Standing or walking on hard surfaces all day can cause calluses to form on your feet. Being overweight and sedentary can also be a factor to having thickened skin on your feet, including heel calluses and heel fissures. Cracked heels can become worse without treatment and lead to bleeding and infection.

Here are three ways to help treat and prevent cracking heels we recommend at Issaquah Foot and Ankle Specialists:

1. Protect your feet with properly fitted shoes and orthotics. Wear properly fitted, supportive and comfortable shoes. The use of heel pads and other custom orthotic inserts can help isolate problem areas while they heal.

2. File away cracked and dead skin and moisturize. Dead skin can be removed using a pumice stone or file after soaking the feet to soften the skin.

3. Apply skin cream or lotion several times a day and allow it to soak in. In addition, wearing a sock over the foot while sleeping will provide for maximum absorption.

If you are experiencing foot or ankle pain, give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online.