Calluses: Causes, treatment and prevention

Calluses: Causes, treatment and prevention

A callus is a thickened area of skin, which occurs due to repeated irritation and friction. Calluses commonly develop on the feet. Although calluses are not dangerous, they can be unsightly and sometimes be tender. Usually, calluses can be treated successfully.

Corn vs. callus

Corns and calluses are similar. They both involve rough, hard skin that develops due to friction. But there are a few differences. A corn is usually smaller than a callus, and they tend to have a clearly defined center. Calluses are also typically larger than a corn. They also usually do not have clearly defined borders like a corn does.

Symptoms 

Calluses can occur on the knees and hands, but they are most common on the feet. In some cases, callouses can be tender or painful. Additional symptoms of a callus include the following:

• Yellow or pale area of hardened skin
• A painless raised bump
• Flakey dry skin

Causes 

Usually, a callus on the foot develops due to repeated friction and pressure on the skin. Causes of friction may include:

• Poor-fitting shoes: Shoes that are too tight can rub against your foot and lead to a callus. But shoes that are too big may also be a problem. The foot may slide around in the shoe, which repeatedly irritates the skin.
• Not wearing socks: Not wearing socks may cause your feet to continually rub against your shoes.
• Badly placed seam: A poorly placed seam in your shoe can cause repeated friction against your skin.
• Improper foot posture: Walking too heavily on the outer edge of the foot may lead to excess pressure on the skin.
• Sports: In some cases, certain sports might cause continued pressure on a specific area of the skin on your feet, leading to a callus.
• Surgery: Many painful corns and calluses can be treated with minimally invasive foot surgery with local anaesthetic in a podiatry office.

Treatment 

Depending on the extent of the callus, you may be able to treat it successfully at home. A callus may gradually go away. But there are a few things that may speed healing. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends the following home callus management:

Soak your feet: Place your feet in warm water for about 10 minutes to soften the skin.

Use a moisturizer: Apply a moisturizer after soaking your feet. 

Try a pumice stone: Use a pumice stone on the callus to help remove some of the toughened skin.

Don’t try to trim the skin yourself: Do not try to cut the tough skin yourself since it can lead to an infection.

If home treatment does not help, or your callus is painful, it is helpful to see a foot specialist. Professional treatment may include:

Trimming access skin: Your foot podiatrist may trim down the toughened skin.

Shoe inserts: If you have a foot problem that is leading to friction to an area of your foot, your foot specialist may recommend shoe inserts to correct any abnormalities.

Medication: Medicated patches that are applied to the skin can be useful in reducing calluses. Patches are available by prescription and also over the counter. But use them with caution since they contain salicylic acid and can lead to a burn if used too much.

Prevention 

If you tend to develop calluses on your feet, talk with your podiatrist to identify any foot problems that may be causing friction when you walk. In general, you may be able to reduce the frequency of calluses by doing the following:

• Wear socks with shoes to prevent friction.
• Wear properly fitted shoes that are not too tight and do not cause your foot to slide around.
• Keep toenails trimmed. Long nails may cause your toes to rub against your shoe. 

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Podiatrist, Sheldon Nadal, D.P.M at the Bayview Eglinton Podiatry Clinic in Toronto.