Calluses are typically not a serious health problem, yet they tend to be a highly unaesthetic one. Although prevention in the form of reducing friction is the best idea, there are several ways in which calluses can be removed.
Calluses are essentially a hardening of the skin in response to
excessive friction. Typically occurring on the surface of the feet,
this distressing beauty problem is a basic protective mechanism of
the skin that can occur due to pressure that is applied on the feet
by certain types of footwear. Although calluses are typically seen
as relatively harmless from a health stand point, neglecting this
issue can result in pain and even infection.
Understanding the causes is often helpful as it can reveal possible
prevention strategies. The most common causes of this problem are:
wearing high heels often or very tight fitted shoes, excessive body
weight, highly ached feet or flat feet, short Achilles tendon or
activities that increase the pressure normally applied on the
skin.
Although not all of these causes can be eliminated, some simple
changes, such as choosing more comfortable shoes or wearing socks
that offer a better cushioning are easy prevention strategies that
can be applied immediately. Padded shoe inserts are an equally good
solution for those who suffer from recurring calluses due to feet
deformities.
In addition to these simple tips, there are also some self care
strategies that can help minimize this problem. Soaking your feet
in warm water for approximately 20 minutes is not only relaxing,
but also beneficial. Adding Epsom or seas salt, baking soda ,
chamomile tea or apple cider vinegar can help reduce swelling and
deal with the calluses a lot easier. A paste of aspirin and lemon
juice applied to the affected areas overnight is a home remedy that
can be tried as well.
Using a pumice stone to lightly remove some of the hardened skin or
a gentle exfoliator can also be helpful. Investing in a good
moisturizing cream and applying it religiously will also help speed
up the healing process. Looking for topical skin care creams that contain salicylic acid
is recommended as this ingredient is believed to accelerate the
healing process the most.
Although cutting calluses has become a rather common practice, this
method is highly unrecommended as it can lead to injuries and
infection. The risks are particularly high for those who have
diabetes or cardiovascular problems who should consult a
professional rather then trying to solve this problem themselves.
Despite the fact that calluses are a relatively trivial problem for
generally healthy people, as long as it is painless, there are some
cases which might require seeking medical assistance. If calluses
become painful or inflamed or worse, they start to bleed, seeking a
podiatrist is by far the best solution for fast healing.
Photo credit: Thinkstock Photos