Callouses

Callouses are areas of thickened skin usually occuring due to excessive pressure and/or friction.

Causes

• Tight shoes
• High heeled shoes
• Shoe too small in length
• Toe box of shoe too shallow
• Abnormal foot function
• Malalignment of the toe/s
  (hammer toe, claw toe, mallet toe.)

Self Help

Ensure that your shoes are:

• The correct length.
• Wide enough at the front.
• Have adequate depth in the toe box and that the heel height does not exceed 1/2 an inch.

The daily application of a good emollient (moisturising) cream such as CCS footcare cream or E45 can also help to soften the callouses.

If you are over weight this will put your feet under extra strain. Losing just a few pounds could help your feet greatly.

Treatment

The treatment of callous involves the skilled reduction of the thickened mass with a scalpel.

The chiropodist will ensure that the skin is left smooth, even and comfortable to walk on.

After reduction of the area is complete, a felt, foam or fleecy pad will be applied to protect the area.

Note

Attempts to remove the thickened skin yourself, could result in irepairable damage to the skin, infection or a serious wound. Always seek treatment by a professional, state registered chiropodist, such as The Shand Practice.

Commonly, callusing is caused by poor foot function. Feet which possess a high arch structure or are excessively mobile and low arched may be the reason for thickened tissue.

If poor foot mechanics are the cause, custom prescription Foot Orthotics (in shoe corrective devices) can be made for you.

Orthotics help to properly align your feet and prevent the excessive pressure which this produces.

Callouses on the toes are often caused by the toe not being straight. If this is the problem, special toe moulds know as orthodigital silicone devices can be custom made for you to help realign your toe/s.

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