Calluses are hyperkeratosis of the skin. This is a thickening of the surface layer of the skin, usually in response to pressure or friction. Calluses usually form on the ball of the foot, the heel, and the underside of the big toe.
Causes
- High heeled shoes
- Misalignment of the metatarsal bones
- Abnormalities of gait
- Flat feet and High arched feet
- Excessively long metatarsal bone
- Obesity
- Bony prominence
- Loss (atrophy) of fat pad on the underside of the foot
- Short Achilles tendon
What you can do
- Avoid high heeled shoes
- Buy shoes with a good arch and shock absorbing rubber sole
- Use an insole which absorbs shear forces inside the shoe
- Keep skin moist and supple with regular application of a moisturizer
- Use a pumice stone or other abrasive to reduce the thickness of the callus
- Apply non-medicated pads around the callus to relieve pressure
- Apply moleskin over areas that tend to callus
What the doctor may do
- Provide temporary relief by debriding (pare down) the callus and any deep seated core it may have.
- Apply various pads to relieve pressure
- Recommend appropriate shoes
- Prescribe orthotics (insoles) to correct functional problems and/or redistribute weight.
- Surgically realign metatarsals, or remove bony prominences
