[custom_adv] Your feet carry the weight of your entire body. So when you gain extra weight, it increases the pressure on the fat pads under your heels. In this case, your heels are forced to expand sideways to support more weight. And if your skin lacks moisture, it gets cracks. [custom_adv] Without some vital vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, your skin just can’t function properly and becomes dry and thick. [custom_adv] Open-back shoes like flip-flops or sandals usually allow fat under your heel to expand sideways and increase the possibility of cracks on your heels. Ill-fitting shoes and thin soles can also give you cracked heels and heel pain. [custom_adv] After menopause, some women tend to have “acquired keratoderma,” a condition that might lead to cracked skin on the heels and other parts of the body. [custom_adv] Standing for a long period of time, especially on hard or wooden floors, can put additional pressure on your heels and stress on the skin in this area. [custom_adv] Always use warm water when taking a shower, limit your time in a bathroom to 5-10 minutes to avoid more moisture loss, wipe your feet with a towel after washing them, and be sure to apply a moisturizer. It’s also better to avoid harsh soaps or scented skincare products.