Calluses between the toes are a fairly common problem. Moreover, women and men of any age, as well as children, can encounter it. Their appearance causes pain, discomfort and interferes with leading a normal, fulfilling life. Therefore, it is very important to know the reasons why interdigital callus may appear on the feet, as well as how to treat it. To avoid encountering such a pathology, you should take some precautions.
Calluses appear between the toes very quickly. In hot summer weather, literally after several hours of walking barefoot or in uncomfortable sandals, you can feel discomfort, most often in the space between the 4th and 5th toes. In this case, the appearance of watery blisters in the interdigital folds is observed. Further irritation of the damaged area leads to its transformation into a dry callus, which without treatment can turn into a core callus.
Calluses between the toes occur for almost the same reasons as in other places on the foot. Most often it appears:
Since the skin in the areas between the toes is too vulnerable, the formation of calluses in these areas causes discomfort and pain, which causes difficulty in walking. Pathogenic bacteria can easily penetrate microcracks that appear on the surface of calluses. In combination with excessive humidity, good conditions are created for the development of the inflammatory process. Doctors recommend getting rid of even those calluses that do not cause any particular inconvenience.
Depending on the speed of the process of callus formation, there are two types of calluses: soft and dry. Popularly, soft calluses are called dropsy. Their distinctive feature is their very rapid appearance as a result of skin friction. Their appearance resembles a bubble, inside of which there is a clear tissue liquid, in some cases mixed with blood. They are very painful, but generally do not require treatment - they heal on their own within a few days. It is advisable to apply a patch with a sterile pad to such a callus on the foot. A burst bubble should be treated with an antiseptic.
Dry calluses between the fingers take longer to form. It is the result of constant rubbing or squeezing of the skin. The epidermis thickens. In accordance with this, flat and disc-shaped calluses are distinguished. If they are flat, there are no unpleasant sensations, and removing them is quite simple.
The big problem is a callus between the toes with a shaft. They themselves are very painful, and getting rid of them on your own is not easy, since they are located very inconveniently. In addition, when removing the rod, the thin skin around them can be damaged. Most often they form between the fourth finger and the little finger. This is explained by the fact that the little toe is most often damaged by uncomfortable shoes, since it is the most mobile.
At the first manifestations of discomfort resulting from the formation of a callus between the toes, treatment should be started immediately so as not to worsen the situation. First you need to get rid of the cause that led to the painful formation, which, most likely, is tight shoes. If your life situation does not allow you to do this immediately, then to reduce skin irritation you should apply a napkin or a clean piece of cloth to the affected area.
Next, the soft callus between the toes is treated by cleansing its surface with warm water and gluing a special callus or bactericidal adhesive plaster to the affected area of the skin. Opening the blister is not recommended because there is a risk of infection. Over time, it will dry out on its own, and only in special situations, such as suppuration, should the bubble be removed. However, this must be done by a qualified doctor in a clinic.
If the blister bursts and a wound forms in its place, it must be treated with an antiseptic or a remedy for wet calluses. You can also purchase special ointments at the pharmacy that will have a comprehensive effect on the diseased area, since they contain antibacterial substances that enhance skin regeneration. If the lump increases in size, turns red and begins to manifest as throbbing or sharp pain, this means that an inflammatory process has begun. It is not recommended to treat it yourself - doctors at the clinic will help solve the problem quickly and painlessly.
A dry callus between the toes is a hard keratinized skin. To prevent it from penetrating deep into the skin, when it is detected, treatment must be started immediately. Under no circumstances should you get rid of a callus by cutting it off yourself mechanically, since the skin in these places is too delicate and there is a possibility of infection.
Dry callus can be removed comprehensively using special baths and keratolytic preparations containing salicylic acid, which can be purchased at the pharmacy. Treating dry calluses between the toes with baths is the simplest and most effective way. It works like this:
It is worth noting that all anti-callus agents act on the principle of softening the keratinized areas, which makes it easy to get rid of them in the future. Therefore, patches and ointments should be left on areas with calluses for 1-2 days.
Those who did not pay attention to dry calluses immediately after they appeared, subsequently very often wonder how to cure a callus between the toes with a core. After all, this type is an advanced form of dry callus, inside of which a “root” has formed that goes deep into the skin. This is a very unpleasant formation, since it is characterized by severe pain, as with the appearance of a spur, especially if the rod has penetrated to the level where the nerve endings are located.
