Why is callus dangerous and how to remove it?

What is a callus?

Any corn is a collection of hardened, thick areas of skin. A callus in which a dense core, or root, is formed is called a core callus. These skin lesions are most often meet on the feet and hurt when pressed.

Typically a callus small and round. At first, its root may be small, but over time it grows and goes deep under the skin.

Why is callus dangerous?

If you do nothing with such a callus, its core will continue to grow: the pain will intensifyyou will have difficulty walking.

For people with diabetes or other chronic diseases that affect circulation, the situation may bring to foot ulcers, bacterial or fungal infections.

Calluses are often located in close proximity to joints. Therefore, if they are not treated, growing risk of septic arthritis or bone infection – osteomyelitis.

May also to appear mycosis of the feet and maceration – waterlogging, due to which blisters appear under the top layer of skin. They may burst.

Where does callus come from?

All dry calluses, including core ones, appear for one reason: something is rubbing the skin or pressing on it. This could be, for example, uncomfortable shoes. Or perhaps you simply put excessive stress on your feet by walking barefoot on a hard surface, or forgot to wear socks under unworn shoes.

Due to prolonged mechanical pressure, the skin cannot shed old cells. They accumulate on the surface are compressed and turn into a dense keratinized layer – a dry callus. The longer the epidermis is under stress, the denser and more noticeable the corns.

There is only one difference in the formation of a regular dry callus and a core callus. In the first case, the pressure on the skin is distributed over a more or less extensive area, for example, over the entire heel, and in the second, something presses on a specific point.

Who most often develops callus?

Callus can occur in any person, but most often with them collide:

• Aged people. Over the years, the amount of tissue needed for shock absorption in the lower part of the foot is lost. This changes the shape of the feet and affects the fit of shoes or socks.
• Those who wear uncomfortable shoes. Too wide or, on the contrary, narrow shoes can rub, and the heel can put pressure on the heel.
• Those who are overweight. Excess weight affects gait because body weight presses unevenly on the foot. In addition, obesity can cause foot deformities.
• People with diabetes. These people are at risk for peripheral neuropathy, a condition that causes numbness and muscle weakness in the feet. Lack of sensitivity can lead to constant excessive pressure on them – and the person will not even notice it.
• Those who wear socks that are the wrong size or don’t wear them at all. Socks that are too big slip off and rub, and tight ones press on. And if you walk without socks at all, your foot is left without protection.
• Having foot deformities. Hammertoes and bunions can rub against hard materials, while flat feet, dropped arches, and wide feet affect the fit of the shoe. Changes caused by osteoarthritis or injury can also increase the risk of calluses.
• Those who play sports. Callus formation is natural attempt protect the skin from prolonged or excessive pressure and friction during sports.

How to find out that it is a core callus and not some other one

Sometimes it can be difficult to discern whether the corn that is bothering you has a root. To avoid mistakes, be guided by other characteristic signs of a callus.

Location

Most often, core calluses occur where the skin I’m not used to it to the load.

In people with flat feet calluses can appear on the sole of the foot, between the index and ring toes. For those with high arches, this occurs in the area of ​​the big toe and little toe. And in people with hammertoes, calluses appear on the bends of the fingers.

Sometimes the palms suffer. For example, those who overworked the barbell.

In other places, core callus, although possible, is unlikely.

Dimensions and shape

Unlike a corn, which can have a variety of shapes, a callus is always roundedsmall and convex.

A small round depression in the center of the callus

This is how the visible part of the rod manifests itself. Please note that if the callus has formed on the top side of the fingers, the indentation may be almost invisible.

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Calluses on toes. Source: Songrit Kamolmarttayakul / shutterstock

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Rod callus on the foot – in the photo the rod has already been removed. Source: Migren art / shutterstock

Pain when pressing

A common dry callus may be uncomfortable, but it doesn’t hurt. If you feel pain when you press on the corn, most likely it has grown a stem.

What to do yourself so that the callus bothers you less

Here are some measures you can acceptso that the callus does not hurt and does not grow.

1. Use unloading patches

Pharmacies sell special patches in the form of donuts – they are glued so that the callus is in the center. This helps protect the area from irritation and relieves pain and pressure.

2. Choose the right shoes

It is better to prefer comfortable models with increased width and height in the toe area.

3. Apply a cold compress

It will relieve swelling and pain in the callus area. You need to keep the compress for no longer than 20 minutes.

4. Include regular home care

To soften the skin, use creams with urea. Treat calluses regularly with a special nail file or pumice stone.

