What You Need to Know About Calluses

We’ve all had our fair share of foot horror stories, including the occasional bleeding toes and light bouts of Athlete’s Foot. One of the most common and pressing problems remain to be callus, however, which is a section of the skin that has toughened and thickened over time. This is usually because of constant exposure to pressure, friction, and irritation. Although it can concur on various parts of the body, including hands and elbows, they’re more common on the feet. 

The toughened skin is yellowish and pale, characterized by the lumpy and thick feeling once touched. It’s also arguably less sensitive compared to the skin around it, with less defined edges that encompass wider areas. Although generally harmful, calluses can eventually lead to certain conditions, most of which can be detrimental to your health.

A little knowledge goes a long way, so to learn more about this unsightly yellowish part of your foot, here is a quick guide you can follow. We answer your most pressing questions:

In what ways can calluses become problematic?

• They can eventually cause pain or discomfort: As previously mentioned, calluses are less sensitive, meaning that they aren’t usually painful. Unfortunately, any attempts of getting rid of them can leave your skin raw and sensitive, causing open wounds. Due to the lack of feeling, it’s easy to dig deep and cut at your skin.

• They can eventually crack and lead to infections: Calluses are essentially dry and thickened skin, which essentially leads to cracks due to constant pressure. These fissures can be painful, leaving your foot susceptible to infections. 

• They can exacerbate your diabetic conditions: If you’re someone suffering from diabetes, these calluses can lead to dire conditions. Thickened and dry skin can break down over time, leading to open wounds that develop into foot ulcers. Non-healing diabetic wounds can eventually damage your tissues, leading to dreaded amputations. 

Can calluses be treated at home?

Treating calluses at home is entirely possible, but you need to dedicate the time and effort to ensure that patches of your skin never develop into thickened and yellowish skin. Here’s what you can do:

• Soaking in warm water: To avoid breakage and open wounds, make sure to soak your callused foot in warm water for up to 10 minutes. Gather your pumice stone or file tool and gently remove the excess skin, taking extra care not to harm the surrounding skin.

• Wearing better-fitting socks and shoes, along with protective pads: Calluses happen due to constant exposure to pressure, so you’ll want to make sure that your feet are reasonably protected. Invest in footgear that fits well, as well as foam and silicone wedges to help alleviate pressures during long walks. 

• Investing in moisturizers and topical solutions: You’ll want to keep your callused foot as soft as possible, so make sure to use products that help keep your skin moisturized and ready for scraping. The use of such solutions also prevents it from cracking, keeping painful fissures, and wounds from ever happening. 

Taking Good Care of Your Feet 

Your feet are notoriously overlooked and uncared for, making it susceptible to various skin conditions, including calluses. Suffering from such conditions should never be taken lightly, especially since it can lead to irreversible damage. You’ll want to invest in home treatment care plans that keep your feet happy and healthy—away from cracks, fissures, and painful conditions.

For the best callus remover, ClearZal has you covered. We offer you a proven Hard Skin Remover used by Doctors exfoliates thick skin and moisturizes the skin.