The Best Alternatives to Get Rid of Annoying Foot Calluses
Foot calluses are a widespread problem. They present different stages or phases of growth and the location can vary in each person.
In all cases, the onset of its appearance is the same, it is a defense mechanism of the skin against the continued rubbing of the shoe, or by constant pressure at a certain point of the foot.
In principle, it is a podiatric problem without major medical consequences. However, if it is not treated correctly, with the passage of time, it can lead to the appearance of more or less intense pain that makes walking difficult. People with diabetes should pay special attention to their feet to prevent infections or major complications caused by calluses.
Calluses usually have a conical shape and appear mostly on the upper part of the toes. In addition, calluses refer to the more diffuse and broad presentation, especially on the sole of the foot.
Causes
As we mentioned before, among the causes of calluses on the feet are:
- Mechanism of protection against friction and repeated compression.
- In people suffering from bunions, it is common for them to develop calluses on top of them, due to the friction of the footwear.
- Abnormal anatomy of the toes and bony structures of the feet (hammer toe, bunions).
- Use of footwear that is too tight or that exerts too much friction on specific points of the foot.
- Biomechanical anomalies that produce gait disturbances, which cause an excessive increase in pressure in a specific area of the foot.
Read also: Calluses on Your Feet? Get Rid of Them with This 100% Natural Solution
Symptoms
The main symptoms of calluses on the feet include:
- Appearance of a skin surface harder than normal anywhere on the foot.
- Soft lumps of skin between the toes.
- Pain when walking, putting on shoes or difficulty doing activities due to occasional pain in some areas.
Risk factors
Any condition or activity that can result in increased friction and pressure can lead to the development of calluses on the feet.
That said, one could conclude that calluses can affect anyone. However, there are specific risk factors that are worth taking into account:
- Alterations of the anatomy of the foot
- Abnormal gait
- Bunions
- Improper support for activities that exert physical pressure on the feet
- Use of tools or objects that exert too much pressure rubbing in specific areas of the foot, for example, riding a bicycle or skating.
Natural remedies and other options to treat foot calluses
Pumice stone
Pumice stones or a file for calluses is one of the best known utensils and they are used to eliminate small calluses in the comfort of your home. At present, there are many more modern versions of the well-known pumice stone.
In any case, the correct mode of use is similar.
What do you need?
What should you do?
- First, we must soak our feet in hot water for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Subsequently, we glide the pumice stone with circular movements from side to side. From time to time, we soak our feet again in water, to get rid of the remnants of dead skin.
- We must continue the treatment until we notice that the surface of the skin is smooth.
Aspirin and lemon
Aspirin has been shown to have very positive effects in the treatment of foot fungi and that thick skin that is formed by constant pressure. It has a fat-soluble component known as beta-hydroxy acid, used by many companies in the manufacture of creams and exfoliating products.
Lemon is known for its antioxidant , cleansing and disinfecting properties. It is ideal to treat calluses and reduce them markedly with a constant treatment.
What do you need?
- 7 crushed aspirins
- The juice of 1 lemon
- 1 bandage
What should you do?
- First, we will put the 7 aspirin crushed in a small container, add the juice of 1 lemon and stir it until you get a paste.
- We apply it on the area that presents the calluses and bandage it.
- It is important to do this procedure before going to sleep. With continuity, the calluses will disappear.
See also: 5 Unusual Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar that You Will Want to Know
White vinegar
White vinegar is a product that we have at home or that we can easily acquire in the market. It is not strange that it is used to remove calluses, since it has long been used to relax the feet and fight fungi.
What do you need?
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar (30 ml)
What should you do?
- We will moisten a cotton ball with vinegar and rub it in a circular way in the area with calluses.
- It is necessary to leave it on for 2 hours, and repeat this procedure until the calluses disappear.