When to go to the doctor

Trying to get rid of a callus on your own can lead to severe bleeding or infection. Therefore it is especially important address See a podiatrist or dermatologist experienced in treating calluses if you have diabetes, circulatory problems, or heart disease. With these conditions, self-removal can be dangerous.

There is also a reason to make an appointment if the callus:

• looks inflamed, swelling forms around it, and pus is released from the callus itself;
• hurts and causes discomfort;
• forms in the same place over and over again – this may be a sign that you have abnormal bone structure or misalignment.

You should also see a doctor if you have tried to get rid of the callus with home remedies, but the affected area still continues to cause discomfort.

How a doctor removes a callus

A podiatrist or dermatologist will examine the callus, assess its location and the depth of the core. And depending on this, he will offer you treatment. Usually a doctor appoints emollient creams, acid exfoliants, vitamin D ointments and retinoids – both topically and internally.

In some cases, hardware pedicure will be sufficient. There are situations when it is required pruning – a procedure in which a podiatrist uses a sharp instrument to cut away the outer layers of skin that make up the callus. And sometimes it is impossible to do without surgery to correct the position of the bone causing friction.

There are other methods, such as laser removal or cryodestruction — elimination of callus using liquid nitrogen. But this is a somewhat questionable method, since nitrogen also damages normal skin. Because of this, the wound takes longer to heal.

How to remove callus at home

Mayo Clinic Research Center Experts offer following methods. You can choose one or combine several.

1. Make a warm bath and use pumice

Lower place the part of the body with the callus in warm water for 5–10 minutes. This is necessary for the skin to absorb moisture and become softer.

Then moisten the pumice stone in the same water and, using gentle circular movements, try to remove the stratum corneum. Do not press too hard so as not to rub the skin until it bleeds.

Under no circumstances use sharp objects to pull out the rod: you risk introducing an infection into the wound.

It is unlikely that you will be able to get rid of callus using baths in one day. The procedure will have to be repeated at least two or three times.

2. Use moisturizer

Thanks to this, the layer of dead skin will become looser and begin to peel off.

Look for products containing urea or ammonium lactate. These ingredients will soften the skin over time.

It is best to apply the cream after a bath. To consolidate the effect, put on cotton socks or a glove on top if a callus has formed on the palm or finger.

3. Buy a special patch

Pharmacy plasters for calluses contain a lot of salicylic acid. This substance destroys connections between epidermal cells and makes the corn more loose, making it easier to remove.

The patch is glued to the callus and replaced from time to time with a new one – as often as stated in the instructions.

When using the patch, try to ensure that the active part does not touch healthy skin. Salicylic acid can damage it. It’s special dangerous For people with diabetes or other conditions that impair blood flow, bacteria entering the wound can lead to a serious infection.

4. Use other anti-callus products

In pharmacies you can buy creams with salicylic acid, ammonium lactate or urea. These ingredients break down the bonds between dead skin cells and cause them to slough off.

How not to remove a callus

On the Internet you can find recommendations on how to combat calluses using traditional methods. True, there is little evidence in them. But side effects may occur:

• Vinegar lotions can become reason burn.
• Garlic paste can call severe skin irritation, although it extract in some cases it can be useful.
• Compresses with celandine juice can cause allergic reactions.
• Long-term use of a paste made from a mixture of mustard powder and ground turmeric can cause burns, blisters and ulcers on the skin.

What to do to prevent calluses from appearing

The answer is obvious: do not put excessive pressure on the skin. Here’s what experts at the American Academy of Dermatology advise.

1. Wear comfortable shoes

Incorrectly chosen shoes – too tight or loose on the foot – with a high probability will lead to the appearance of calluses, including core ones.

2. Wear socks

Make sure your socks sitting It’s tight enough and doesn’t bunch up under your feet.

3. Cut your nails on time

Due to too long nails, the toes do not fit into the shoes and become bent. In this case, even shoes or boots chosen to fit begin to press.

4. Use special shoe pads

Silicone gaskets or patches can be purchased at any pharmacy. Their fasten on problem areas in shoes or on the foot and thus protect the skin from excessive pressure.

5. Separate your toes

This will help reduce friction. As gaskets experts advise use sheep’s wool rather than cotton.

6. Wear protective gloves if necessary

If you lift weights, row, or do a lot of cycling, gloves will protect your palms and fingers from friction and excess pressure.

7. Take care of your skin

Every day wash feet and hands with warm, soapy water and apply moisturizer to keep skin soft and supple.