While your granddad may say that the thick skin on your sole is a testament to how hardworking you are, it still does not change the fact that having calluses on your toes is unsightly and potentially very painful.
Calluses: Definition
Known to the scientific community as tyloma, a callus refers to a portion of the skin that has thickened as a result of repetitive stress and friction. Unlike other foot afflictions that merely serve to incite pain, calluses actually occur to protect the skin. Although these hardened skin formations are found most often on the soles of our feet, they also occur on the different parts of the body where the skin is constantly exposed to abrasions. This is exactly why we find musicians, gymnasts, handy men and even our own dads with thick calluses forming in their hands. When calluses form on the foot, they are most common on the base of the toes where the skin rubs against the material of our shoes.
Calluses: Causes
Certain external factors can increase your chances of getting calluses such as:
- Poorly fitted shoes and socks
- Socks that brunch up or squeeze on the toes
- Walking barefoot
- Doing construction work
- Participating in athletic or high impact activities
Apart from these considerations, a number of internal factors can also lead to calluses. This includes:
- Structural foot deformities such as bunions and claw toes
- Over-pronation
- Skin conditions such as warts and scars
- Sweat gland disorders
Calluses: Symptoms
Calluses typically display hardened skin formation on hands and feet especially in areas with bony protrusions. Calluses may differ in skin color and can go from a reddish exterior to brownish or yellowish tones. Depending on your condition, these unsightly formations may occur with or without pain. Tenderness, burning sensations, and skin cracking may also accompany calluses.
Calluses: Treatments
Removing these unattractive skin formations can be done at home or with the help of a medical expert:
Self Care Treatments
- After every bath, make sure to rub your hardened soles with pumice stone to slough off hardened skin.
- Regularly shave off the hardened skin through the use of keratolytic agents that break up calluses.
- Use of custom made orthotic inserts to protect the skin from friction.
Medical Treatments
- Prescription of antibiotics to prevent infection.
- Surgically correcting protruding bone formations where calluses often develop.
Calluses: Prevention
- Wear properly fitting shoes and socks
- Use of foot pads in areas that are prone to calluses
- Keep feet clean and moisturized at all times
Ideal Feet Has a Solution!
Calluses can be reduced and prevented by realigning and balancing the feet. Ideal Feet products are uniquely designed to allow the bones, joints, and arches of the feet to find their proper alignment, which alleviates excess pressure off the heels and metatarsals where Calluses normally form.