Calluses

What is it?

Calluses on the bottom of the foot are about as common as any condition. Years ago, we used to judge a man’s working ability or performance by the condition of his hands. Calluses are thickened layers of skin which are nature’s response to excessive friction and pressure. Initially, a hot spot or blister may be present but if the pressure continues, a callus will often form. These lesions will usually form beneath weight bearing, bony segments of the foot. Characteristically this includes the metatarsal heads or ball of the foot, the heel, and the under surface of certain toes. Contrary to popular belief, calluses do not grow and spread by any living intention. However, they are capable of involving adjacent skin areas as a result of continued friction and pressure characteristic of certain areas of the foot.

Not all calluses cause discomfort. A callus may be small, medium, or large in area but thin and diffuse in thickness. These are normally non-painful and can be effectively addressed with paddings, insoles, and certain types of abrasive treatment procedures.

On the other hand, calluses may become deep and punctuate with circular type cores in their center. These are the cases that can lead to grief and a visit to a foot specialist. This painful type of callus may be due to an underlying problem in bone structure, a particular type of skin condition, or a response to a foreign body. Various treatment methods are available by the foot specialist that are geared towards re-establishing proper balance and weight distribution. As with many problems of the foot, a patient could try to accommodate these lesions with padding, try to control foot strike and function by an arch supportive device or correct the orthopedic condition that exists. These issues should be addressed as early as possible in order to minimize the necessary treatment involved.