Callus

Callus is known as a local and reversible thickening of the horny layer of the skin. Callus can leave a scar which results from a chronic traumatic dermatitis. Calluses usually cause no harm, but can lead to other problems such as infection. Well-fitting shoes can prevent the formation of calluses on the feet. The best known form of callus is the so-called corns on the foot.

Callus causes

Corns and calluses form to protect an area subject from irritation, pressure or repeated friction. This causes a proliferation of skin cells, hyperkeratosis, resulting in a corn or callus. Some professional activities involve the development of calluses, but wearing too tight shoes may be responsible not only for callus but also for horns. When the callus is particularly thick or the skin suffers from dryness, it can be complicated by cracks. It occurs particularly in summer by wearing cut at the heel shoes.

Callus pictures

Corns and callus symptoms

Corns symptoms: well defined bulging, hard and pain on the toes or between
Callus symptoms: area of thick skin

Calluses and corns are caused by pressure or repeated friction, usually at a joint. A horn appears as a painful swelling on the superficial layer of the skin. Corns are usually observed on the toe or between toes. The calluses or corns appear on the hands and feet but also in other areas exposed to repeated trauma, particularly from professional, for example, the fingers of a guitarist, hands of a carpenter. The calluses are painful. There are no symptoms but the pain which appear when there are cracks and they open to the dermis.

Callus treatment

Treatment of calluses is done by a pumice stone to bathroom. These method bring only temporary relief. One should find an orthopedic in order to avoid recurrences. This reduces both friction and pressure, consequently, the skin can relax and stop the formation of protective coatings. If self-treatment brings no improvement, it must be performed a surgical correction. You should consult a physician or podiatrist if you have diabetes or poor circulation, disorders that increase the risk of infection, corns and calluses. You must also notify the doctor if calluses are showing signs of infection (redness, swelling, pain, induration, warmth, pus or crust). The physician is particularly wary if the patient is diabetic or has a disease that affects the circulatory system like corns and calluses, which can easily give rise to serious infections.

Callus remover

For corns, your doctor may prescribe a cream to apply twice daily and a pumice stone after showering or bathing. The pacient must then put a bandage that protects the horn. The doctor may also apply an anti-inflammatory on a corn or callus to eliminate pain and inflammation. Surgery is recommended as it creates new problems due to scars. The podiatrist can perform a hand grinding to remove the superficial layer of the cornea.

Callus

Callus is known as a hotbed of keratosis, a local and reversible thickening of the horny layer of the skin, formed on the sole of the foot under one of the heads of the metatarsals. It can happen that calluses grow deep into the skin, which is painful.

Foot callus facts

Pain in foot, relievingwhen resting
Discomfort when wearing shoes with thin soles and high heels
More frequent in women than in men