One common skincare element in everyone's winter skincare routine is foot cream. It's not hard to see why: in winter, your feet are cold, and you wear boots or shoes that keep the cold out. So why do foot cracks increase? The answer is simple: the foot crack is a sign of poor circulation in the feet. When the circulation is good, there are no problems with your feet. But what happens can be painful and even dangerous when it slows down (as it does naturally as we age). 

So, what causes poor circulation in our feet? Well, there are several reasons for this, but one of the most common ones is tight shoes. If you've ever had a problem with your feet, you know how uncomfortable having a tight shoe can be. But if you ignore it, you'll eventually end up with a foot crack. The same happens with any part of your body that gets tired quickly. For example, if you have weak muscles in your legs, they will eventually start to hurt from overuse, but if you ignore this, you'll eventually end up with something like a shin splint. 

"Winter and Foot crack"- What's the connection? 

Everyone knows that the cold weather makes your feet crack. But what exactly causes foot cracks to worsen during winter? It's not just about the temperature. It's about how your body reacts to the cold and dry air. When you're out in the cold, your body loses more heat from its extremities than it usually would during summer. Because of this, your blood vessels constrict, which leads to more capillary damage and dryness of skin tissue. 

Wearing tight shoes can increase this effect because they expand when heated, causing them to trap more moisture inside them — making you feel colder than you are. The result is an even more painful foot crack. So if you want to avoid having a foot crack in the winter, you should choose loose shoes that will let your toes spread out while wearing them. 

Walking around in wintertime can be a challenge, but one thing you can do to avoid the pain is to prevent foot cracks from forming. Foot cracks are caused by excessive pressure on the feet and ankles, damaging the cartilage and bone in your feet. Cracked heels are painful but can also lead to severe problems if left untreated. Wearing shoes with arch support or frequent usage of foot crack cream can help prevent foot cracks from occurring, as well as wearing shoes that fit properly. Wearing socks with padding inside them also helps protect your feet from damage caused by friction against the ground. 

What happens if you ignore the foot crack? 

The skin on your feet can become inflamed, which can cause itchy, painful blisters and even infection. If you ignore the problem, it may turn into a full-blown case of an athlete's foot or another bacterial skin infection (such as staphylococcus). In addition, an infection can sometimes spread to other parts of your body (such as your nose or throat). There are a few remedies to treat this condition, like using an Athlete's foot cream, like Dr Foot's foot care cream. This foot repair cream contains aromatic essential oils like Lemongrass, Vitamin E, Tea Tree, and Peppermint. It helps treat fungal infection, nourishes skin pores, and stimulate cell regeneration. 

Natural ways to prevent foot crack in winter: 

• Wearing socks made from wool or cotton helps prevent friction between your skin and the shoes you wear. 
• Eating foods rich in oils, such as nuts, seeds, avocados and flaxseeds, and foods high in vitamin E (such as almonds) can help protect against dryness and cracking of the skin on your feet. 
• Drinking plenty of water helps keep the body hydrated, which helps prevent dryness in the feet. You should drink at least eight glasses of water daily to stay hydrated. 
• You should also avoid wearing shoes with heels that are too high or pointy, as this can increase friction between your feet and the shoe and cause damage to them over time. 

• Use an emollient oil or balm on your feet before bedtime. This will help keep the skin supple and hydrated. 
• Wear warm socks at night for extra protection against wind and cold weather. 
• Keep your feet dry by wearing sandals or open-toed shoes when possible. 
• Soak your feet in lukewarm and soapy water for 15-20 minutes. You can also use Epsom salt and essential oils to enhance the experience.  
• Scrub the crack areas with a pumice stone; be gentle, and don't put pressure. 

• Combine 1 tsp of vaseline and a few drops of lemon juice. Apply the mixture all over your heels. Wash with lukewarm water.  
• Mash 2 ripe bananas in a bowl and add a few drops of honey. Massage your feet with the mixture and wash with normal water.