Heel fissures occur when layers of dry and hard skin build up over the heels which split over time causing painful open fissures which can sometimes bleed. 

Heel fissures can be caused by:  

Health conditions - diabetes, etc,

Ill fitting footwear - sandals, heels,

Poor foot health and hygiene,

Dry skin conditions - eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, 

Pregnancy, 

Obesity. 

If left untreated heel fissures can be painful, reduce mobility and increase infection risk.

Treatment:

As podiatrists we are able to offer treatments to maintain and reduce heels fissures through treatments such as:

Debridement - use of sterile scalpel to reduce hard skin and fissures,

Burr - mechanical file to reduce hard skin and smooth the surface of the heels,

Urea based foot cream and treatments to reduce the build up of fissures,

Offloading and padding, 

Footwear assessment and advice.