Heel Fissures

Heel fissures, also known as cracked heels can be a simple cosmetic problem and a nuisance, but can also lead to serious medical problems. Heel fissures occur when the skin on the bottom, outer edge of the heel becomes hard, dry and flaky, sometimes causing deep fissures that can be painful or bleed.

Cause

Heel fissures can affect anyone, but risk factors include: Living in a dry climate Obesity Consistently walking barefoot or wearing sandals or open-backed shoes Inactive sweat glands Like many foot conditions, heel fissures can become more dangerous if they go untreated and become deep or infected. This is especially dangerous for people with diabetes or compromised immune systems.