What Causes Cracked Heels?

Factors like pressure from standing, wearing ill-fitting shoes, reduced skin elasticity as we age, and exposing bare feet or parts of the feet to the elements can all contribute to developing dry skin. Additionally, the soles of our feet don’t have any oil glands. This leaves our feet without a natural moisture barrier to protect them and makes them more prone to drying out and cracking. The soles of the feet don’t have oil glands and rely on sweat for lubrication. This leaves your feet without a natural moisture barrier to protect them from the elements.

Here are some common reasons why the skin on your feet may dry out and begin to crack:

• Pressure; Standing or wearing ill-fitting footwear for long periods of time can put intense pressure on your feet. When skin is dry and tight and pressure is applied, this can lead to cracking. 
• Friction; In addition to being a risk for blisters, friction from loose shoes, straps on sandals, or even just the way our feet land when we walk can thicken the skin into dry calluses and can lead to cracking.
• Exposing skin; Going barefoot or wearing sandals can leave your feet unprotected from the drying effects of the environment. Cold, dry air and soil can sap moisture from the skin, and shoes like open-back sandals remove support from your heel’s fat pad, allowing the skin of your heel to expand which can increase the likelihood of cracking.
• Long, hot showers or baths; While it may feel soothing in the moment, having a long, hot shower or bath, particularly if using harsh soaps, can dry out the skin on the feet. Prolonged exposure to hot water strips skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness, and harsh soaps can damage the natural skin barrier, further encouraging moisture loss.
• Aging; As we age, skin loses some of its elasticity and oil production, leaving skin less supple. This, combined with the bottoms of the feet already not having oil glands, makes heels and soles of the feet particularly prone to dryness and cracking as we age.
• A health condition; Severely dry skin or cracked heels can sometimes be caused by an underlying health condition like psoriasis, athlete’s foot, malnutrition or diabetes.  If you are concerned or suspect that an underlying health condition may be contributing to your cracked heels, please be sure to see a healthcare practitioner for further guidance. Source