross syndrome
Long-term excessive alcohol consumption
Skin conditions or skin damage.
Lung cancer
Plugged sweat gland ducts due to dead skin or bacterial infections.
Systemic sclerosis, or scleroderma
Underactive Thyroid
Menopause
Ageing
Poor blood flow
Nutritional deficiency

Diagnosis

As Podiatrists, we often see dry skin mimicking other conditions such as Tinea, Eczema etc. Often patients have managed these conditions in the same way as Dry Skin and have either not achieved results or have subsequently noticed the condition get progressively worse.

In order to distinguish and treat Dry Skin, it is beneficial to see our Podiatrists who will assess and diagnose your feet to provide you with an effective treatment plan.