Callus and Corn Removal Serving Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Leesburg, Warrenton, Reston, Gainesville, Falls Church, & Centreville, VA
The human body is incredibly adaptable, and corns and calluses are just one way your body defends you. While slightly different from each other, corns and calluses stem from the same root cause. They are both thick patches of skin that develop to protect you when the skin is subjected to excessive friction and pressure, but they can become problems themselves, particularly for diabetics or anyone with compromised circulation.
What are Calluses?
Calluses are hard, raised bumps on the skin that bring pain to those who develop them. They form from repeated friction or pressure and can result from improper footwear or skin irritation. If you don't identify the cause of your callus, they'll keep returning until you treat the problem. Calluses become so thick and dry that they split open and bleed if left untreated for too long, which can raise difficulties for diabetic patients or people with circulatory or neuromuscular disorders. If you notice calluses on the bottom of your feet or toes, don't attempt to remove them yourself.
Callus Removal: Explained
Calluses cause pain due to the constant friction and pressure on the sensitive area of skin. Dr. Cardinal may recommend a non-invasive procedure to remove the callus to prevent it from coming back. During a callus removal, we may use a sterilized surgical blade to slowly eliminate the layers of dead skin and scrub the area with a pumice stone to smoothen it out. If a callus has developed an infection, she may use a scalpel to remove the infected tissue and administer cortisone to reduce inflammation. Other common methods for severe callus removal include outpatient surgery. Regular appointments with our house call podiatrist are essential for ensuring proper foot healing and controlling future calluses.
Signs Your Corn or Callus is a Problem
Identifying a troublesome corn or callus is relatively simple if they are bothering you or inhibiting your life in any way at all, see your podiatrist!
In some cases, the callus or corn may become sensitive or start to crack. Consistent foot care can help keep calluses supple and prevent them from growing large enough to be a problem. There are many products available to make foot care easier, including foot soaks and pumice stones.
For those with severe or recurring problems, the occasional pedicure may be in order. Of course prevention is always the most effective form of treatment. If you are experiencing calluses, take care to protect your feet, wear supportive footwear that fits correctly, and adjust your posture so your weight is distributed evenly across the entire foot.