How to Avoid and Treat Calluses

By eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor

Rate: (18 Ratings)

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

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Step1
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.
Step2
Wear thick socks with extra cushioning in the heel, ball and toe area.
Step3
File away any developing calluses with an emery board or pumice stone following a bath or shower, when the water has soften your callus.
Step4
Use a softening agent like Ultramide 25 lotion to peel away thick calluses.
Step5
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.
Step6
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.
Step7
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.
Step8
Have hammertoes, bunions and bone spurs surgically repaired if they're causing chronic callus formation.
Step9
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.
Step10
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.

Comments

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on 5/13/2008 Very good article about preventing Calluses. I especially like the tips and warnings section. The comments are helpful too.
http://health-pictures.com/callus-picture.htm

be1inson said

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on 10/22/2007 I found the easiest way to remove calluses from my soles. I got some kik-n-its from kik-n-it.net. They stick to the bottom of your tub like decals. Right before I'm finished I rub my feet over them where my calluses are. The bath water softens them and while my feet and kik-n-its are wet, just swipe your feet over them. Thank you kik-n-it.net! Anna S. DeRidder, LA

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on 5/7/2007 I have tried almost everything. Not only did I have huge callouses, but my heels were rough, dry and cracked. I use a cream called Emushea. The website is kinda cheesy, but the product works fast. www.emushea.megamarketingmall.com

mtgrace said

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on 10/31/2006 The Microplane Foot File is the quickest and easiest way I know of to get rid of foot calluses instantly. Use it on dry feet to literally "zest" the skin off. (It feels surprisingly good.) Smooth on your favorite moisterizing lotion afterwards and you're done!

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 I bought the Youthful Essence beauty treatment for the face, advertised by Susan Lucci on TV. I saw one girl on the commercial say she used it on her feet to keep them smooth. It only takes a small amount and your feet will look and feel like they were 16 again!

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eHow Article:  How to Avoid and Treat Calluses

eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor

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