Can Walking Barefoot Cause Cracked Heels In Saratoga Springs

Walking barefoot or wearing flip-flops, sandals, or other open-toed shoes causes friction between the bottom of your foot and the ground. This friction can cause calluses and cracks on the soles of your feet. If you walk a lot on hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt, you will be more prone to developing calluses on the soles of your feet.

If you run around barefoot in Saratoga Springs, make sure you wear sandals or shoes with good traction. Try to avoid running on sidewalks with cracks in the concrete because that can also cause your feet to get hurt.

What Are Cracked Heels?

Cracked heels are one of the most annoying foot complaints. They can cause pain, discomfort, and embarrassment. Cracked heels usually develop when you walk on bare feet or in high heels for long periods. The skin of the feet may become dry, cracked, and sore.

The best way to prevent cracked heels is to keep your skin moisturized and healthy. You should also wear proper shoes that fit well, which will help prevent friction between your feet and the ground. If you have a history of cracked heels, consult your doctor about any prescription creams or ointments they may recommend.

The Causes Of Cracked Heels

A cracked heel develops in several stages. In the beginning, dry and hard, thickened skin is formed around the heel. The more you walk and put pressure on this area, the fat pads below the heels expand sideways and develop small cracks. Long hot showers or harsh soaps make the skin dry, making the cracked heels worse.

Other common factors that cause cracked heels include:

• Walking barefoot
• Being obese
• Certain chronic health conditions like diabetes

With time, the cracks on the heels become deeper and may begin to bleed. In the most severe cases, cracked skin leads to fungal infection. For diabetic conditions, severely cracked heels cause diabetic foot ulcerations.

Symptoms Of Cracked Heels

Besides the physical appearance of dry, cracked heels, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Heel cracks are excruciatingly painful.
• Irritation in the cracked heel
• Bleeding from the cracked heel
• Swelling and redness in the cracked area

Treatment For Cracked Heels

You can treat cracked heels at home using a foot cream or lotion to help relieve dry skin and prevent further damage to your feet. You may also want to take time off from wearing high-heeled shoes until the problem heals completely.

As part of the treatment, you might use an ointment or cream to relieve pain and reduce swelling and wear shoes with extra padding.

If there are no improvements, here are the treatment options available for a cracked heel.

Mechanical Debridement Of The Thick Heel Fissures

A podiatrist performs this technique. The doctor will place a small probe in the wound and remove any dead tissue inside it.

This is recommended if the crack has been present for more than two weeks. The doctor will use an endoscope to remove all the dead skin from the bottom of the heel and then gently push down on it with a small tool to scrape it off.

Skin Nourishment Using Dermal Foot Balm

Dermal foot balm is an effective treatment option for cracked heels because it provides essential fatty acids, proteins, and vitamins to the skin cells that need it most.

Wearing Appropriate Footwear,

If you have cracked heels, you should avoid wearing poorly fitting shoes. Wearing appropriate footwear is critical in helping to prevent ankle sprains and other injuries. Avoid wearing open-toed shoes as they may cause more cracks.

Ankle Strapping And Foot Soak

Wear your foot socks for at least a few hours each day. This will help to keep your feet warm and hydrated in the cold weather. However, they may not be as effective as wearing thick cotton socks with some heel pads. This padding will help keep your feet cool by wicking away excess moisture from your skin. This is good for preventing blisters and sores on your feet.

How To Prevent Heel Cracks

Cracked heels are caused by a break in the skin’s standard shape, resulting in thin, cracked, and often jagged cartilage. The skin can also become red and swollen due to inflammation. To prevent cracks here is what you should do:

Wear Well-Fitting Shoes.

To prevent heel cracks, wear shoes that fit well. Too tight a shoe can lead to blisters and inflammation, making your heel crack worse. The best way to prevent this is to ensure the shoe fits properly.

Wear Shoes With Good Arch Support.

This will help keep your feet from becoming too flat or too arched. Some shoes have an extra layer of padding in the heel, which helps move excess body weight off the front of your foot so that it doesn’t cause problems with blisters and other injuries.

Wear Thick Socks.

Wear thick socks to cover your entire foot, including the top of the foot and toes. Socks keep you warm in winter or cool in summer, but they also serve another essential purpose: they protect your feet from rubbing against each other when you walk or run.

Wear Running Shoes.

If you want to avoid heel cracks altogether, consider wearing running shoes instead of walking shoes whenever possible. Running shoes are usually heavier than walking shoes, which is why they are made for people who need more stability and support.

Looking For A Cracked Heels Treatment? Rogers Foot & Ankle Institute Has A Solution For You.

Cracked heels can be embarrassing, but they don’t have to be. If you have cracked heels or have been diagnosed with a foot problem in Saratoga Springs, Rogers Foot and Ankle Institute can help.

Rogers Foot and Ankle Institute is a premier medical facility specializing in diagnosing and treating foot problems. We offer a full range of foot services for people who need to see an orthopedic specialist or podiatrist for foot pain and related issues. Our podiatrists look at cracked heels to make sure they are getting the right treatment to make the pain go away quickly.

From simple ingrown to severe plantar fasciitis and heel spurs, we have the expertise and experience to treat your condition quickly and effectively. Please call us today at 801-756-4200 to book a consultation.