The American Podiatric Medical Association reports that nearly 4% of people in the United States struggle with calluses yearly. When you wear ill-fitting shoes, your skin adapts to the friction caused by forming calluses Bakersfield to protect the inner layers. Below are some of the things to remember concerning calluses.
How calluses develop
Like corns, calluses are tough, thick layers of skin formed on top of the skin. Calluses usually develop when an area of your skin receives intense, repetitive pressure or friction. That happens to protect the inner skin’s structure from more pressure that can lead to injury or historyglow damage.
Calluses can develop on your palms or other body sections exposed to constant friction. The body areas also prone to the development of calluses are the foot’s ball, fingertips, and the top or side of your toe.
Causes of calluses
You may risk developing calluses if you often wear tight shoes, have feet that sweat a lot, or walk or stand for a long time. Additionally, if the shoes you wear have a lot of space, they can encourage unrestricted movement of your feet. As a result, as your feet move, they can frequently rub against themselves on the shoes and trigger calluses.
Calluses can also emerge when you do not regularly wear socks. Wearing socks provides a buffer between your feet and your shoes. Consequently, the skin of your feet does not directly rub against worn shoes, making it harder for calluses to emerge.
Using your hands, especially to write, handle tools, or play a musical instrument like the guitar, can also stimulate the development of calluses.
The difference between calluses and corns
Corns and calluses are skin conditions associated with skin irritation, thickening, and hardening. However, a callus usually covers a larger, wider skin area. Unlike corns, calluses also have edges that are poorly defined.
Because calluses are relatively bigger than corns, they can cause pain when on your feet. That can happen especially when calluses are strained during walking or running.
Possible complications of calluses
Your calluses can become severe and dangerous without treatment. Severe skin thickening can enlarge and affect other healthy tissues, reducing your ability to move or walk. You will also have to deal with persistent pain and discomfort.
Furthermore, if you have chronic high blood glucose (diabetes), calluses can crack and be infected, leading to sores, particularly in your feet. A cracked callus on the ball of your feet or your heel can bleed and even get infected. If you have diabetes and calluses, always check for signs of infections or sores.
Remedies for calluses
A foot care specialist can recommend the removal of the tough, thick skin affecting your foot. However, the doctor must also address the cause of the callus. Trimming your callus without addressing its cause will lead to its appearance within one or more techybio months.
Your doctor can also recommend you wear shoes with enough space. Excellently fitting shoes discourage the buildup of pressure on the skin of your feet and toes.
Contact Diabetic Foot and Wound Center today to schedule an appointment with your podiatrist.
