Permanent Callus Removal

Calluses and corns occur when the skin thickens in response to friction or excessive pressure. They mostly occur on the feet since they take the brunt of everyday work. Calluses are a natural body response but may turn painful if left untreated for a long period of time. Your podiatrist can permanently remove your callus by scraping it off over a period of time.

Man looking at callus on his foot (Image: nebari/iStock/Getty Images)

Symptoms

The usual symptom of a callus is a thickening of the skin. This thickened skin is usually lighter in color and almost yellowish in appearance. In humid conditions, calluses may tend to become infected with fungus or bacteria, which can cause serious problems if left untreated.

Causes

According to ePodiatry, the most common causes of calluses are gait problems and wearing footwear that is too tight. When this happens, the natural response of the skin is to start thickening to protect itself from this pressure, but it may become painful over a period of time.

Treatment

Visit a podiatrist to find out about permanent callus removal. You may have to visit the doctor a couple of times during which he will scrape off the callus and also give advice on the kind of footwear you should use. If the underlying cause of a callus is a toe deformity, then he can work towards correcting it. Treatment for toe deformities can vary from special shoes to rest in minor cases and may require surgery in severe cases.

After Care

Wear shoes that are the correct size and give your feet a little breathing room. You should also keep your feet clean to avoid any risk of infection. If you have a gait problem and your work requires you to be on your feet you should take special care of your feet by using a pumice stone or emery board to help decrease the thick skin on your feet. You should also use emollients to keep your skin in good condition.

Problems

Although there are a lot of over-the-counter treatments available, it is best to visit your doctor first. Most callus ointments have chemicals that dissolve the thickened mass of skin; but if applied on healthy skin, these chemicals have the same affect, resulting in injury.