Calluses (callus, callous, calloused) are hard, painful areas of skin that often develop on the feet in response to pressure or friction and is in response to the skin protecting an underlying area from injury, pressure, or rubbing. Thick foot callus (calluses) are not dangerous, but they can cause irritation and are more common among people who wear ill-fitting shoes, have sweaty feet, and those who stand for long periods each day and affect women more than men.
While corns tend to be smaller, round and well-defined, calluses are usually larger than corns, and they vary in shape. They are normally develop on the soles of the feet, especially under the heels or balls, on the palms of the hands, and also on the knees. Basically calluses occur on weight bearing parts of the foot while corns often occur in non-weight-bearing parts of the skin.
A thick callus is a section of skin that has become toughened and thick because of friction, pressure, or irritation. They often happen on the feet, but they can occur on the hands, elbows, or knees. They are also yellowish or pale in color. Calluses and corns are not normally harmful, but sometimes they may lead to infections or ulcerations of the skin, especially among people with diabetes and those with poor circulation in the feet.
Are Some People More Prone to Calluses?
Anything that causes pressure or friction on the skin are linked to a higher incidence of calluses. This also includes:
🦶🏻Shoes that are too tight or too high-heeled and are causing pressure
🦶🏻Shoes that are too loose and causing friction
🦶🏻A seam in a shoe that rubs the skin
🦶🏻Socks that do not fit well or not wearing socks
🦶🏻Walking barefoot regularly, as the skin will thicken to protect itself
🦶🏻A wrong gait when jogging or walking in a particular way
Bunions, hammertoe, and other foot problems and deformities increase the risk of corns and calluses. A bunion is an abnormal, bony bump that develops on the joint at the base of the big toe. A hammertoe is when a toe becomes curled up like a claw.
When Do You Need Medical Attention? Painful calluses, callus on pinky toe, callus between toes, callus on side of foot or callus under foot or extreme black callus may need medical attention. If a callus on ball of foot becomes very inflamed or painful, you may need medical advice.
Our Culver City podiatrist Dr. Leonard Knudson of Associated Foot Care Clinic may suggest changing your shoes and/or adding padding to your shoes. Larger corns and calluses are most effectively reduced with a surgical blade. As board certified podiatric surgeon, using the blade carefully will help shave away the thickened, dead skin—right in the office.
A thick callus removal is necessary if nonsurgical treatment methods don’t relieve your pain. Usually after your consultation and individual circumstances, the patient will ultimately have to decide if callus surgery is the best option for you. Your decision factors include your own tolerance for extreme callus pain, which restricts or prohibits you from completing everyday routines or activities.
CULVER CITY FOOT DOCTOR SINCE 1982 HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HOSPITAL CULVER CITY
Our services and treatments includes; Arch Disorders, Arch and Heel Pain, Ankle Pain, Ankle Therapy, Arthritis, Bunions, Calluses, Custom Orthotics, Diabetic Foot Treatments, Feet Pain, Foot Injury, Hammertoes, Heel Pain, Ingrown Toenails and more. View Full Service by clicking here.
The Associated Foot Care Clinic of Dr. Leonard J Knudson is located at 9808 Venice Blvd. Suite 600 in Culver City, California 90232. We are open from Mondays to Fridays, 9:00am to 5:00pm and we are closed during the weekends.
Dr. J. Leonard Knudson is a Foot and Ankle Surgeon located in Culver City and near West Los Angeles. We also tend to patients from nearby - UCLA, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice, Santa Monica and the West Los Angeles area.
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310-876-1579
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Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm