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When Should You Seek Treatment for Calluses?

You should seek treatment for calluses if they are inflamed and you feel the pain that affects your movement and daily routine. You can have calluses Bakersfield when the soles of your feet rub on something hard repeatedly, like your shoes. Calluses can appear on your heels or the balls of your feet.

What is a callus?

A callus is a thick and hardened part of your body that usually occurs on the balls and soles of your feet. Typically, they are not painful, but you can feel pain in extreme cases. Calluses can result from wrong footwear, not wearing socks, high physical activity, and foot deformity. If you walk or run for long periods of time, you run the risk of developing calluses.

Symptoms

The following are common symptoms of calluses

  • A thick rough area of skin
  • Flaky, dry, or scaly skin

When to seek treatment

Pain and discomfort should be the first signs to send you to a physician. If you leave your calluses untreated for too long, they can harden, split and bleed. The open wound can lead to infections complicating treatment and increasing the time for recovery.

If you have diabetes, it is vital to inspect your legs and feet for any changes regularly. Diabetes affects blood circulation and nerve activity. If you have affected nerves, it might be difficult to feel the pain associated with calluses.

Regular inspection can help you spot a callus and seek treatment immediately. If you don’t treat calluses immediately, especially if you have diabetes, you might need an amputation because diabetes slows down your body’s ability to heal.

Treatment options

Your specialist will create a treatment plan depending on the severity of your symptoms. If your calluses occur due to wrong footwear, your doctor might suggest wearing well-fitting shoes with soft padding. If you have a foot deformity like a hammertoe, contact your doctor for treatment. 

If you have diabetes, your treatment plan might include keeping your sugar levels healthy. With diabetes, you need prompt medical attention to avoid infections or limb amputations. After careful examination, your treatment will include the following:

  • Callus removing medication
  • Custom-made orthotics
  • Shoe wear changes to prevent rubbing
  • Trimming away excess skin
  • Padding to protect your feet

Preventative measures

Since one of the causes of calluses is ill-fitting shoes, especially tight ones, you can remedy that by buying shoes that fit well. The secret is buying shoes at the end of the day when your feet are tired and most likely swollen.

If you use orthotics, remember to try your new shoes while wearing them. You don’t want to buy a new shoe that cannot fit your orthotics. Remember to wear gloves to protect your hands or pad your tool handles if you use hand tools.

If you experience pain from having calluses, visit Diabetic Foot and Wound Center for treatment. The qualified team of specialists at the center can provide individualized treatment after a careful examination. Call or schedule your appointment online and enjoy smoother and pain-free feet.