What Really is a Callus?
A callus is an area of thickened skin that forms as a response to repeated friction, pressure, or other irritation.
Calluses are usually pale in color or may even resemble a yellow tint. They feel harder than the skin around them and are typically less sensitive to touch. A callus will commonly appear where the skin frequently rubs against something such as footwear or hard surfaces.
Furthermore, calluses will typically form on the area of the foot where the person takes the most weight such as the ball of the foot or the heel.
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While calluses are not life threatening, they do come with side effects and should be addressed by a Podiatrist if simple home treatment does not work.
Home Remedies for Calluses
If your callus is in its beginning stages there are a few ways that you can treat it from home.
- Use apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball directly on your callus for 15 minutes to soften it. Due to its acidic nature, its properties can help soften and dissolve the hardened skin.
- Try using fine grade sandpaper to gently rub off layers of your callus.
- Mix baking soda and lemon juice. This remedy sparks a reaction that makes calluses easier to remove. Mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of lemon juice into a basin of warm water, then add in the baking soda. The fine grains of the baking soda and the fizzy action of adding it to the lemon juice might give this soak some extra callus-dissolving power.
If these options don’t work to fully eradicate your calluses, we suggest making an appointment with one of our offices.
Our Doctors at Da Vinci Foot and Ankle can help diagnose why and how your callus was formed by examining your footwear, looking at the way you walk and where you hold the most pressure, and with repetitive cases we can take x-rays of your feet to look at the underlying bony structure to determine if there are any abnormalities that might contribute to forming a callus.
Callus Removal Options In-Office
There are a variety of callus removal options at Da Vinci Foot and Ankle, both conservative and surgical.
Dr. Christopher Menke and Dr. Allison Menke can recommend various prescription strength moisturizing creams to initiate callus removal. Additional options include custom orthotics to offload bony prominences. In addition, Da Vinci Foot & Ankle carries multiple over-the-counter orthotics options in addition to making custom orthotics in our Greensboro, GA office.
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If conservative options do not alleviate the problem, surgery performed by one of our physicians locally at St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital in Greensboro, GA, may be something to consider.
If you are concerned about your feet and need to speak with a foot specialist in your area, call our office at 706.999.9994 or request an appointment online.
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