Cracks in the skin around the heel may be both unpleasant and painful. This problem is because of the thick or dry skin, on and round the periphery of the heels. The skin on your feet is frequently more dry and dehydrated in comparison to the skin elsewhere on the rest of the body most likely because there are no sebaceous glands in the thicker epidermis on the soles of the foot. For this reason, the skin around the heels can lose suppleness and elasticity as a result of that deficit of moisture. Due to the stresses of weightbearing, that dry skin will start to split and it can cause nasty, painful cracked heels that might at times bleed. There are a number of causes that increase the chance for the cracked heels including higher pressure, greater bodyweight, unsuitable shoes (especially footwear that are open at the back), inherited genes, unhygienic problems and poor self-care, as well as dietary deficiencies.
To prevent cracked heels, always try to wear well fitted enclosed shoes that allow your feet to breathe and steer clear of footwear that are open at the back. You should keep well hydrated by consuming a minimum of two litres of water every day as that will help. Exfoliate the skin frequently and moisturise daily with a good ointment. If it is more serious, this should probably be done twice daily to begin with. There are some suggestions that omega 3 and zinc supplements could help (however they do need to be used with all the other treatment options and not on there own). It would also help to stay away from too much exposure of the foot to water or damp conditions. It is necessary that you rinse your feet with tepid to warm water as opposed to hot water. If these kinds of strategies tend not to help, then see a expert podiatrist. They can remove the thicker hard skin and give additional suggestions about how you can self treat.