Many of our patients are affected by rough skin around the rim of the heel that cracks or splits.  They can form into heel “fissures”(painful splits that bleed) if severe enough.  The condition is usually worse in the winter when the humidity is lower.  If you suffer from cracked heels here are some do’s and don’ts: -Do wear shoes that cup the bottom of the heel and have a heel counter(where the shoe encloses the back of the heel)-Don’t wear flip flops or backless shoes that allow friction on the skin.  -Do apply a moisturizing cream such as Eucerin or Lubriderm twice daily-Don’t use ointments such as Neosporin or Vaseline(they don’t hydrate the skin)-Lose weight-obesity is common in this condition due to the increased flattening of the natural heel fat pad.-Limit wearing nylon hosiery in the winter.-Do see a podiatrist to see if you have underlying athlete’s foot or eczema. A podiatrist may prescribe a heel insert or orthotic for your heel to cup the fat pad.  The heel fissures may have to be debrided(pared down) and you may require stronger hydrating creams which are by prescription only.