Calluses

Calluses are thickened areas of skin that are formed from repetitive friction or pressure.  They commonly appear as small areas of slightly whitened or yellowish colored skin.  Calluses are commonly formed as a protective layer on the skin for areas that are frequently in contact with other surfaces while walking, running, lifting, working, etc.   Most times they will develop on the hands or feet, especially in people who wear tight fitting shoes for long periods of time or engage in a lot of repetitive motions while at work.

                There are many things you can do to prevent the development of calluses on your hands and feet.  If you have a job where you work with your hands constantly, you can try wearing protective gloves throughout the day and then applying a moisturizer at night to help keep your hands soft and healthy.  If you are having problems with your feet, it is important to first make sure that you’re wearing well fitted shoes with enough padding.  If your shoes are worn out or rubbing against your foot in a certain area, you can purchase a mole skin padding insert to cut down on the pressure applied to your skin.  Pumice stones are also an option as they can be used to remove dead skin from corns or calluses.  Do not attempt to use a razor blade or a knife to cut away dead skin - this is dangerous and can lead to cuts and infections. 

                To treat an existing corn or callus, try using an over-the-counter lotion with ammonium lactate (Amlactin lotion) or another kind of moisturizer like Aveeno.  Products that contain ammonium are very good at softening skin and removing dead skin cells from an affected area.  If you have a particularly bothersome callus or corn, you can try applying a salicylic acid liquid or bandage formulation that will penetrate and break down the dead skin cells.  You may need to talk to your doctor in some cases if the over-the-counter products are not strong enough.  Your physician can then prescribe a more concentrated liquid or lotion for you to use.  Your pharmacist may also be able to compound a special product for you that may combine several of these ingredients to achieve the maximum benefit.  Talk to your doctor or pharmacist today about how you can successfully prevent or treat your calluses and see if a compounded medication may be right for you.