Foot Calluses

Foot Calluses are gross and ugly – I know!

The blog guidelines recommend that I have lots of pictures in my blog.  But I’ll spare you this time. No one wants to look at foot calluses.

A foot callus can be gross, ugly and embarrassing…no one wants to have one let alone see pics of other people’s calluses. But it’s important to remember that the formation of calluses is part of the body’s defense system. Calluses are protective layers of compacted, dead skin cells or patches of skin that thicken, especially in bony areas, to protect the skin from damage or injury. Unfortunately, some people are prone to calluses because they have less cushioning tissue between the bones and skin of their feet and left untreated can lead to additional problems such as skin lesions (once again not going to gross you out with a picture of that).

If you suspect a callus is developing, look for symptoms such as:

• Thickening of skin, especially over a bony spot that doesn’t have distinct borders, but may be oval in shape
• Discoloration of thickened skin; could be red, brown, or yellow-gray
• May burn or throb

Remember, calluses are generally not painful or bothersome, but if proper treatment steps are not taken, the callus can become infected.

When Should You See a Doctor?

In most cases, calluses are painless but unattractive. A podiatrist can help you understand how to prevent the calluses from forming and can treat the callus or remove it for you. Many people try to remove calluses on their own by cutting them off or covering with a medicated pad, but doing this can cause further damage that can lead to infection. If you are diabetic, you should talk with your podiatrist at the first sign of changes on your skin. Untreated calluses, whether you are diabetic or not, can turn into foot ulcers. If you develop a fever and your callus has become infected, do not wait to contact us.