A Plantar Callus
A plantar callus is a hard, thickened patch of skin on one or both feet. Plantar calluses, like other calluses, grow as a result of pressure or friction in order to protect the skin beneath from injury.
Calluses form in regions of friction, such as the hands or feet. A plantar callus develops on the bottom of the foot as a result of wearing shoes that are too small or otherwise ill-fitting.
We’ll look at what plantar calluses are, what causes them, and how to get rid of a deep callus on the bottom of your foot in this post.
Process Of Treating Calluses
When the friction stops, most calluses go away naturally. Some people feel they’re unpleasant and would rather have them removed than wait for them to disappear.
Callus treatment tips:
- Soak the region 5–10 minutes in warm water, or till the skin softens.
- Then thread a pumice in warm water and carefully exfoliate dead skin. Then gently file the callus. Movements circular or lateral work well.
- Please take care not to remove a little skin. Too much might bleed the callus and cause infection.
- A lotion or cream containing salicylic acid, ammonium lactate, or urea moisturizes daily to progressively soften hard calls.
- Try to paddle so that calluses don’t grow worse. Cut a portion of a callus paddle and place it around the callus in two forms for half a day.
Calluses can also be reduced or removed using bindings, pads, and others that contain salicylic acid.
It is vital to highlight that anybody with nervous or circulatory disorders in their feet should be careful to use goods, such as bandages, on their feet.
The items listed above are often available in both a local drugstore and online.
If a callus is large, painful, or interferes with daily activities, consult your doctor. To stop the callus from reforming, some hardened skin should be shaved and footwear should be replaced.
If a callus bleeds or breaks, it is critical to keep it clean and covered while it heals. The area works well with petroleum jelly, such as basic vaseline. This aids in the prevention and development of healing.
You can read here about how to get rid of calluses on foot permanently as calluses don’t have a regrow method.
Prevention
Wearing shoes that fit properly is the greatest method to avoid plantar calluses. Low-heeled, breathable shoes with plenty of room around the toes are an excellent choice.
Wearing socks can indeed help to minimize friction and the development of calluses. Although there are various ways to prevent deep calluses on your feet, you must check and clean your feet frequently.
Read: How to Avoid and Prevent Calluses
Symptoms
A plantar callus has gray or yellowish skin. In addition, the skin may feel firm, rough, dry, and dry. When direct pressure is applied to the region, it may be uncomfortable.
Plantar calluses can be thick and cover a considerable area of the heel or ball of the foot.
This occurs when a tiny quantity of blood collects between the thicker skin and the normal skin underneath it.
Causes
Calluses occur when a specific region is subjected to repeated pressure or friction. This is why calluses are so frequent on our feet, which bear the majority of our body weight. Calluses develop to protect the skin from this pressure.
Excessive pressure on the feet can be caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes with thin socks or no socks, for instance. High heels, which are frequently built for fashion rather than comfort or necessity, are sometimes the worst offenders.
Plantar calluses can also be caused by high amounts of exercise, particularly those that create pressure on the foot. Plantar calluses are more common among runners and sportsmen, as well as individuals who walk instead of driving.
There is scientific evidence to suggest it might increase the chance of getting foot calluses. This is considered to be linked to smoking-induced constriction of veins in the extremities. This can cause the subcutaneous tissue to deteriorate or atrophy. This may eventually result in greater contact between bone and skin, resulting in more calluses.
Bone abnormalities may also be to blame. A bone deformity can cause excessive pressure to be exerted to certain regions of the foot, particularly if a person’s gait is changed as a result of the defect.
Also Read: Causes of Calluses On Foot
When should I visit a doctor?
Plantar calluses, while painful, may not always need a doctor’s visit. Yet, in some situations, you should see your general practitioner or a podiatrist. These are some examples:
- If you suffer from diabetes, heart disease, or circulation issues. If you have one of these diseases, you are more likely to have an infection. This can be harmful if you have diabetes-related nerve damage. If you have one of these illnesses and notice any changes in your feet, make an appointment with your doctor immediately.
- Your callus is discharged with clear fluid or pus. This indicates that the callus is infectious or ulcerated and requires quick attention.
- If you have recurrent plantar calluses. Your podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon may be able to help you figure out why your calluses keep reappearing.
- If you discover that your callus is red, painful, or heated to the touch, consult your doctor. These symptoms may indicate an infection.
Takeaway
Plantar calluses are a very frequent condition in persons of all ages. If the callus isn’t interfering with your walking or causing signs of infection, it’s not a reason for worry.
Home remedies should help you control them in most situations.
If you’re getting plantar calluses in the same spot on a frequent basis, consult your doctor to find out how and why.
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have diabetes and develop a new plantar callus or observe changes in an existing one. Diabetes can cause nerve injury and loss of foot feeling. This means that an illness may go undetected until it becomes extremely harmful.