How to prevent Calluses?

PrintEmailSave

Main Image: 

Our feet suffer most neglect, wear and tear, and injuries unlike any other body part. They bear our body weight while walking, standing or running. We wear different types of shoes for different situations. Footwear secures our feet from getting hurt. However, ill-fitted shoes increase pressure on the feet. This can cause callus formation. During seasonal changes, our feet get affected by infected. If left untreated, abscesses can lead to serious hardening of epithelial layer. Hard, thickened epithelial layer can appear anywhere on the bottom of the feet, palms and fingers.

What Are Calluses?

A horny thickening caused due to repeated pressure, friction, or other irritation especially on the feet and toes is termed as callus. They appear yellowish or grayish in color. It is formed due to hyperkeratosis, a process in which the skin’s outer layer is thickened. Wearing tight shoes can trigger repeated pressure on the toes. Calluses appear mostly on the foot sole. Rubbing of blisters can cause calluses. Besides, foot calluses also occur due to obesity, faulty way of walking, or odd shaped foot or toe. Most calluses are benign in nature. Moreover they are much easier to prevent than to treat. In diabetics, calluses can cause infection or skin ulceration. A podiatrist must be consulted to remove a callus. Deep cutting can lead to infection. Milder cases can be treated at home. 

What are the Causes of Calluses?

Calluses are caused due to contant pressure and friction on a part of the foot or toes. The body tries to relieve the injury and pain by thickening the skin at the site of injury. More layers of basal epidermal cells are formed at the site to thicken the skin in order to protect the location from furthur damage. The pressure can be caused by wearing ill-fitting sneakers or sometimes due to bone deformity in a person. The bone deformity can make a person more susceptible to calluses.

How to Remove Calluses at Home?

Thin calluses can be easily removed at home. Here are the step-by-step guidelines:

• Firstly, wash the affected skin portion thoroughly with an antiseptic soap to remove traces of dirt. This is very important because dirt can cause serious infection. You can use pumice stone to remove traces of dead skin. If absence of pumice stone, you can also use a washcloth.
• Add around 2 to 3 tsp of baking soda to warm water. Soak the affected area for half an hour. The baking soda and warm water will dissolve the dead skin and help in speeding up the healing process.
• Dry the affected portion completely with soft napkin or towel. Never leave the affected area damp as it can serve as an invitation to infection.
• Now, sprinkle corn starch on the affected portion. It will help the area to become completely dry.
• Cover the calluses with a bandage soaked in vinegar. Leave it overnight. Remove it in the morning.

How Are Calluses Removed Surgically?

A Podiatrist removes callus by cutting it off by a scalpel. Salicylic acid is also used to meltdown the hardened skin. This acid can be bought over the counter. A qualified doctor is well-versed in using it in right concentration. It helps to remove calluses quickly. Physicians may recommend You do not have access to view this node patches. They include 40% You do not have access to view this node.

How to Prevent Calluses?

In order to avoid occurrence of calluses, try the following preventive measures:

• Tight shoes that pinch can cause calluses. Therefore, always wear well fitting shoes.
• If you cannot avoid rubbing of shoes, try using wear pads or bandage. This will help to reduce frictional moment. For hands, always wear gloves when you are involved in heavy duty and repetitive type of work to prevent calluses.
• Deformities of feet like bunions, hammertoes can make your feet change their shape. This can cause friction between the shoes and feet resulting in calluses. Try to take care of your feet deformities so that you do not develop corn and calluses.

Related Videos: 

Related Images: