Calluses on your feet can be unsightly, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. If they grow too thick, they can become uncomfortable. Thick calluses can also crack and lead to complications in people with diabetes.
While they are a common issue for many people, understanding what causes them and how to address them properly can make a big difference in keeping feet healthy and feeling smooth.
Below, Aamir Mahmood, DPM, Joseph Wilson, DPM, FACFAS, and the Momentum Foot & Ankle Clinic explain why some people always seem to have calluses and what you can do to manage them.
Believe it or not, calluses have an important purpose. Calluses form as your body’s natural way of protecting the skin from repeated pressure or friction. When certain areas of your feet experience ongoing stress, your skin thickens to defend itself.
That being said, if your feet are always covered in calluses, it’s normal to wonder why. Calluses often form as a result of the following:
Shoes that are too tight or too loose can contribute to calluses. Shoes that are too tight can cause friction, while loose shoes make your foot slide and rub against your shoes.
If you’re on your feet for long hours, especially on hard surfaces, it increases the pressure on your feet and encourages callus formation.
If weight isn’t distributed evenly, you’re more likely to develop calluses. Our team may recommend orthotics to help alleviate this issue and distribute your weight evenly.
Walking barefoot or wearing thin-soled shoes exposes your feet to rough surfaces, which forces the skin to thicken as a defense mechanism.
Dry feet are more prone to callus buildup since the skin is less elastic and also can’t resist friction.
While calluses are usually harmless, they can become a problem if they cause pain, crack, or interfere with your ability to walk comfortably. Diabetics or people with poor circulation should be particularly cautious with calluses.
Diabetes can make you have thicker calluses, which can break down over time, and lead to ulcers. Ulcers are slow-healing wounds that can spiral into other complications like infections, gangrene, and even amputations.
Fortunately, you can take steps to prevent calluses and keep your feet soft and smooth.
If you have calluses, there are some at-home strategies you can try:
If calluses persist or become painful, visit us in Michigan City, Indiana, Chesterton, Indiana, or Lombard, Illinois. Don’t postpone podiatric treatment if you have concerns about your calluses or if you have a medical condition like diabetes.
Not all at-home remedies or products are safe. Don’t use at-home corn cutters or shavers. These devices can damage your feet and remove healthy skin from your feet.
Avoid products that promise to “melt” off calluses. These can burn your skin. They’re especially dangerous if you have neuropathy.
Most importantly, when in doubt, talk to us. If you’re unsure how to care for your feet, our team can recommend the right at-home strategies.
You’re not stuck managing calluses on your own. Our team can help:
Our team can remove calluses ( and corns) with surgical blades. This procedure can safely remove calluses without damaging any of your healthy skin, and because the skin on calluses is already dead, it doesn't hurt.
The American Podiatric Medical Association also recommends cortisone shots for any painful calluses.
Dr. Mahmood and Dr. Wilson can also recommend whether you need to wear gel pads and, if so, where to place them so you get the most benefit.
You may benefit from orthotics if your feet rub against your shoes, you have hot spots or other areas bothered by friction, or you keep getting calluses from uneven weight distribution. Orthotics are customized based on your unique foot anatomy so they support your feet where they need it most.
If you have diabetes, calluses aren’t the only foot concern. In addition to trimming thick calluses, our team can also inspect your feet for any other potential issues, recommend treatments for neuropathy, and tend to any wounds you may have.
To get help with pesky calluses, request an appointment or call the location of your choice.
