Walking causes you to put an immense amount of pressure on your feet, which can lead to foot problems over time, especially if you have ill-fitting shoes. Incorrect shoes can irritate areas of the foot with bone structure problems and create new foot issues such as toughening of the skin, called calluses. Our podiatrist in Rockville, MD, has some tips for treating calluses at home and when it’s time to take it to our professionals!
How Are Calluses Formed?
Calluses are formed by repeated pressure on the same area of your foot. In response to the pressure, your skin will form extra layers in an attempt to protect your skin. This leads to a bump or thick layer of skin over the affected area. Calluses can usually be avoided by wearing proper shoes and treating underlying podiatric problems.
Symptoms and Home Treatments
Warm Water Soaks. If you have thickened skin on your feet, you can first try soaking your feet in warm water to soften it and then rubbing away the layers of skin. Repeat the soaks a few times, and, if your calluses aren’t very severe, this might be the only treatment necessary!
If warm water isn’t enough, another method is to add Epsom salt to the soak. Epsom salt helps exfoliate the skin and slough away hardened layers. Mix 2 tablespoons into a bowl of warm water and let your feet soak. Afterward, dry your feet and apply a non-scented lotion to keep the skin soft.
Pumice Stone. In conjunction with warm water soaks, try using a pumice stone to slough off the skin. Be gentle and rub the stone over the callus in a circular motion. Give this a try over the course of a few soaks, not all at once!
Non-Medicated Callus Pads. Drugstores offer medicated callus and corn pads that contain salicylic acid, another type of exfoliant, which should generally be avoided as it can break the skin and cause further irritation. Instead, use non-medicated pads to protect your callus as it is healing and be sure to wear roomy, well-fitting shoes.
When to See Our Podiatrist
While these treatments usually help resolve most calluses, there’s always the chance that yours is a stubborn case! Our podiatrist can remove it professionally. If you have diabetes, it is especially important that you don’t try to treat your foot problems with at-home remedies or drugstore medications. If you end up with a wound or broken skin, it can progress to an open sore very quickly and cause serious damage. Be sure to contact our podiatrist if you are looking to treat calluses or corns!
Contact Our Podiatrist in Rockville, MD, Today to Schedule an Appointment!
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to podiatry, feel free to contact The Podiatry Center, with convenient podiatry offices located in Rockville, MD, by calling 301.660.8225 or by clicking here.
