Calluses or calluses are thickened and hardened skin. Usually, Callused skin will feel dry and slightly yellowish white. Calluses often occur on the soles of the feet, toes, heels, palms, and fingers.
Calluses are generally harmless, but they can change the appearance of the skin. Calluses only need to be treated if the condition causes discomfort or interferes with appearance.
Causes of Calluses
Calluses are generally caused by excessive and repeated pressure or friction on one skin area. In fact, calluses are the body's natural reaction to strengthen tissues that are subjected to repeated pressure and friction. This reaction makes the skin tissue thicken or also known as hyperkeratosis.
Some activities that can provide excessive, repetitive pressure and friction, and increase the risk of calluses appearing are:
- Write or draw with a pencil, pen, or brush
- Playing a musical instrument, such as the guitar or violin
- Lifting heavy weights, such as weightlifting
- Using certain tools that cause pressure, such as a hoe
- Don't wear socks when wearing shoes
- Wearing uncomfortable shoes, such as high heels, narrow shoes, or too loose
Calluses risk factors
There are several things that can increase a person's risk of getting calluses, including:
- Not wearing gloves when using equipment or operating machinery
- Walking in an abnormal way or more often placing weight on certain parts of the foot, such as the heels
- Experience hammer toe or toes that curl like claws
- Suffer bunions or a lump at the base of the big toe
- Experience osteophytes on the fingers or soles of the feet
Calluses Symptoms
Calluses can occur on areas of the skin that are frequently rubbed or pressured. Calluses most commonly occur on the soles of the feet, especially the heels and the soles near the toes, knees, tops, sides, between toes, and palms and fingers.
Calluses are thickening of the skin, the size of which will depend on the area of the skin that is under pressure or friction. When experiencing calluses, a person will feel a change in the skin in the form of:
- Thickens, hardens, and feels rough
- Skin becomes dry and cracked
- There is pain if the calluses get thicker
When to go to the doctor
Check with your doctor if the calluses don't go away even after removing the pressure or friction, especially if the calluses are very painful, bleed, or have pus, or are interfering with your activities.
For people with diabetes or blood circulation disorders, check with a doctor if you have calluses and don't treat it yourself so that it doesn't cause injury. This is dangerous because even a small wound is at risk of causing infection in diabetics.
Calluses Diagnosis
To diagnose calluses, the doctor will ask about the patient's symptoms, medical history, and activity or work history. Next, the doctor will perform an examination of the skin to see what skin disorders are occurring. Calluses can be diagnosed through a skin examination performed by a doctor.
If calluses are suspected to be caused by abnormalities in the bones, the doctor will perform supporting examinations, such as X-rays to determine the condition of the bones.
Calluses Treatment
Calluses usually go away on their own if the pressure or friction is reduced or stopped. There are several simple ways that can be done to help overcome calluses, namely:
- Use a tape or bandage on areas that are subject to frequent pressure or friction.
- Use gloves when operating equipment that can apply pressure or friction to the skin.
- Wear comfortable shoes and socks so as not to add pressure to your feet.
- Soak the calluses in warm water for 10-15 minutes, so the thickened skin softens and peels off.
- Use moisturizer regularly to prevent dry skin.
- Use a pumice stone to help remove the thickened layer of skin, keep in mind this should not be done by diabetics.
If you have diabetes, blood vessel problems, or calluses that don't improve or get worse after self-medication, see your doctor immediately. Some of the methods of treatment that can be done by doctors include:
- Cutting or scraping excess skin due to calluses
- Application of ointments, gels, creams, or plasters containing salicylic acid
- Giving antibiotics if calluses are infected
- Use of special shoe soles (orthotics) if calluses occur due to foot deformity
- Surgery to correct the position or shape of the bone that causes repeated pressure and friction
Calluses Complications
Calluses rarely cause complications. However, in people with diabetes or blood vessel disorders, calluses that are not treated properly, causing wounds can increase the risk of developing skin infections.
Calluse Prevention
The following are some things you can do to reduce the risk of calluses:
- Wear comfortable shoes of the right size.
- Avoid wearing high heels or a narrow front.
- Buy shoes in the afternoon or evening, generally the size of the foot will be larger in the afternoon or evening.
- Use a cotton swab to separate the toes if they rub frequently.
- Wear gloves or protection when operating equipment that may cause repeated friction or pressure on the skin.