Here's the best way to heal your dry, cracked heels, according to a dermatologist

Let's just say this upfront: There's nothing sexy, cool or in any way pleasant about a dry, cracked heel. The condition is not only unsightly (and even a little gross) but it can be extremely irritating and painful. If you haven't dealt with a set of rough, flaking heels yet, you might soon — the problem actually gets worse as we age due to factors like thinning fat pads, drier skin and reduced oil production, all of which make the area more prone to not only dehydration, but actual cracking. However, if you're currently wrestling with uncomfortably reptilian paws, don't fret: I reached out to Dr. Brendan Camp, a double board-certified dermatologist in dermatology and dermatopathology, to sort out what exacerbates the condition, how to treat it in the short term and the best strategies to avoid developing cracked heels for good.

First, what causes dry, cracked feet?

Camp says there are loads of factors that can contribute to your chances of developing rough, scaly skin on your heels and feet, including: "Friction from walking and running, open-backed footwear, walking barefoot, long, hot showers, hormonal changes and certain skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis — all can cause dry, cracked feet," he says.

More serious underlying conditions like diabetes, kidney disease and vitamin and mineral deficiencies can also make the skin in this area more likely to dry out and crack.

What can I do to treat my cracked heels?

Camp suggests the following three-part regimen to quickly bring relief to cracked heels.

1. Use a foot rasp in the shower when skin is softer to exfoliate dead skin.

2. Use a moisturizer that contains keratolytic ingredients (like lactic acid or urea) to gently exfoliate the skin.

3. Consider thicker, ointment-based moisturizers for painful cracks or fissures in the skin.

Last, he says, "Consult with a board-certified dermatologist if at-home treatments are not effective, as this may be indicative of a case of more than just dry skin."

Here are the products he recommends.

Are there any tricks for keeping heels from getting dry and cracked in the first place?

Last, Camp says to avoid cracked heels in the future, you'll want to "improve skin hydration by soaking your feet in lukewarm water for 2-3 minutes a night, then patting them dry and applying a thick moisturizer," he says. After this, for best results, "Apply white cotton socks and wear them for a few hours or — even better — overnight while you sleep."

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