Calluses

What causes callus?

There are several causes for callus to form. These include; excessive pressure over bony areas, usually due to transverse frictional force, due to poorly fitting shoes and excessive walking or running. However, some people may have a genetic predisposition to excessive callus production.

What should I do if I have a callus?

If you have callus formation, a professional podiatrist will be able to perform the best treatment method. If you have a callus, we advise you to arrange an appointment with us here at Footfix. Our highly trained and HCPC registered podiatrists will be happy to help.

Treating a callus yourself can be difficult and, in some instances, if performed incorrectly, could actually make the problem worse.

Here are some of the things that you can do to treat a callus;

Wear thick and cushioned socks to prevent rubbing on your shoes
Wear wide, well-fitting shoes, again to prevent excess rubbing
Soak your feet in warm water to help soften the callus
Use a pumice stone to help remove the hard skin
Moisturise your feet to help keep the skin soft, but do not put the moisturise in between your toes
Do NOT attempt to cut or remove the callus

Podiatry treatment for callus

Our podiatrists can easily reduce calluses in a treatment session using a scalpel blade and an electric sanding band. This pain-free treatment aims to reduce pain or discomfort, restore normal appearance and improve skin function. By periodically having any callus debrided, you may be able to keep any discomfort they cause at bay.

This is not something to try with your handy razor blade at home. This type of “bathroom surgery” is likely to be ineffective at best and may even cause a serious infection. And before you run off to your local chemist for a “callus plaster,” keep in mind that these typically contain an acid. This caustic chemical has no intelligence—it cannot distinguish normal from abnormal skin and can often cause damage to the healthy skin surrounding the callus.

Once again, serious ulceration and/or infection may occur. Management of callus at Footfix includes:

A thorough assessment to determine the cause of the callus
A management/treatment plan that we will discuss with you after an assessment of the issue

The management plan may consist of:

Maintenance appointments to keep the callus reduced
Use of padding to prevent the pressure
Footwear fitting advice
Provision of customised fully functional orthotics or arch supports to relieve the stress under the foot

Surgical correction of the bony prominence that may be causing the high-pressure area may also be advised. If so, we will refer you on to our Consultant Foot and Ankle surgeon for a private consultation.

It is especially important that those with diabetes or poor circulation see a podiatrist for the management of callus.