Calluses form as a means of protection. But over time, a callus can become too thick and cause pain.
Do you want to get rid of calluses? Our experienced podiatrist, Dr. Richard Hochman, offers some tips on what you can do at home to smooth out the thickened skin and alleviate any discomfort it causes.
Read on to learn more about calluses, how to treat them, and when it’s time to visit your podiatrist for expert care.
A callus is a thickened area of skin that develops as a means of protection in response to excess pressure or repetitive rubbing.
Since your feet endure so much stress and strain day in and day out, it’s normal to have calluses on the bottom of your feet around the heel, big toe, ball of the feet, and along the outer edge.
The thickened skin on your feet is less sensitive than the skin that surrounds it and not likely to cause pain or problems. But when calluses get thick or the skin gets too dry, they can develop cracks called fissures. Like any open wound, fissures increase risk of infection, especially for people with diabetes or vascular disease.
Other than standing and walking, you can also develop calluses wearing poorly fitted shoes, wearing shoes without socks, or walking around barefoot.
Having an unusual walking pattern (gait) or a foot deformity may also put too much pressure on a specific area of the foot, causing a callus to form.
You can reduce the thickness of your callus with at-home care.
First, soak your feet in warm water for 5-10 minutes. Then gently move a pumice stone over the callus, rubbing the stone against the skin in one direction to remove some of the thick, dead tissue.
Don’t rub away too much skin all at once or you may cause bleeding. Instead, repeat the soaking and rubbing over the course of a few days to smooth away the thickened skin. Apply a moisturizer to your skin after each treatment.
We also recommend wearing properly fitted shoes and keeping your toenails trimmed to reduce risk of a recurrence.
Avoid using sharp instruments to remove calluses. Bathroom surgery is dangerous and may cause cuts that lead to infections.
People with diabetes should never treat calluses at home. Diabetes affects circulation and sensation in the feet, making the skin more susceptible to injuries and infections. Even a small cut or blister can lead to serious foot infections for people with diabetes.
We also recommend scheduling a visit if you have a painful circular callus or a cluster of circular calluses on the ball or heel of the foot. These calluses are more likely plantar warts, and a pumice stone won’t work.
We can evaluate your foot problem and provide the most effective treatment.
You should also schedule a visit if your calluses are due to an abnormal gait or foot deformity. Treating the underlying cause of the callus with custom-made orthotics or a change in shoewear may prevent or delay complications and the need for surgical intervention.
Calluses are normal but require ongoing care so they don’t get too big or thick and cause problems.
If you have diabetes or painful calluses, you need expert podiatry care. Call our Coral Gables, Florida, office in the greater Miami area today or request an appointment with our skilled podiatrist online.
