Foot xerosis is extreme skin dryness, leading to thick, inelastic calluses around the rim of the heel. Under body weight, this brittle skin splits open into deep cracks (fissures). For people with diabetes, dry skin is accelerated by nerve damage (autonomic neuropathy) and deep cracks can bleed, infection-host, and progress into severe ulcers.
Common Symptoms
Thick, dry, yellowish or dark skin buildup around heel margins · Deep visible vertical splits/cracks in the heel skin · Bleeding or oozing from cracks when standing or walking · Sharp pain while stepping down on the heel
Our Treatment Approach
Podiatric debridement (painless trimming of thick, dead fissure margins) → medical-grade keratolytic moisturization regimens → antiseptic wound dressing for open bleeding cracks → custom heel cup orthotics to prevent heel pad spreading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are cracked heels dangerous for diabetic patients?
Deep heel cracks break the protective skin barrier, giving bacteria direct entry into deeper tissues, which can rapidly progress into cellulitis or deep heel ulcers.
Why didn't basic home moisturizers fix my cracked heels?
Severe heel xerosis requires specialized podiatric debridement to remove thick dead skin first, followed by medical-grade prescription urea ointments that penetrate deep skin layers.
Book Foot Cracks & Heel Xerosis
Most patients are seen within 48 hours. A care coordinator will call you to confirm.
