What causes dry, cracked heels with thickened skin, and can they be treated to become smooth again?
May 27, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wan
Introduction
Dry, cracked heels with thickened skin may be caused by dry skin, athlete's foot, eczema, or other reasons. The skin usually becomes smooth again once the underlying condition is controlled. In addition to these relatively common causes, other possible causes include vitamin E deficiency and diabetes. If you experience any discomfort, you should seek medical attention promptly for evaluation and timely treatment to avoid delaying the condition.
Dryness, cracking, and thickened skin on the heels may be caused by factors such as dry skin, athlete's foot (tinea pedis), or eczema. The skin usually returns to smoothness once the underlying condition is properly managed. Specific causes are analyzed as follows:
1. Dry Skin
When the skin is dry, localized areas are prone to keratinization, which may manifest as excessive thickening of the skin on the feet, leading to dryness, cracking, and hard skin on the heels. In such cases, topical treatments such as cod liver oil ointment or vitamin E ointment can be applied under medical guidance to relieve symptoms.
2. Athlete's Foot (Tinea Pedis)
Athlete's foot is a fungal skin infection. When affected, fungi may irritate the skin on the feet, causing it to become hardened and cracked. Treatment may include topical antifungal medications such as amorolfine hydrochloride cream or terbinafine hydrochloride cream, used according to medical advice.
3. Eczema
If eczema develops on the feet, it may cause redness, blisters, itching, and other symptoms on the heel area. Repeated flare-ups of eczema can lead to dry, cracked, and thickened skin. Topical treatments such as desonide cream or pimecrolimus cream may be used under a doctor’s recommendation to alleviate symptoms.
In addition to the common causes listed above, other conditions such as vitamin E deficiency or diabetes may also contribute. If uncomfortable symptoms occur, it is important to seek timely medical evaluation and treatment to prevent disease progression.
