What causes dry, cracked heels?
Disease description:
I have recently noticed that my heels are particularly dry and cracked. I would like to ask the doctor, what are the causes of dry and cracked heels?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
Heel fissures, commonly referred to as cracked heels, may be caused by multiple factors:
1. Weather conditions: In cold weather, poor circulation and reduced skin elasticity can easily lead to heel cracks, especially during seasonal transitions.
2. Physiological aging: In elderly individuals, slow metabolism, increased dead skin cells, and decreased new cell production result in reduced skin elasticity, making heel cracks more likely.
3. Skin diseases: Hereditary keratinization disorders and abnormal keratin metabolism conditions can cause heel cracks.
4. Nutritional factors: Deficiencies in vitamin A and vitamin E may lead to heel cracks; fungal infections such as athlete's foot (tinea pedis) can also cause cracking of the feet.
