Dry Heels in Winter: Causes

Feet get drier in cold weather for a physical reason: when outdoor temperatures fall, the air holds less moisture, and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) lists low outdoor temperature among the causes of excessively dry skin. Winter habits pile on — longer, hotter showers and heated indoor air both pull water out of the skin.

Why winter makes dryness worse

Dermatology has a name for the winter version of this problem: asteatotic eczema, also called winter itch, whose most significant trigger is low environmental humidity — common in cold months and in heated indoor spaces. It shows up as dry, scaly skin crossed by a network of fine fissures, and severe cases develop painful, bleeding cracks.

The heel feels it first. Skin on the sole has no sebaceous glands to replace lost oil, and the AAD’s own guidance opens by noting that it’s easy for the skin on your feet to become dry and cracked, especially in the winter. See the general overview of causes in cracked heels: causes.

Winter habits that make the problem worse

• Long, hot showers and baths. Frequent or prolonged bathing, especially with hot water, strips the skin’s essential surface lipids.
• Deodorant soaps and harsh cleansers, which strip oils and fats from the skin — harsh, alkaline soaps and detergents do the same.
• Central heating and space heaters, which cut the moisture in indoor air.
• Wool or polyester next to the skin. The AAD notes these can irritate dry, sensitive skin; cotton or silk under the rough layer helps.

What dermatologists recommend for the cold months

• Limit baths and showers to 5 to 10 minutes, using warm water rather than hot, and blot the skin dry gently.
• Use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser so the feet keep their natural oils.
• Moisturize within 5 minutes of bathing, on damp skin, and again whenever the heels feel dry — for heels, a cream with 10 to 25% urea, alpha hydroxy acid, or salicylic acid.
• Run a humidifier to put moisture back into indoor air; if it’s portable, put it in the bedroom at night.
• Before bed, plain petroleum jelly, with socks over it to keep it off the bedding.

If the crack has already appeared

See the step-by-step treatment guide in how to treat cracked heels.

When to see a dermatologist

The AAD’s threshold is that severe cracked heels, or heels that don’t improve after following the home-care tips, should be seen by a board-certified dermatologist — cracked heels are sometimes caused by a medical condition such as diabetes.

This content is informational and does not replace a medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment.