Cracked heels treatment in Dublin
Cracked heels happen when the dry, hard skin around the edge of your heel splits. Small cracks are mainly a nuisance, but deep ones can hurt when you walk and sometimes bleed. At Foot Focus in Finglas and Mount Merrion, our CORU-registered podiatrists (chiropodists) safely remove the hard skin around the cracks as part of a routine chiropody appointment, and show you how to keep the skin healthy so the cracks are less likely to come back. No GP referral is needed.
Does this sound like you?
- Dry, thick or yellowish hard skin around the edge of your heel
- Cracks in the skin that catch on socks or tights
- It hurts to walk or stand when the cracks are deep
- The cracks sometimes bleed
- Moisturiser on its own isn't getting rid of them
If that sounds familiar, a chiropody appointment can sort it out.
Call us or book an appointment.
Call us on (01) 556 3662Rated 4.9 on Google · 397 reviews
What causes cracked heels?
Cracked heels usually start with dry, thickened skin. When your heel spreads under your weight, the hard skin can't stretch, so it splits. The most common reasons:
- Dry skin. Some people's skin is naturally dry, and it can get drier with age.
- Long hours on your feet, especially standing on hard floors.
- Open-backed shoes and sandals, which let the heel spread out with every step.
- Some health conditions, such as diabetes, which can make the skin on your feet drier.
Why Dublin patients choose Foot Focus
- All our podiatrists are CORU-registered and members of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists of Ireland
- Founded by brothers Stephen and Mark Ryan, first-class honours podiatry graduates practising since 2011, and open as Foot Focus since 2016
- Rated 4.9 out of 5 from 397 Google reviews
- More than 100,000 appointments in our Dublin clinics, and over 1,500 most months
- Dublin's largest podiatry team in private practice
- Two clinics: Finglas (Dublin 11), for Glasnevin, Santry, Cabra and Blanchardstown, and Mount Merrion, close to Stillorgan, Blackrock and Sandyford
- No GP referral needed: book directly online or by phone
- Open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, at both clinics
The Foot Focus method for cracked heels
We take the hard skin down first, then help you keep it from building up again.
Step 1: Safe removal
The hard skin around the cracks is carefully removed with sterile instruments. It shouldn't hurt, and most people feel the difference straight away.
Step 2: Finding the cause
We look at what's drying or loading the skin: your footwear, how long you're on your feet, and your skin itself.
Step 3: Skin care advice
We show you how and when to use a moisturiser so the skin stays soft, and what to look out for.
Step 4: Regular chiropody if needed
Many people keep on top of it with a routine chiropody appointment every 8 to 12 weeks.
Start with an assessment
No GP referral needed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does cracked heel treatment cost?
It's done in a general chiropody appointment, which is €80 and lasts 30 minutes. If your health insurance covers podiatry, you can usually claim it back, and we'll give you a receipt.
Should I cut or file the hard skin myself?
Don't cut it. If you have diabetes or poor circulation, leave it to a podiatrist altogether. Otherwise a moisturiser every day helps, and we'll show you what's safe to do at home.
Will my cracked heels come back?
They can, if the skin dries out or builds up again. That's why we look at the cause and give you skin care advice, and why some people come in every 8 to 12 weeks.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book directly with either of our clinics, online or by phone.
References
- Corns and calluses (hard skin) - HSE (Health Service Executive, Ireland)
- Moisturisers for the treatment of foot xerosis: a systematic review (J Foot Ankle Res, 2017) - PubMed
This page is for general information and does not replace individual clinical assessment. If symptoms persist, book an appointment with a CORU-registered podiatrist.
Ready to stop working around the pain?
Leave your number and one of our team will ring you back, usually within one working day. They'll listen to what's going on, answer your questions and find you a time in Finglas or Mount Merrion. There's no pressure to book.
Would rather talk now? (01) 556 3662