Calloused Feet
The Causes Of Calloused Feet
Most adults have calloused feet. They form on the bottom of our feet to protect and cushion them. They are simply dead cells that gather and form hardened skin and this is a natural occurrence. But sometimes due to over work or stress on certain points of the feet, calluses can grow larger. The thickened skin can turn a yellow color and cracks can also show up on the heels and around the foot. The calloused feet can also cause pain and this is called intractable plantar keratosis.
There are several reasons why extreme causes of calloused feet occur. Wearing shoes that are too tight or have a higher heel can have an affect of the foot. Abnormal walking due to obesity can cause severe calluses to form anywhere on the foot including the toes and having flat of highly arched feet can cause painful calluses. Or just walking around barefoot over rocks or ash fault can make feet rough and unappealing. Luckily, there are several ways to remove these calluses.
If you look at the bottom of your feet you can clearly see where the calluses are located. If they are worse by the arch area of your feet or the heel is more affected it may be the shoes you are wearing. Shoes should not only be comfortable but they should offer the proper arch support. Women are more inclined to suffer from severe calluses because of the high heels they wear. They will suffer through wearing painful shoes for style. Along with calluses they can also have back and legs problem if they continue to wear high heeled shoes.
It is recommended that when trying to remove calluses you must first soak your feet in sudsy warm water. This gives moisture to the skin on the feet and makes them softer. After the soaking process you can easily remove the calluses by using a pumice stone or metal filing callous remover.
Pumice stones can be used if the calloused feet are not that bad. They work by gently removing the excess skin and exposing the newer skin. But if you have a more severe case of calluses, you may need a metal filing callus remover. These types of removers resemble cheese graters and work the same way. They can be dangerous if the person removes too much skin and many people have been injured using them. They are only intended for people who have extreme callus problems and the skin should be removed in steps and not all at once. People with diabetes should never use metal callus removers.
In rare cases when there is no relief for callus pain surgery may be needed. There are two types of surgeries associated with calluses and both of them correct problems with walking and they way the foot is formed. By making a few simple incisions, problems with too much pressure on one area of the foot can be eliminated. After a few days of recovery the foot becomes better than before and the painful calluses should completely disappear. The patient may need to continue to soak and exfoliate the feet to maintain them.
Many doctors agree today that removing the calluses through surgery is only a short term way to correct the problem. Although people think that they need them removed, it is more important to find the underlining cause for the severe calluses. If you eliminate the cause the calluses will not return. But if you only remove the calluses themselves, the person affected will have to have the same surgery time after time. That is why it is so important to pin point the cause before you can choose the remedy.