Callouses

Problem

A callous is a build-up of dead skin. It has no nucleus or root, but can cause pain.

Identifying a callous by appearance and symptom:

• Area of evenly thickened skin that generally forms on the heel, on the side of the big toe or on the ball of the foot.
• Area can be bulbous, red and protruding or dry, yellow and flaky.

Cause

• Repeated friction and pressure, which is caused by incorrect weight distribution or wearing ill-fitting shoes and hosiery.
• Foot deals with the excessive, unequal pressure on a site by forming a callous on that spot.
• Can take months to develop.

Treatment

If the problem is slight, a callous file used regularly will prevent skin layers building up. In more troublesome cases, callouses can be treated with Carnation Callous Caps.