Dry skin & conditions that dry the skin – diabetes; hypothyroidism; atopic dermatitis; Juvenile plantar dermatosis; psoriasis. Corns & callouses are the first step towards cracked heels. Increased pressure (from excessive weight/obesity; prolonged standing; wearing open-backed shoes/sandals) on the fat pad under the heel causes it to expand sideways, leading to splitting or cracking of the callous.
