Calluses are hyperkeratoses of the skin.
This is a thickening of the surface layer of the skin, usually in
response to pressure. Calluses usually form on the ball of the foot,
the heel, and the underside of the big toe (hallux). They may, however,
form over any bony prominence. Calluses may be simple thickening of
the skin. Sometimes they have a deep seated "core", known
as a nucleation. This type of callus can be exquisitely painful to
pressure, and is known to the podiatrist as an Intractable Plantar
Keratosis.
Symptoms
- A hard growth usually on the ball of the
foot
- Pain on weight bearing, relieved by rest
- Increased discomfort in thin soled and
high heeled shoes
- More common in women than men
Causes
- High heeled shoes
- Mal-alignment of the metatarsal bones
- Abnormalities of gait
- Flat feet and High arched feet
- Excessively long metatarsal bone
- Obesity
- Bony prominence
- Loss (atrophy) of fat pad on the underside
of the foot
- Short Achilles tendon
What you can do
- Avoid high heeled shoes
- Buy shoes with a good arch and shock absorbing
rubber sole
- Use an insole which absorbs shear forces
inside the shoe (e.g. SpencoŽ or SorbothaneŽ)
- Keep skin moist and supple with regular
application of a moisturizer
- Use a pumice stone or other abrasive to
reduce the thickness of the callus
- Apply non-medicated pads around the callus
to relieve pressure
- Apply moleskin over areas that tend to
callus
What the doctor may do
- Carefully debride (pare down) the callus
and any deep seated core it may have. It should be stressed that
this provides only temporary relief, if the pressure continues after
treatment.
- Apply various pads to relieve pressure
- Recommend appropriate shoes
- Prescribe orthotics to correct functional
problems
- Prescribe accommodative insoles to relieve
pressure
- Surgically realign metatarsals, or remove
bony prominences
Complications that can result from
corns
- Development of a bursitis - the formation
of a painful inflamed fluid-filled sac beneath the callus
- Discomfort of the back, hips, knees, legs,
or feet due to changes in posture and/or gait in an attempt to "protect"
the painful callus.
- Infection
- Development of an ulcer. An open area
that forms within the callus. This may even extend down to bone.
- Because of the serious consequences of
infection, diabetics and those with diminished circulation should
always seek professional help.
Other conditions which can resemble
calluses
- Verruca (warts)
- Various tumors of the skin and subcutaneous
(below the skin) tissues
- Reaction to a foreign body (e.g. sliver
or animal hair)
- Genetic or metabolic disorders of the
skin, and some drug reactions.
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