What are calluses?
Calluses are thickened, hardened parts of the skin or soft tissue, most evident in areas that are subjected to constant friction. Formed as a result of your skin trying to protect itself from abrasions, calluses can develop anywhere on the body like the soles of the feet or a guitarist’s fingertips. They are most commonly seen on feet but can occur on the knees, elbows, and hands as well. Calluses are hardly ever painful and are not well-defined but can be identified due to their yellowish or pale color.
What are the causes?
Calluses are often a protective reaction from the body in order to prevent damage to the skin. They are caused by continuous pressure and friction to the skin in various forms -
- By standing for extended periods of time on a regular basis.
- By walking barefoot - since the soles of the feet are continuously exposed to rough, hard surfaces.
- By repeating actions or movements on a daily schedule like running or jogging.
- By wearing unsuitable shoes - whether too tight or too loose, ill-fitting shoes put pressure on the feet and cause a lot of friction due to their texture, stitches, and seams on the shoe walls.
- By avoiding socks - due to this, the feet are in direct contact with the rough texture of shoes without any protective layer between them.
- With age - due to the decrease in fatty tissue, there is less ‘padding’ which increases the chances of calluses.
What are the treatments?
While there are a host of over-the-counter treatments available for calluses, the more traditional forms are often preferred. These treatments are used in an attempt to remove the callus tissue, redistribute the pressure causing the calluses and remediate the elements causing friction. These treatments primarily help to soothe the pain and discomfort -
- Peeling and Exfoliating Foot Mask-This mask is one of the easiest available solutions to get rid of your calloused feet in 8-10 days by peeling off your dead skin leaving your feet soft and supple. Try LuxaDerme Peeling and Exfoliating Foot Mask. To check the 'how to use video' click here.
- Pumice Stone - Soak the callus in warm, soapy water for about 5 to 10 minutes till the skin softens. Then using a pumice stone, dipped in warm water, the callus needs to be filed gently in a circular or sideways motion.
- Moisturizing Lotion - Applying a moisturizing lotion or cream daily helps to soften and soothe the skin.
- Padding - Callus pads or insoles are adhesive pads that are put on callused areas to limit or entirely eliminate the constant pressure and friction.
- Toenail Trimming - Toenails that are too long cause your toes to push against the shoe. This puts pressure on the digits and can form calluses and corns over time. Regular trimming and grooming alleviate this pressure.
- Surgery - In rare cases, surgery may be required to reposition the bone that can be causing the pressure due to which the calluses are being formed.
