Common Treatments for Foot Calluses Transcript
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Hello, I’m Donna Robertson, Head of Training and Chief Pedorthist for Foot Solutions. Today we are going to discuss treatments for a common foot pathology known as calluses. Calluses are unattractive and sometimes painful patches of thick skin on your feet that form when dead skin cells harden and thicken over an area of the foot, usually the ball of the foot, the heel or big toe. Calluses feel hard or rough to the touch and seem higher than the rest of the surface. This buildup is our body’s defense against excessive pressure and friction. Eliminating the source of the friction or pressure is the first course of action. Calluses can be caused by wearing high-heeled shoes and/or shoes that are too small. They are also common in people with flat feet, high arched feet, and excess body weight. Excessive rolling inward of the foot, called over-pronation, and excessive rolling outward of the foot, (over-supination) as well as abnormal walking motions can encourage the formation of calluses. There are other foot conditions as well—such as the loss of the fat pad on the bottom of the foot—that can lead to this problem. It is important to note that you should not attempt to trim or cut callouses yourself. In addition to being dangerous, it can make the condition worse. If you have diabetes or poor circulation, call your doctor because the condition can lead to an infection that may be more difficult to treat. To address calluses, the following is recommended: Stop the pressure and friction causing calluses by having a specialist help you choose properly fitted shoes that absorb shock. Wear toe separators to eliminate friction Get treatment for other conditions that might be causing calluses Lose excess body weight; and Be fitted for custom orthotic insoles and arch supports to redistribute pressure and add support. To learn more, make an appointment with your local Foot Solutions Pedorthist or visit www.footsolutions.com. Your feet are the foundation of your health. Let us take care of them for you.
