What causes cracked heels ? Cracked heels or heel fissures are caused most commonly by dry skin. Though they may become painful, they are more typically a cosmetic problem. Do not neglect them, those cracks may not only make it painful to walk, but may lead to infections. Don't fret there is a solution ! How do cracked heels happen: cold weather, dehydration, not moisturizing, taking very hot showers or baths, harsh drying soaps, scrubbing feet dry or having diabetes. And in Southern California, because of the common footwear FLIP FLOPS chronic exposure to weather. Even in winter a common sight is leggings, flip flops and a parka....more common than shorts, Uggs and a parka. " Heel fissures and cracks occur when the skin loses it's moisture content and dries out and cracks, says Alan K. Mauser, DPM a podiatrist in Louisville, KY. " It's kind of like if you put plaster on a balloon and let it harden and blow up the balloon, the balloon will expand, the plaster will crack. The heel pad wants to expand outward, but the skin is not pliable enough to expand with it, so it cracks, " Dr. Mauser explains. Seriously dry heels crave Neostrata's Problem Dry Skin, a 20% Alpha Hydroxy formulation. This rich cream concentrated with Alpha Hydroxy, Polyhydroxy acids, beeswax and Vitamin E exfoliate severely dry, rough and thickened skin not only on heels, but also knees and elbows. In as little as 3 weeks of daily use say GOODBYE to dry and cracked heelsDermatologist developed. Fragrance-free. Cheers, Miss Violet