Cracked Heels Treatment in Adelaide
When the skin around your heels becomes dry, it leads to a condition known as cracked heels. Almost 25 percent of Australians develop cracked heels at some point. Though it affects adults and children, it has been seen that women are more often affected than men.
Symptoms of Cracked Heels
Painful cracked heels are a common sign during an Australian summer. Even cold, winter weather contributes to the condition. Though in most cases, the condition is not much to worry about, it does cause discomfort and pain when you walk barefoot. In certain cases, cracked heels or ‘fissures’ tend to go deep and lead to pain, which requires medical help.
Cracked heels develop in stages. The first stage is the appearance of dry, hardened skin called calluses. When more pressure is applied to the area due to walking or other such activity, cracks begin to develop. The physical appearance of dried and cracked skin on the heel area is the most obvious sign of a ‘cracked heel.’ There are also other associated signs and symptoms like:
- Scaly skin
- Itching in the area
- Discomfort while standing and/or walking
- Pain and bleeding from the cracks
- Swelling, warmth, and redness in the area, which hints at infection
Why Choose Us for Your Care?
At KMW Podiatry, we provide exceptional podiatry services across Adelaide, ensuring every patient receives personalized, high-quality care.
Health Scheme Support
We support patients under Workcover, EPC, NDIS, DVA, and other government schemes, providing consistent care for everyone.
Latest Technologies
We adopt the latest technologies to offer advanced podiatric care, providing innovative solutions for your foot health.
Convenient Locations
With clinics in private hospitals and GP clinics, our services are easily accessible, making it convenient for you to receive top-notch care.
24/7 Emergency Help
We are available around the clock for emergency assistance, ensuring you get the help you need whenever you need it.
Causes of Cracked Heel
Here are the cause for cracked heel:
Harsh weather:
Walking barefoot under the warm sun or dry winter weather can both contribute to cracked heels.
Age:
Reduced sebum (natural, oily substance) production and accumulation of sun damage over the years can lead to cracked heels.
Prolonged hot showers:
Taking long showers for an extended period can cause cracking in the heel area.
Poor hygiene:
Lack of applying moisturizer on the skin can also lead to cracked heels.
Eczema:
Dry skin on and around the heels that causes cracking in the area due to the onset of atopic dermatitis or eczema.
Treatment Options for Cracked Heel
If your cracked heels cause discomfort, pain, look unsightly, and do not go away even after applying an over-the-counter foot moisturizer or lotion, it means you need medical intervention. Our team of podiatrists will give you the best medical help to resolve your condition of cracked heels as well as fungal nails.
We examine your cracked heels, take a close note of associated symptoms, find out the exact cause, and work on personalized treatment for your condition. If left untreated, it may lead to orthotics. The treatment can vary from removing calluses using a specialized scalpel blade to prescribing a dermatologically approved lotion for treatment and skin nourishment, suggesting appropriate footwear, and/or treating underlying conditions, if any.
FAQs for Cracked Heels Treatment
Do cracked heels cause pain?
It depends on how severe the condition is. If it is a case of minor cracked heel, it may not cause any pain, but if the condition is not treated, then these cracks can deepen, become painful, and also become susceptible to infections.
What happens if I ignore my cracked heels?
If left unchecked and untreated, cracks deepen. Open cracks are an invitation to infection. There can be a fungal infection like eczema or a bacterial infection like cellulitis. Unaddressed, the condition can lead to irritation, inflammation, bleeding an pain. If the patient is diabetic, it can cause complications like diabetic foot ulcers. So, it is important to get your feet checked by a specialized podiatric team like us.
Can you help fix my cracked heels?
If your cracked heel continue to give you trouble and a foot lotion doesn’t help, please get in touch with us. Make your heels soft, firm, and crack-free again by clicking on this link to book an appointment with one of our experts.