How to Treat Calluses

Calluses hurt, but you shouldn’t have to deal with it longer than you have to.calluses

While calluses don’t typically pose much of a threat to a healthy individual, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t painful and annoying. You may find that putting on shoes irritates it, or that you experience pain when you walk around. Since most people can’t just stop in their tracks because of calluses, our Alexandria, VA, podiatrist Dr. Angelo Pace offers up some tips for how to efficiently treat the issue.

What is a callus?

A callus is a rough, scaly and thick patch of skin that develops due to friction. Maybe you keep wearing tight-fitted or loose shoes that constantly rub against your skin as you walk. This is a common reason calluses form. Calluses can develop just about anywhere on the body. You may be more likely to notice calluses on a dancer’s feet or a guitar player’s fingers.

How are calluses treated?

A lot will depend on your health. If you have diabetes, nerve damage in your feet or circulation issues then you won’t want to treat the problem yourself, you will want to turn to our Alexandria, VA, foot doctor for care right away. If you notice any changes to your feet it’s always best to give us a call.

If you are someone who doesn’t have these conditions then you will most likely be able to just treat your callus from the comfort of your own home. Here are some steps you can take:

Soak: Place the callused foot into a warm water soak for about five to 10 minutes. This is usually enough time to soften the skin.

File it down: Now that the skin is soft enough, gently use a pumice stone to rub away the dead skin. You will want to be very careful and meticulous when you do this, as rubbing away too much skin could cause bleeding or an infection.

Moisturize: Once some of the dead skin has been rubbed away it’s important to lather up with a moisturizer. Using a moisturizer every day on your feet is one way to keep them supple, particularly during the colder winter months when feet are prone to cracking.

Protection: If you found that there is one pair of shoes in particular that leads to calluses you need to stop wearing these shoes. To prevent further irritation to the callus, you can apply a moleskin pad over it to protect it.

If you are concerned about calluses or other foot problems then isn’t it the perfect time to call Advanced Pace Foot and Ankle Center and schedule an appointment with our Alexandria, VA, foot specialist? Book with us today.