If you have calluses, you may not feel any pain. If, however, they are interfering with the way you walk or the shoes that are comfortable on your feet, it is time to see a podiatrist. At Hampton Roads Foot and Ankle Specialists, our experienced podiatrists Dr. Sara Bouraee, Dr. Jon Houseworth, Dr. Sun Byun, Dr. Daria Piotrowksi, and Dr. Shruti Vyas at our Williamsburg and Hampton, VA offices offer treatments for calluses and many other foot conditions.
What Is a Callus?
A callus is an area of thickened skin that forms on the bottom of the foot. When it forms on the toes or the top of the foot, it is called a corn. But, the actual composition of the skin is as important to what type of thickening it is as the location. Calluses are flat and spread wider and are not as deep as a corm.
What Causes Calluses?
Calluses are not contagious, you can't catch them from someone else or have them spread from one that you already have. They are most often caused by irritation when they rub against your shoes. They often happen to women on the ball of their feet from wearing high heels. People who have deformities of the foot are also more prone to calluses than others.
Callus Treatments
Treating calluses begins at home. If you have calluses, it is probably a good idea to think about what is causing the calluses. You may want to reconsider the shoes that you are wearing. If you get regular pedicures, your pedicurist will file off any minor calluses that you have on the bottom of your feet. But this is only for very minor ones that are not causing you any pain.
When a callus gets painful, you should make an appointment with your podiatrist. It is also important if you have poor circulation in your feet or have diabetes.
Your podiatrist will do an examination of your feet and may take X-rays. They will examine your shoes and watch you walk. They may suggest changing your shoes or adding gel pads to cushion your feet. Large calluses can be made smaller by shaving the thickened skin in the office. This is a painless procedure. If the callus is causing significant pain, a cortisone injection may be necessary or surgery if it doesn't respond to other types of treatment. With calluses, like many other conditions, the best form of treatment is prevention.
At Hampton Roads Foot and Ankle Specialists, our podiatrists Dr. Sara Bouraee, Dr. Jon Houseworth, Dr. Sun Byun, Dr. Daria Piotrowksi, and Dr. Shruti Vyas provide treatment for calluses at our Williamsburg and Hampton, VA offices. To set up an appointment, call our offices at (757) 220-3311 for Williamsburg, and (757) 224-7605 for Hampton.