Calluses are firm elevations of the skin caused by pressure and friction. Due to increased stress, calluses are especially common on the feet, often triggered by squeezing, ill-fitting shoes.
What are calluses?
Calluses are firm areas of the skin that have become relatively thick in relation to the surrounding areas. Calluses are firm areas of the skin that have become relatively thick in relation to the surrounding areas, usually caused, by friction, pressure or other irritation. Short, intense rubbing usually causes blistering of the skin. But steady pressure over a long period of time causes calluses. Due to frequent walking in tight, squeezing shoes, calluses occur mainly on the feet. In the vast majority of cases, calluses are not dangerous, but annoying and more of a cosmetic problem. However, the dry skin areas can crack and thus be susceptible to bacteria entering, consequently infections.
Causes
Calluses are basically a natural defensive reaction of the body. With increased use and stress on individual areas of the skin, they develop a thicker layer to counteract the strain. Some calluses on the feet are caused by improper foot positioning, which increases pressure on certain areas over time. In most cases, however, the cause is an ill-fitting shoe. Women’s shoes with high heels in particular cause calluses. They shift the pressure forward onto the toes. This makes women four times more susceptible to foot problems than men. Another cause of calluses is wearing shoes without socks. The foot has poorer support and the risk for friction increases. Rapidly growing skin elevations are often mistaken for calluses. Especially in children, warts can form just as quickly or splinters can become infected in the skin. These problems require special treatment.
Diseases with this symptom
- Corn
- Hallux rigidus
- Hallux valgus
Diagnosis and course
In most cases, calluses are not difficult to detect. Pressure and discomfort will notice the affected person himself and thus the thickening of the skin in the affected areas themselves can associate with it. Apart from the visible and noticeable elevation of the skin, calluses can be recognized by their hardness. The skin is clearly firmer there. Also, differences in skin color usually exist. Thus, calluses can be both slightly lighter or darker than the rest of the skin. It is also more susceptible to dryness, may peel off more quickly or develop cracks. When walking or running, the affected areas often experience pain from increased pressure. A doctor should be consulted if the callus cracks and bleeds or secretes any other fluid.
Complications
Complications associated with calluses are relatively rare, as calluses are a harmless and common symptom. Because calluses are caused by pressure or excessive stress, they result in a thickening of the top layer of skin. In rare cases, they can cause inflammation. This happens when the top layer of skin bursts open and the wound becomes contaminated. In such a case, bacteria settle in the open wound and an inflammation occurs. In very special cases, pus can also form. In such a clinical picture, a visit to the doctor is essential. However, with appropriate medication, such an inflammation can be very quickly brought under control. Another complication that can occur is a fungal infection. This leads to a very unpleasant odor, as well as severe pain at rest. In such a case, the open callus must also be treated with appropriate medication. Otherwise, further complications may occur, such as blood poisoning. Further inflammation of the fungal infection is also possible if the affected areas are not clean and kept clean.
When should you go to the doctor?
At first glance, a callus is not a worrisome medical condition that necessarily needs to be treated or examined by a doctor. A callus is caused by excessive stress on an area of the skin. This usually disappears on its own after a certain time. Under certain circumstances, however, complications may arise that must be treated by a doctor.Anyone who basically suffers from dry and brittle skin is susceptible to the development of a chapped skin. A callus is a deep tear in the skin that cannot grow back together on its own. If a callus continues to be stressed, it may develop into a fissure. Due to the dry skin, the deep skin crack does not grow back together on its own. A visit to the doctor is inevitable in such a case. Anyone who forgoes a visit to the doctor in such a case is taking a great risk. A deep tear in the skin offers bacteria the best conditions to multiply. Thus, there is a risk of severe inflammation, which in the worst case can even cause blood poisoning. If you want to avoid such complications at an early stage, you should not put off a visit to the doctor. By appropriate creams or ointments calluses can be treated namely quickly and effectively.
Treatment and therapy
Most calluses recede slowly as soon as the pressure on the affected areas is reduced. The doctor may remove an upper layer of the callus to reduce the thickness and thus the pressure. Pressure-reducing patches or solutions exist that slowly remove the thick layers of skin. But these are not suitable for everyone affected. Very dry calluses can be treated with moisturizing creams to make them easier to remove and avoid the risk of cracking. In this case, the affected area should be well oiled and then protected with a plastic bag or sock for an hour. However, such treatments should be discussed with the dermatologist. With special brushes or stones, the calluses can be rubbed off slowly and carefully. This is easier after showering or bathing. Treatment with moisturizers can also quickly lead to mistakes. Especially the area between the toes is susceptible to moisture and thus to fungi and infections. Affected persons should take care to keep these areas sufficiently dry during treatment. Calluses can also be surgically removed. If they are the cause of a deformity, orthopedic measures can provide relief.
Outlook and prognosis
Calluses are usually caused by excessive stress on the area in question. Therefore, an exact prognosis or an explicit course depends on the intensity of further stress. If a callus has already developed, it should heal completely on its own after a period of rest. Even without medical or drug treatment, a callus will heal within a week. However, if the respective area is subjected to further stress, a callus can develop into an open wound. The open wound can then become infected and, under certain circumstances, pus can form. If such a condition is not treated by a doctor within a very short time, there is a risk of blood poisoning. This can have serious consequences, which can even lead to death. With appropriate treatment, however, such an inflammation can be fought very well. Thus, a significant improvement should be noticeable after only a few days. Therefore, if a callus is not further stressed, a very harmless course of the disease can be expected. The affected area regenerates, so that a new layer of skin can develop.
Prevention
Well-fitting, comfortable footwear is the best prevention against calluses on the feet. However, anywhere on the body, calluses are caused by increased pressure. If this is avoided, unsightly and painful calluses will not develop.
What you can do yourself
Calluses can have very different causes and occur on different parts of the body. These factors determine what sufferers can do themselves about calluses. Calluses on the palms and fingertips usually stem from recurring physical stress. Anyone who regularly performs heavy work with their hands, such as craftsmen, should take certain precautions. Protective gloves not only protect against cuts and scratches, they also help prevent calluses. It is important that the gloves are made of a breathable material. Rubber gloves, on the other hand, usually promote the development of calluses. It is also important to care for the affected areas of skin.The hands should be cleaned regularly with a mild syndet and then rubbed with a nourishing, moisturizing ointment to prevent the formation of calluses. Existing calluses should first be carefully rubbed with a pumice stone to remove the callus, and then treated with a special ointment from the pharmacy. In naturopathy, calendula ointment is recommended. This procedure is also generally recommended for calluses on the feet. If they are very painful, padding with special plasters can provide relief. Calluses on the feet are also very often caused by the wrong footwear. Tight, pointed or high shoes should generally not be worn or only very rarely.