What is it?

When we walk or stand, our body weight is carried first on the heel and then on the ball of the foot, where the skin is thicker, to withstand the pressure. When this pressure becomes excessive, some areas of the skin thicken, in the form of corns and callus, as a protective response.

A callus, or callosity, is an extended area of thickened skin on the soles of the feet, and occurs on areas of pressure. It is the body’s reaction to pressure or friction, and can appear anywhere the skin rubs against a bone, a shoe, or the ground.

 

What causes it?

Most calluses are symptoms of an underlying problem like a bony deformity, a particular style of walking, or inappropriate footwear. Some people have a natural tendency to form callus because of their skin type. Elderly people have less fatty tissue in their skin and this can lead to callus forming on the ball of the foot.

 

What can I do?

You can control a small amount of hard skin by gently rubbing with a pumice stone. Use a moisturising cream daily. If this does not appear to be working, seek advice from a podiatrist.

If the callus is painful and feels as if you are “walking on stones”, consult a podiatrist who will be able to advise you why this has occurred and, where possible, how to prevent it happening again. Your podiatrist can also remove hard skin, relieve pain, and redistribute pressure with soft padding, strapping, or orthotics, which fit easily into your shoes. The skin should then return to its normal state.

The elderly can benefit from padding to the ball of the foot, to compensate for any loss of natural padding. Emollient creams delay callus building up, and help improve the skin’s natural elasticity. Your podiatrist will be able to advise you on the most appropriate skin preparations for your needs.

Source:
The Society Of Chiropodists And Podiatrists