Cracked Heels Treatment

Expert cracked heel treatment in Elsternwick, Melbourne. Our podiatrists have been restoring smooth, healthy feet for over 25 years.

We run on time
Rapid, 48 hour turnaround
Unrivalled experience and expertise
After-hours appointments

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What Are Cracked Heels?

Cracked heels, medically known as heel fissures, occur when the skin on your heels becomes thick, dry, and develops splits or cracks. These can range from superficial lines to deep, painful fissures that may bleed and become infected if left untreated.

The heel area is particularly susceptible to cracking because it bears significant weight and pressure during walking. When the skin becomes dry and loses flexibility, the normal expansion that occurs when you put weight on your foot can cause the rigid skin to split. What starts as minor dryness can quickly progress to painful fissures that make walking uncomfortable.

Common Causes

Understanding what causes cracked heels helps with effective treatment and prevention:

Dry skin – Your heels have fewer oil glands, making them naturally prone to dryness. Environmental factors like heating, air conditioning, and harsh soaps can worsen this condition.
Thick, callused skin – Excessive pressure causes skin to thicken and lose flexibility. While this thicker skin provides protection, it becomes rigid and more likely to crack under pressure.
Medical conditions – Diabetes affects circulation and skin health, making healing slower and infections more dangerous. Thyroid disorders can affect moisture retention, while conditions like eczema and psoriasis cause dry, flaky skin.
Poor footwear – Open-backed shoes like sandals allow the heel pad to expand sideways, increasing stress on the skin. Ill-fitting shoes create pressure points and friction.
Prolonged standing – Continuous pressure on heels throughout the day contributes to callus formation, especially in occupations requiring long periods of standing.
Age – Skin becomes less elastic and oil production decreases with age, making older adults more susceptible to cracking.

When to Seek Professional Help

While mild dryness might be manageable at home, certain situations require professional care:

You should see a podiatrist if you experience:

Deep cracks that bleed or won’t heal – These require professional debridement and specialised wound care
Signs of infection – Increased redness, warmth, pus, or red streaking indicate bacterial infection requiring immediate attention
Pain that interferes with walking – Professional treatment provides faster relief than home remedies alone
Cracked heels that don’t improve with home care – May indicate underlying causes requiring specific treatment
If you have diabetes or circulation problems – Even minor skin breaks can lead to serious complications

Important: People with diabetes should never ignore cracked heels, as even minor skin breaks can lead to serious complications that could potentially require amputation.

Our Treatment Approach

At The Lower Limb Clinic, we address both immediate symptoms and underlying causes to prevent recurrence.

Professional Assessment

Dr Richard Chasen examines the severity of your heel cracks, checks for signs of infection, and identifies contributing factors. This includes assessing your overall foot health, circulation, walking pattern, medical history, medications, and footwear choices.

Treatment Options

Debridement – Safe removal of thick, callused skin using sterile instruments. This eliminates skin that’s preventing healing and contributing to further cracking.

Prescription treatments – Stronger moisturisers or medications for severe cases, including urea-based creams that soften dead skin and specialised moisturisers that penetrate deeper than regular lotions.

Antimicrobial treatment – Topical or oral antibiotics if infection is present or you’re at high risk of developing infections.

Strapping and padding – Special techniques to hold cracked skin together while healing, reducing stress and pain during the healing process.

Custom orthotics – If pressure distribution problems are contributing to heel cracks, orthotics can redistribute weight more evenly across your feet.

Footwear advice – Comprehensive assessment and recommendations for supportive shoes that reduce heel pressure and prevent future problems.

Home Care Between Visits

Effective home care accelerates healing and prevents recurrence:

Daily moisturising – Apply quality foot cream after bathing when skin is damp. Look for products with urea, glycerin, or lactic acid that are particularly effective for cracked skin.
Gentle exfoliation – Use pumice stone when skin is soft after showering. Avoid aggressive scrubbing that can irritate skin and worsen cracking.
Overnight treatment – Apply thick moisturiser and wear cotton socks to bed, giving products hours to penetrate while feet aren’t bearing weight.
Proper footwear – Avoid walking barefoot on hard surfaces. Wear supportive slippers or shoes even at home to cushion and protect heels.
Regular foot checks – Examine feet daily for new cracks or signs of infection, especially important for people with diabetes or reduced sensation.

Prevention Tips

Maintaining healthy feet requires ongoing attention and good daily habits:

Make foot moisturising a daily habit – Consistent daily care is more effective than occasional intensive treatments
Choose shoes with good heel support – Look for closed-back shoes with cushioning to reduce pressure and friction
Avoid open-backed shoes when possible – Sandals and thongs don’t provide necessary support and protection
Maintain healthy weight – Reduces pressure on heels when walking and standing
Stay hydrated – Supports overall skin health and natural moisture retention
Address dryness early – Treat rough, thick skin before it progresses to cracking

Why Choose The Lower Limb Clinic?

Expert Care – Dr Richard Chasen’s 22+ years of experience and qualifications including Master of Health Science (Podiatry) ensure accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Comprehensive Approach – We address underlying causes, not just symptoms, for better outcomes and lower recurrence rates.

Safe Procedures – Professional debridement using sterile techniques eliminates risks of home treatment with inappropriate tools.

Quality Products – Access to professional-grade treatments more effective than over-the-counter options.

Convenient Location – Easily accessible from Caulfield, St Kilda, Brighton, and surrounding Melbourne areas with convenient parking.

Extended Hours – Flexible scheduling with after-hours appointments to fit your lifestyle without disrupting work or daily activities.

Ready to Treat Your Cracked Heels?

Don’t let painful, unsightly heels limit your confidence or daily activities. Professional treatment provides faster relief than home remedies alone, and our comprehensive approach prevents future problems.

Contact The Lower Limb Clinic today:

Phone: 03 9532 7455
Address: 558 Glen Huntly Rd, Elsternwick VIC 3185
Gap-Free Assessments available for eligible patients

We provide thorough assessment and effective treatment, helping you achieve smooth, healthy feet that enhance your daily life.

If you have more questions or need to schedule an appointment, contact us at The Lower Limb Clinic in Melbourne. We’re here to help you find relief and get back to your daily activities.

The Lower Limb Clinic Difference

Rapid 48 Hour Turn-Around

Our in-house laboratory enables us to deliver quality orthotics within a dramatically shortened time-frame, so you can get back on your feet faster.

Unrivaled Experience & Training

Our experienced team is led by Dr Richard Chasen, with over 20 years of experience treating heel pain, and extensive qualifications in orthotics and podiatry.