Dallas Podiatrist Shares Treatments for Calluses
Do you live in a cold climate? If so, you most likely wear gloves and hats to protect your skin from the elements. You may even slather on moisturizer to protect dry skin from cracking.
Did you know that your feet take protective measures too?
When your feet encounter a lot of friction, hardened layers of skin often develop to protect the skin from injury. This is called a callus. They are a common problem and often develop on the soles of the feet. They can occur from wearing tight high heels, obesity, an abnormality in a person’s gait or from having flat or high arched feet. With the right modifications though and finding and eliminating the source of pressure or friction, a callus will usually disappear on its own.
What if a callus is painful?
Foot specialists, Drs. Joel Brook, Arroyo, and McClurkin, often treat patients who have calluses that are causing them discomfort. Calluses can become inflamed and painful requiring specialized treatment. For some patients, a foot abnormality could be causing the recurrence of a callus. Custom orthotics are very helpful in cases like this to help relieve pressure on the affected area. For some patients, trimming down some of the thickened skin is an appropriate treatment option.
Many people try to take care of calluses on their own with tools to shave or trim down hardened skin. This is highly discouraged, especially for diabetics as it greatly increases the risk of injury, which could lead to a serious infection.
If you have a callus that is bothering you or has become painful, contact one of our podiatric offices for help. Make an appointment in Dallas by calling 972.853.7100 or Plano (972) 943-3323.