Callus

What is a callus?

A callus is an area of hard, dead skin that develops wherever your skin is subject to repetitive friction and pressure. Manual workers often have calluses on their palms from constantly using tools, but a callus can develop on any part of the body.  The formation of a callus is to protect the body from open wounds.

Calluses on the feet often develop from wearing unsuitable shoes, with high heels being the most likely to cause calluses. Because of this, women are four times as likely to get calluses as men. If the callus is on the bottom of the foot, it’s known as a plantar callus.

Are calluses something I should worry about?

Most calluses are road maps of high pressure or friction areas to the feet.  More often than not calluses although painful do not lead to major medical problems.  However, calluses can lead to ulcerations if not treated. This is more common with vascular compromise, diabetes, neuropathy, and the geriatric population as a whole. If you do experience pain or discomfort, it’s worth getting a podiatrist at Kalmar Family Podiatry to check your calluses in case they are corns or warts, which would require treatment.

What can be done to get rid of calluses?

Your calluses disappear naturally when you remove the source of pressure or friction on the skin that caused them. This may be helpful with improper shoe gear, however, foot abnormalities and biomechanics can be the cause of said calluses and may need further investigation. Orthotic management may correct some biomechanical issues leading to callus formation. If your calluses are particularly thick or unsightly, your podiatrist can shave the top layers of dead skin away to reduce them.

We do not recommend home care of calluses with a pumice stone, blade or any other device.  Home treatment increases the risk of open wounds, and infection. This is especially true with immunocompromised patients, diabetics and patients with circulation issues to name a few.  Unfortunately, instances of amputations have occurred that started from simple home callus treatment.

To help prevent calluses from forming, keep your feet clean and dry and wear socks and well-fitting shoes. If you can feel a constant rubbing on any part of your foot as you walk, try to remove the cause of the friction.

Your calluses may be developing as a result of a structural abnormality in your foot, rotation in your hips, or a problem with your gait. If this is the case, your podiatrist can design custom orthotics for your shoes to correct any abnormalities or may discuss the possibility of surgery in some instances.

Calluses may not be a serious problem, but they can be annoying and unsightly, and in some cases what looks like a callus may be something else, such as a wart. If you have any concerns about calluses or other problems with your feet, call Kalmar Family Podiatry today, or book an appointment online.