Cracked heels: the urea routine that softens rough feet

The skin on your heels is thick, carries your whole body weight, and has no oil glands. When it dries out, it becomes hard and less flexible, and the pressure of walking can split it into cracks. Most cracked heels respond well to a simple routine at home.

Quick answer: Keep showers short, gently smooth thick skin with a pumice stone, and apply a cream with 10–25% urea (or an exfoliating acid) right after bathing. At night, add a layer of petroleum jelly and wear cotton socks. Choose closed-back shoes. If you have diabetes, check your feet every day and see a doctor or podiatrist for any crack.

Why heels crack

Cracks, also called heel fissures, usually start with a rim of dry, thick, yellowish skin (a callus) around the edge of the heel. That hard skin cannot stretch, so it splits under pressure. Common reasons include:

• Dry skin, low humidity, and long hot baths or showers.
• Open-back shoes and sandals. With no support at the back, the fat pad of the heel spreads sideways with every step and pulls the skin apart.
• Standing for long periods, especially on hard floors.
• Extra body weight, which adds pressure on the heel pad.
• Skin conditions such as eczema (atopic dermatitis) or psoriasis on the soles.
• Health conditions such as diabetes and an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).

For general care of the rest of your body, see dry skin on the body. Our cracked heels page focuses on this concern specifically.

The routine that works for most people

1. Keep bath time short

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggests limiting baths and showers to 5 to 10 minutes, using a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser, and patting the skin dry. Long soaks in hot water strip natural oils.

2. Smooth thick skin gently

After a shower, while the skin is soft, rub a pumice stone or foot file gently over the thick rim of the heel. A few light strokes are enough. Do this two or three times a week, not every day.

Never cut hard skin with scissors, razor blades or "corn cutters" at home. It is easy to remove too much and open the skin to infection.

3. Moisturize within minutes of bathing

Apply a foot cream while the skin is still slightly damp. The AAD suggests a cream with 10–25% urea, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) such as lactic acid, or salicylic acid. Reapply whenever your heels feel dry.

4. Seal it in at night

Before bed, apply plain petroleum jelly (petrolatum) over the heels, then put on clean cotton socks. The ointment forms a seal that slows water loss, and the socks keep it on your feet and off your sheets.

5. Protect deep cracks during the day

A liquid bandage (a brush-on or spray coating sold in pharmacies) can cover painful cracks, ease pain while you walk, and help keep germs out while they heal.

Why urea works so well on heels

Urea is a natural part of the skin's own moisturizing system. In creams, it does two jobs at once:

• It draws in water. Urea is a humectant, which means it pulls water into the outer layer of skin.
• It softens hard skin. At higher strengths, it loosens the bonds between dead skin cells, so thick, rough skin becomes thinner and smoother.

Creams usually range from low strengths, used for general dry skin, to higher strengths for rough, thick skin. Very high strengths are mainly used for problems like thick nails and may need a prescription. If you are unsure which strength to choose, a pharmacist can help.

Urea can sting a little, especially on open cracks. Mayo Clinic notes that urea-type products can cause slight stinging or irritation and suggests using them no more than twice a day. If cracks are bleeding or raw, use plain petroleum jelly until they close, then go back to urea.

You can browse more foot care products and ingredients on Glowpedia.

Shoes and daily habits

• Wear closed-back shoes with a cushioned heel when you will be walking or standing for a long time.
• Avoid shoes that are worn down or fit poorly. The AAD names flip-flops and slingbacks as shoes that can make cracked heels worse.
• Change socks daily and dry your feet well, including between the toes.
• At the first sign of dryness or a small crack, moisturize two or three times a day. Catching it early is much easier than fixing deep fissures.

Common mistakes

• Filing too hard or too often. Over-filing can make the skin sore and does not stop thick skin from coming back.
• Using acid creams or urea on bleeding cracks. They sting. Let them close first.
• Foot peel masks or socks (strong acid peels) if you have diabetes, poor circulation, numb feet or broken skin.
• Stopping once heels look smooth. Heels often crack again without a simple maintenance routine.

How long until heels improve

Many people notice softer heels within a few days of steady moisturizing. Deeper cracks take longer to heal, often a few weeks. DermNet suggests seeing a podiatrist (a foot care specialist) if there is no improvement after about a week of self-care, or if the cracks are severe.

When to see a doctor or podiatrist

See a doctor, dermatologist or podiatrist if:

• You have diabetes, poor circulation or numbness in your feet. Nerve damage can stop you from feeling a crack or blister, and cracks can turn into foot ulcers (open sores that heal slowly). Check your feet every day, including heels and between the toes, using a mirror if needed.
• There are signs of infection: redness that spreads, warmth, swelling, pus, or increasing pain. Infection can spread into the deeper skin (cellulitis) and needs prompt treatment.
• Cracks are deep, bleeding or painful, or do not improve with home care.
• The skin on your soles is also red, itchy or scaly, or peels between the toes. This can be eczema, psoriasis or a fungal infection such as athlete's foot, which need different treatment.

A podiatrist can safely remove thick skin, prescribe stronger softening creams, and suggest heel cups or insoles to spread pressure more evenly.

FAQ

Do foot peel socks work for cracked heels?

They can remove a lot of dead skin at once, which some people like. They are strong acid treatments, so avoid them if you have diabetes, poor circulation, numb feet or any cracks or broken skin.

Is coconut oil enough for cracked heels?

Plant oils can soften skin a little, but they do not soften thick skin the way urea or exfoliating acids can. For deep cracks, a urea cream by day and petroleum jelly at night usually does more.

Why do my heels crack every summer?

Sandals and open-back shoes leave the heel unsupported, and heat and air conditioning dry the skin. A simple foot cream after every shower usually prevents it.

Can I use body lotion on my heels?

You can, but thin lotions often are not enough for thick heel skin. Creams and ointments work better, and the AAD suggests creams over lotions for people with diabetes.

Sources

• How to care for dry, cracked heels (American Academy of Dermatology)
• Cracked heels (DermNet)
• Urea (DermNet)
• How to heal cracked heels (Mayo Clinic)
• Dermatologist-recommended skin care for people with diabetes (American Academy of Dermatology)