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Calluses: symptoms and removal

Calluses are thickened and hardened areas of skin that develop as a response to moderate repeated friction and pressure to the skin. They form as a body’s protective reaction to protect the underlying skin.

What is a callus?

Calluses are areas of thickened skin that normally occur on the heels or soles of the feet where there’s frequent rubbing pressure over an extended period of time. A callus on foot is usually painless, but severe heel calluses can crack and result in heel cracks which can be painful. If the friction and rubbing is too extensive for the skin to develop a protective callus, a blister will form.

What does a callus look like?

Calluses are larger in size, can have dry skin around them and do not have as well-defined edges as corns. Corns are also thickened and hardened areas of skin but have a different shape and can be painful. The thick callused skin is often less sensitive to touch than the surrounding skin.

Foot callus removal

Calluses are treated by rehydration, conditioning, and healing of the skin. Below, you can learn more about how to get rid of calluses on feet:

 

  • Use Salvequick’s all-in-one Foot Rescue Cream that effectively prevents and treats calluses with no burning or itchy feeling. The unique formula with the active ingredient 1,5-Pentanediol provides a strong moisturizing effect and supports the skin’s natural renewal process. It leaves your feet feeling soft and smooth. In addition, the foot cream is antimicrobial and strengthens the feet’s natural barriers. This cream also treats and prevents heel cracks, dryness, athlete’s foot and bad smell. Visible results in two weeks!

 

  • If you do not use the all-in-one foot cream, you should regularly soak your feet in a foot bath with lukewarm water and then carefully use a pumice stone (for example Salvequick’s Pumice Stone) or foot file as a hard skin remover. Finally, you should moisture the feet with a foot cream or ointment.

 

  • You can also use an instant callus peel, for example Salvequick’s Exfoliating Socks, as a callus remover to easily reduce rough skin from your feet with one single treatment. This method is suitable for those wondering how to get rid of hard skin on feet quickly.

 

How to relieve pressure on the calluses

To relieve pressure on the thick, rough area of skin you can use protective coverings like heel pads, insoles, and other protectors. For example, you can use Salvequick’s Plantar Protector for pressure and forefoot pain relief and to prevent calluses from forming.

How to prevent calluses on feet

If you experience that hard skin on feet keeps coming back, you need to minimize rubbing and pressure to the skin. For example, many get a recurring callus on big toe (hard skin on big toe or hard skin on side of big toe), or a callus on the balls of the feet or heels.

Use footwear that fit properly

The most prominent cause of calluses is bad fitting shoes which is a source of pressure and friction. Therefore, it is essential to wear shoes that are neither too tight, loose, or high-heeled or have hard soles or badly placed seams. The shoes should not pinch, rub, or put the feet under excessive pressure. Avoid tight shoes and heels. Heels can put a lot of pressure on the balls of the feet which can cause a plantar callus. You should have plenty of room for your toes and be able to wiggle them, but if you wear too loose shoes the foot may repeatedly slide and rub against the shoe. In addition, you should avoid hard-soled shoes without cushioning. If the seams of the shoes are badly placed your foot may rub against them and it might cause irritation.

 

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Use footwear and do not walk barefoot

When walking barefoot you expose the feet to pressure and friction from the ground which can cause a foot callus.

 

Use socks when wearing shoes

If you wear shoes or sandals without socks it can cause friction on your feet. Use socks that fit properly and are comfortable.

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