Abigail Rappa, DPM

Cold feet are common and are often a normal response to cold temperatures. When the body is exposed to cold, blood vessels near the surface of the skin narrow, reducing blood flow to the extremities and directing more blood toward the body's core. This helps conserve heat and maintain the body's internal temperature. People with less body fat may be more sensitive to cold because they have less insulation. However, cold feet can have many other causes. In some cases, the feet are actually...

Running shoes are often blamed when a runner develops foot or leg pain. Maybe the shoes feel different than they used to. Maybe a new pair seems to cause blisters. Or perhaps someone has told you that your flat feet, high arches, or running style means you need a specific type of shoe. But the relationship between running shoes and injury is more complicated than that. Research suggests that running injuries have many possible causes, and there is not strong evidence that one particular type...

Cracked heels develop when the skin on the heels becomes dry and thickened. The heels naturally experience significant pressure and friction during walking and standing, which often leads to the formation of calluses. When these calluses become excessively dry, the skin can split, resulting in painful cracks known as heel fissures. Certain medical conditions and age-related changes can also increase a person’s risk of developing cracked heels. Several factors can contribute to the...