Calloused Feet
Treating and Preventing Calloused Feet
Calloused feet is a condition that many people bear. It is probably one of the most common foot conditions, yet still many people are unaware as to what is causing their skin to become so rough and thick. This article is going to provide a few pointers that may help you to not only treat the calluses you may already have, but also to prevent them from returning.
Our feet are responsible for carrying our entire body weight around; therefore it should be no surprise that the skin on the bottom of our feet has become toughened and thick over time. If this skin is not maintained, it can build up into hard mounds in the areas that bear the most weight or the areas that constantly rub against shoes.
In fact, did you know that the most common cause behind calloused feet is from wearing shoes that do not fit properly? Shoes that are too small or too large can cause calluses by allowing certain areas of the foot to rub frequently against the interior of the shoe. A good way to prevent this is by taking a trip to a shoe store and asking an assistant to help you determine your correct shoe size. Discard any thoughts you may have about what YOU think your shoe size is and listen to what the assistant says. Once you have an accurate size to work with, try on a few shoes in that size. Find a good set of sneakers to try on and walk around the store once or twice. If they feel like a comfortable fit, then it’s probably safe to say that the assistant was correct about your size.
Regardless of where you got your calluses from, you still need to treat them, right? It might be time to crack open that foot spa you got two Christmases ago! If you don’t have a foot spa, a shallow bucket, bowl, or tub will suffice. Fill the bucket with warm water (the warmer the better!). If you have some plain Epsom salt, sprinkle a good handful of that in. If you don’t have Epsom salt on hand, use a cup of baking soda or vinegar. Pop your feet in and be prepared for a nice half-hour (minimum) soak. You might want to have a book handy or soak in front of the TV.
After your feet have soaked, you will need either a pumice stone or a callous remover, which looks similar to a small cheese grater. Simply smooth the stone or callous remover back and forth over the calloused skin on your feet. Go easy the first time around. Most of the callous will be removed in the first go, but you don’t want to grate too deep or you could cut into healthy, living skin. You might have to soak and smooth a stubborn callous several times before it is entirely removed.
To prevent calloused feet, make sure that your shoes fit comfortably. If your shoes fit properly but don’t have sufficient support, try getting sole inserts to relieve pressure from the areas that usually become calloused. You may also want to regularly indulge in soaking your feet with Epsom salt. This promotes circulation and ensures that the skin remains supple and soft. You may also want to follow your foot soak with a nice lotion to keep the skin moisturized.
We often neglect the importance of our feet. Developing a good foot care routine as mentioned above will save your feet a lot of grief! There are many creams, lotions, and even sprays designed to soften your skin and make it more resistant to calluses. Just bear in mind that your feet need care, too!