Have you ever had to walk or be on your feet for long periods of time? You do this for weeks on end but now your feet are beginning to bother you. You go home, take your shoes and socks off, start rubbing your feet and you feel it. Some of the roughest skin you have ever felt in your life. Its probably a callus. How did it get there? What do I do to get rid of it? Is it dangerous? We can answer these questions and more and tell you how to get relief.
What is a Callus?
I think we all may encounter a callus on our feet at least once in our lives. You can also get them on your toes and hands. A foot callus is a hardened area on the bottom of your foot. Think of how your skin is on the bottom of your foot. Its not normally too thick, but when you have a callus, you can actually see the skin because its so hard and white. It usually occurs in just one spot but it can happen on the entire bottom of the foot or anywhere that has pressure points. At that point, it may be time to get professional treatment.
Corns are like callus but are usually smaller and deeper into the skin. They tend to have inflamed skin around them and can sometimes be painful to touch.
What Causes a Callus
A callus is caused by excessive rubbing or friction. It can form on any part of the body, but is most common on the feet, hands, and elbows. It can be painful and difficult to remove in severe cases. There are several causes of calluses, including:
- -Excessive friction from wearing shoes or other footwear that is too tight or too large
- –Genetics
- -Wearing socks that are too tight
- -Walking without socks
- -Being too inactive or not using the skin enough
- -Having dry skin
- -Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or psoriasis
- -Smoking
- -Foot Deformities
Are Calluses Dangerous
Any type of medical condition that goes untreated for too long, always has the ability to turn into something more complex. This is especially true for people with problems that already exist in the feet such as diabetics. Diabetics have a higher risk of complications when it comes to feet because they may have poor circulation and not realize the damage being done. You can read more about how diabetes affects your feet here. In any case, its always best to speak to a physician when you are in pain or not able to walk with the callus.
How to Prevent Calluses
You basically want to do the opposite of what was listed above to prevent a corn or callus. While sometimes they can’t be prevented, you can do the best you can at trying to deter them. Obviously, with something like genetics, it won’t matter what steps you take but it doesn’t hurt to try.
How to Treat Calluses
If you already have them, there are a few things you can try.
- Trimming down the excess skin. This should be done by a professional and not by you. Using a sharp razor could lead to infection. Also, it shouldn’t be done by nail salons.
- Soak your feet and use a pumice stone to thin the hard skin.
- Use shoe inserts for better cushion when you walk
- Use protection pads and cushions on your feet
- Keep your skin moisturized
- Surgery for severe cases
Corns and calluses can be maintained and well managed when taking care of your feet. There are cases when a person will have to see a doctor and get treated medically. Remember to always be aware of your situation and talk to your doctor about what’s best for you. And if you have diabetes or some other ailment, be sure to be careful trying do it yourself things at home. Your doctors are there to help!
