How To Treat Those Pesky Calluses

No one enjoys having their feet burdened by calluses that might appear to be a protector of sorts, but in fact, can become very inflamed and painful if they persist without medical treatment. A callus is a section of skin that has become toughened and thick because of friction, pressure, or irritation. They often happen on the feet, but they can occur on the hands, elbows, or knees.

Calluses are yellowish or pale in color, feel lumpy to the touch, and may be less sensitive to touch compared with the skin around it. A callus is often bigger and wider than a similar condition called a ‘corns,’ with less defined edges, and they commonly appear where the skin frequently rubs against something, such as a bone, some item of footwear, or the ground. Typically form over the bony area just under the toes, a callus is the area of skin that takes the person’s weight when they are walking.

The causes and risk factors of a callus

As the initial signs of a callus are tender and make you feel as though you are walking on stones, there is a pain under the skin that has yet to harden on the surface. Your skin becomes dry, flaky, and a hardened bump emerges that turns thick and rough over time, this is the sign that medical advice is recommended, especially if the area of the skin is painful. If your circulation is already in poor condition, or you have fragile skin, or you’ve experienced nerve problems and numbness in your feet, these are precursors to talking with your doctor regarding home treatments.

Also, if you are diabetic, have peripheral neuropathy, or suffer from peripheral arterial disease, you need to be particularly diligent with noticing a callus as it begins to take shape. Following are causes and risk factors linked to a higher incidence of a callus formation:

●  Anything that causes pressure or friction on the skin
●  Shoes that are too tight or too high-heeled, which cause pressure
●  Shoes that are too loose, causing friction
●  A badly placed seam in a shoe that rubs against the skin
●  Socks that don’t fit well
●  Wearing no socks
●  Walking barefoot regularly, as the skin will thicken to protect itself
●  Repeated actions such as jogging or walking in a particular way

●  Older age, as there is less fatty tissue in the skin, which means less padding and a

higher risk of developing calluses, especially on the ball of the foot

Calluses appear more often on the feet, but friction and pressure can also cause calluses on the hands. If you frequently cycle or use hand tools without wearing gloves, you are at risk of developing them. Also, repeated kneeling or resting elbows on a table can cause calluses on the knees or elbows.

Treatment and remedies

Over-the-counter products are becoming increasingly popular, as people are seeking home solutions to those pesky calluses. For example, there are simple methods and remedies that can ease the hardened surface of the skin and over time, solve the problem. Soaking the callus in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes, then filing or scraping the area in a circular motion with a pumice stone works wonders.

Another extremely popular tool is our professional-type Foot File and Callus Remover with Built-In Vacuum. T his electric foot exfoliator is an excellent solution to keeping your feet soft, beautiful, and pain-free. It removes undesirable dead skin with a high-powered micro-abrasion head that rotates at high speed for maximum comfort, leaving your feet feeling sensational.

Remember that partaking in repetitive actions responsible for causing the callus in the first place might best be avoided until you are able to treat the skin area and get it under control. Have shoes and socks that fit properly, wear protective pads or insoles, and practice other self-care measures that will ensure your callus doesn’t get worse or doesn’t have a chance to appear in the first place.

Wrapping up

With treatment, a callus can be removed, but they also can return without lifestyle or footwear changes. Preventative measures to help reduce the likelihood of developing a callus are well-advised, however seeing your physician should any inflammation or pain around the skin area occur, is recommended as well. If you choose to have a regular checkup with a foot specialist, make certain that prior to the visit, you wear properly fitted shoes and socks, you wash your feet with soap and water every evening and scrub them lightly, and you deal with any foot pain as it arises.

Don’t allow a callus to slow you down. Take action. Seek treatment. Prevention is key.