Horrifically cracked heel, help!

[TTCNumber3uk]

I have no idea how they've ended up like this but I am incredibly ashamed as well as in a lot of pain.
Does anyone know how I can fix this and also what it is and what's caused it? I'm desperate to get my heels healthy again but at the moments there's literal chunks of them missing

These are amazing. But not cheap. Mine been going strong for 20+ years.

Yes I know @Wallywobbles Diamancel footfiles are just amazing. they are a really good product that lasts. I've had mine for years too. I love it.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/travel/article/shanghainese-pedicure-hong-kong

I had a pedicure like this in a tiny village in China. Cost me just over £1. Tiny little old lady massaged my legs and feet with the power of a paratrooper. She then went to work with a scalpel.
Frightened me to death but it was fantastic. Puffy ankles no longer puffy and feet like a baby.

That old lady should be available via uber. Sounds beyond heavenly.

If I’m not diligent with nightly foot cream, I end up with deep splits in my heels. I’ve found using a dab of liquid plaster/bandage gel prevents the crack reopening whilst it’s healing. It stings like F* for a couple of seconds when applied, but seems to do the trick.

https://www.mypharmacy.co.uk/product/germolene-new-skin-liquid-plaster-20ml/#:~:text=My%20Pharmacy%20is%20the%20best,our%20free%20online%20consultation%20service.

Definitely go to a podiatrist. I recently went to have my cracked heels 'removed', not quite as bad as yours but still quite thick. My heels are like a baby's bum now, first time in 30 years! Also, the podiatrist asked if I had a thyroid problem...following a heath check bloods at doctors I have been diagnosed with under-active thyroid 😳

Flexitol twice a day and socks all the time until it's healing. No sandals allowed!

Another vote for a podiatrist, you can request a medical pedicure which will sort your heels. Margaret Dabbs is the most well known, but most I know of locally offer it.

Then you can stay on top if it at home with a decent moisturizer.

Get a corn and callus remover. It's basically a razor blade for your heels. Soak feet in bath, remove the skin with the blade and voila, instant baby smooth feet.

Superdrug do one for £3.99 https://www.superdrug.com/health/first-aid/callus-and-corns/superdrug-corn-and-callus-remover/p/791057?gclsrc=aw.ds&gclsrc=aw.ds&gadsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAADp4mz9f6BajWEU-RDkdEHjNIcDko&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqqG1BhCSARIsACc7Nxo54RznQz4sK1pcVYPwqpzY6Cih8QNtmyZeUJEkyvGreGWbqK7lWIwaAogMEALwwcB

I agree with this, I suffer with really dry skin on my feet that cracks. This is the best you can get I think. The foot file and the cracked heel balm until cracks are improved then the hygiene cream will sort your feet out in no time.

Podiatrist visit to remove that hard skin

Flexitol Heel Balm or Dermatonics Once. Use on damp skin after you’ve done a soak towel dry your feet. The urea helps your skin absorb water so there needs to be moisture in your skin
Socks to reduce mess and create heat to aid absorption

File them (dry) every 3-7 days

But moisture is the key
you can add a gel insole to your shoes
give the sandles a miss if they’re open back

Came here to say this.

Sandals dry my feet out and make them all cracked. A few days wearing socks and trainers hugely improves them.

I used to have feet like hooves until I changed from gel to bar soap in the shower - no more hard skin. I did nothing else different.

Agree - Flexitol can greatly improve my dreadful heels overnight.

It's usually caused by having no sponge on the soles of your feet. So if you're wearingsandles alot that are thin and flat then this will cause it.
Go to a pharmacy for heel balm and exfoliate ech morning and night and apply the balm.

I had a cracked heel like that a few years ago and was blown away by how quickly Neutrogena Norwegian Formula cracked heel foot cream (not just the regular food cream) sorted it out - looks like it has now been rebranded to intense repair.

I thought I was getting a cracked heel again (not as bad) a few months ago and got O'keefes healthy feet food balm from the local supermarket. It just didn't feel as good but to be fair sorted it out. Not convinced it would've been as good as the Norwegian formula if my heel was very cracked though.

Thank you so much everyone the advice has been invaluable. I will be getting what's suggested on payday and buying some new shoes as I live and die in sandals and flip flops haha

Agree with all the cream suggestions but I would book yourself in with a chiropodist for a medical-style pedicure. They have seen worse - honestly - and they will really help you and supply you with products to use going forwards. I wouldn’t go filing those as an amateur as you could make them really sore. You’ll need to pay for a private appointment but it won’t be more than getting your hair coloured and they’ll really help you.

Essy Electric Foot File Pedicure Feet Hard Skin Remover Foot Scraper Dry Dead Skin Remover Callus Exfoliator Rechargeable Feet Scrubber with 5 Replacement Rollers Foot Care Skin Removers (White, EN) : Amazon.co.uk: Health & Personal Care

This is the business for getting rid of dead skin. Then another vote for Flexitol. However, that dead skin has to go first, or the Flexitol will just be moisturising that, it's like a barrier between the cream and your foot.

Microplane and Flexitol.
I spent a fortune on different files, creams and podiatrists until I settled on this combination which is the best by far.
File in one direction only. Not back and forth which encourages rough skin.

Sorry lovely what's microplane?

Be very careful with any scalpel-type removers if there's any possibility you might have diabetes.
I had very hard, cracked heels (bad enough to cause holes in my socks after a few wears!) for a couple of years before I was diagnosed with diabetes. There are various foot problems associated with it but it seems dry skin can be one.
The other thing that might be worth trying (but it's expensive) is Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream. A relative had some really deep, very sore crevasses on his hands from gardening. They weren’t healing at all until I suggested the EA cream. He wasn't at all convinced by my "girly cream" but it worked beautifully and he now recommends it to patients (he's a GP) if nothing else works.

It is a file, linked here several times by previous posters. I’m in a hurry so can’t.

OP - see @SproutLady post