Heel calluses form as a natural reaction to the stress and pressure that is applied to your feet on a daily basis. As long as they don’t get too large, they are a normal and necessary aspect of proper cushioning. However, in more severe cases they can become very painful and debilitating, especially when the cracks deepen into heel fissures that make it difficult to stand or walk. Since these deep cracks are susceptible to fungal and bacterial infection, major complications can result especially in patients who have diabetes.
Some causes of severely cracked heels and heel fissures include the following:
- Walking on hard surfaces all day for your job
- Carrying too much extra weight puts extreme pressure on your heels
- Untreated thyroid conditions
- Estrogen deficiency
- Peripheral neuropathy due to diabetes
- Skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema
- Nutrient and vitamin deficiencies
- Circulation abnormalities caused by peripheral artery disease
- Genetic inheritance can also play a role in callus formation
Over-the-counter home treatments for heel calluses and fissures are not usually very effective, and you can make the problem worse by causing more severe cuts and infections. For the best outcome, it is a good idea to see your foot doctor to have a complete exam for the proper diagnosis and most effective treatment methods.
If you are experiencing the pain and discomfort of cracked heels or difficult-to-treat heel fissures, your foot doctor has the right treatment. At Podiatry Center of New Jersey, Dr. Russell Samofal and Dr. Dolan Chowdhury treat a variety of conditions such as sports injuries, diabetic foot problems, pediatric foot conditions, toe deformities, arthritis, nail fungus, arch problems and heel pain. Equipped with advanced technologies and a dedicated staff, Podiatry Center of New Jersey provides individualized high-quality care for patients all across Morris, Passaic, Bergen and Essex counties. For all your foot and ankle problems, contact our Wayne office at (973) 925-4111 for an appointment.
