Dry Skin or Something More?

You notice the skin on your heels or toes is cracked. Maybe it’s a little rough or peeling. No big deal, right?

But here’s the thing—not all dry-looking skin is just dryness.
In fact, it might be the sign of a fungal infection or something more serious. At our West Haven podiatry clinic, we help people figure out the difference every single day.

So, how can you tell if it’s just dry skin—or something you really shouldn’t ignore?

What Causes Cracked Skin on Feet?

Let’s start with the basics. Cracked skin—especially around the heels or toes—can happen for a few reasons:

Common Causes:

• Dry air or weather

• Hot showers that strip moisture from the skin

• Wearing sandals or walking barefoot

• Lack of moisturizing

• Standing all day on hard surfaces

In these cases, it’s mostly just your skin’s way of saying: “I’m thirsty!”
But if the cracks aren’t healing—or they’re painful, itchy, or spreading—there may be more going on beneath the surface.

When Cracked Skin Isn’t Just Dryness

Sometimes what looks like dry, cracked skin is actually an early sign of athlete’s foot or another infection. Here's how to spot the difference:

Signs It Could Be a Fungal Infection:

• Itching or burning, especially between the toes

• Peeling skin or flaky patches

• Redness or rash-like areas

• A bad smell

• Cracks that won’t heal—even with lotion

• Thick or discolored toenails nearby (another clue!)

These infections can sneak up on you, especially if your feet are often warm, damp, or covered by tight shoes.

Why It Matters (Especially If You Have Diabetes)

For anyone—but especially people with diabetes or poor circulation—cracked skin is more than a cosmetic issue.

Cracks in the skin can act like open doors for bacteria, leading to:

• Painful infections

• Foot ulcers

• Delayed healing

• Serious complications (in rare cases, even hospitalization)

That’s why it’s so important to get cracks checked out early, especially if they’re deep, red, or leaking fluid.

What You Can Do at Home (and When to Call a Podiatrist)

Try This First for Simple Dryness:

• Use a thick, fragrance-free foot cream daily

• Avoid walking barefoot—especially on hard floors

• Wear cotton socks to let your feet breathe

• Stay hydrated and avoid super hot showers

Call Us If:

• The cracks are painful, bleeding, or not healing

• You notice redness, swelling, or pus

• You have diabetes and see ANY break in the skin

• You’ve tried creams and it’s not getting better

• The skin feels itchy, burns, or smells odd

How Our West Haven Podiatry Clinic Can Help

When you come to West Haven Foot and Ankle Center, we’ll take a close look at what’s going on with your skin—and figure out what’s causing the cracks.

Depending on what we find, treatment may include:

• Prescription-strength creams or antifungal medications

• Safe removal of damaged skin

• Infection control if bacteria has gotten in

• Custom footwear or padding to take pressure off the area

• Guidance for ongoing foot care, especially for people with diabetes

We treat your feet like they’re part of your whole health—because they are!

Don’t Let It Get Worse—Let’s Get It Healed

If your cracked feet have you wondering, “Is this normal?”—that’s your sign to come see us. We’ll help you figure out exactly what’s going on and how to fix it before it turns into something painful or risky.

Book an appointment at our West Haven podiatry clinic today, and let’s get you walking comfortably again.