How to Avoid and Treat Calluses

The skin naturally protects itself from repeated pressure and friction by forming calluses. Preventing calluses is much easier than treating an infected ones.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Children's Sandals
• Comfortable Shoes
• Men's Sandals
• Shoe Supports
• Callus/corn Treatments
• Exfoliating Cleanser
• Foot Buffers
• Foot Lotions
• Pedicure Kits

1. Opt for low-heeled shoes; high heels tilt the foot and put most of your weight on the balls of your feet, creating large calluses.

2. Wear thick socks with extra cushioning in the heel, ball and toe area.

3. File away any developing calluses with an emery board or pumice stone following a bath or shower, when the water has soften your callus.

4. Use a softening agent like Ultramide 25 lotion to peel away thick calluses.

5. Apply lotions and moisturizers generously. Use lanolin, Vaseline or vitamin E oils on feet, hands, elbows, knees or anywhere a callus is likely to develop.

6. Choose shoes shaped like human feet. Narrow-toed shoes make feet more prone to calluses because the foot is held at a funny angle inside the shoe.

7. Buy high-quality exercise shoes with plenty of padding and room in the toe area. Don't try to save money by buying cheap shoes. Your feet will suffer.

8. Have hammertoes, bunions and bone spurs surgically repaired if they're causing chronic callus formation.

9. Wear knee pads if you spend a lot of time on your knees gardening, scrubbing or waxing the floor. Knee pads will prevent callus formation.

10. Don gloves to prevent calluses from forming on your hands when doing heavy work such as moving branches, raking bags full of leaves and hoeing.

Tips & Warnings

• Usually painless, calluses can become a health problem if they're allowed to grow so thick they crack and become infected.

• See a podiatrist or sports-oriented doctor for chronic calluses.

• Treat yourself to monthly pedicures to help keep calluses on your feet to a minimum, but know that pedicures and similar treatments treat only the symptoms, not the underlying cause.

• If a callus becomes painful, it may signify anemia, poor circulation, diabetes, a vitamin deficiency or a developing corn. Seek medical consultation soon.

• If you have any questions or concerns, contact a physician or other health care professional before engaging in any activity related to health and diet. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.