How to remove this type of callus and can it be done at home? The callus between the toes can be removed independently, but only if it is not too deep. However, a positive result cannot always be achieved. The best option for deciding what to do in such cases is to turn to professionals. They know better how to remove a callus between your toes. For this purpose, the medical institution uses:
People prone to the appearance of interdigital formations should immediately take measures to eliminate them immediately after their appearance. After all, in the early stages you can get rid of the callus yourself. But solving the problem of advanced cases will require much more time, effort and money.
There are many ways to get rid of calluses between your toes, using the advice of traditional medicine. For the most part, they help in the treatment of dry calluses. After all, to remove soft ones, calluses, antibacterial adhesive plaster and some kind of antiseptic are used.
Treatment with folk remedies involves the use of:
It is very important to help the treated area of skin recover after getting rid of the callus. To do this, you can use nourishing masks or vegetable oil. If the area where the removed callus was located begins to bleed and swell, it is imperative to treat it with a healing antibacterial agent. Despite the fact that there are a huge number of medications and folk remedies for treating painful interdigital formations, it is best to try to prevent their occurrence.
A callus between your toes is almost invisible, but even it can cause extreme pain. This type of callus causes a lot of inconvenience, just like a callus on the heel. But where do interdigital calluses come from?
The main reason for the appearance of such calluses is wearing poorly chosen shoes. Other reasons may be:
For these reasons, the skin is constantly irritated. A callus is a skin reaction that physically manifests itself as a blister or hard, keratinized area. Since the skin between the toes is delicate and thin, calluses form there very often, but pain cannot always be felt.
Interdigital calluses according to their characteristics are divided into three classifications:
callus between toes
A watery interdigital callus is a white blister of interstitial fluid that can peel off or burst, which can later lead to infection.
Dry calluses are usually formed by systematic friction or pressure between the fingers. Such a callus can be cured by ordinary pharmaceutical products: creams, ointments, gels, adhesive plaster. The favorite places for such calluses are the fingers and the pads under them. This interdigital callus does not hurt much, but if it is not noticed in time, it can interfere with blood circulation in the foot and affect gait, which will then lead to changes in the joints and spine.
Treatment of such a callus is possible with an adhesive plaster based on salicylic acid. Before applying the patch, you need to wash, degrease and dry your feet.
Creams and gels will also be effective for this type of interdigital callus and will help get rid of it quickly enough. The main thing is to steam your feet before applying the cream, apply the product, and then secure it with a band-aid.
A callus is similar to a rough skin formation with a hole in the center, which is covered by a point. The point is the head of the hard part of the callus, whose continuation goes deep into the callus.
Due to constant compression or contact of the fourth and fifth fingers (most often), the third and fourth (less often), such a callus occurs. The pain from such a callus is so severe that it is almost impossible to walk. Naturally, such a callus must be removed without fail, because it can lead to serious consequences.
First you will need a bath filled with warm water and a pumice stone. It is necessary to prepare a patch and salicylic acid in advance. You will also need soft separating pads for the fingers (separators for pedicures).
Before describing the treatment, we warn you that self-treatment is dangerous, it is better to consult a specialist. Only if you are not sure that the interdigital callus does not have a virus. In addition, inept removal of the callus root can worsen the situation and even lead to complications.
So, if you decide to treat the callus yourself, we recommend the following actions:
It is known that folk remedies help cure calluses, such remedies include hot baths, but natural compresses are considered more effective:
If interdigital calluses appear, treatment will be difficult, so try to prevent their occurrence rather than waste time on treatment
The main reason for the appearance of calluses is the wrong choice of shoes (size, material, shape). Incorrectly chosen shoes are not always the cause of calluses and corns; they may be signs of problems in the body or a lack of vitamins and microelements. And in more rare cases - a signal of problems in the functioning of internal organs.
What to do to cure a callus? First you need to find the cause of the growth, and only then eliminate the consequences. If the callus is wet, in the form of a blister, under no circumstances should you pierce it yourself; you must wash the area where the growth appears, disinfect it, and apply a bandage or plaster.
To remove calluses between the toes, treatment must be carried out comprehensively, not only eliminating keratinized tissue, but also conducting effective immunotherapy, which will help strengthen the body's defenses.
If the interdigital callus festers, you should immediately seek medical help. If there is a dry callus between the toes, you can use special baths with regular soda and ammonia.
After softening, you need to clean the skin with pumice. An effective method is an oil compress, which is applied to the affected area - castor and sunflower oil are used for this.
Attention: if the wet callus has increased in size and turned red, then there are signs of an inflammatory process, in which case a consultation with your doctor is required.
It is very important to regularly lubricate the skin with an emollient cream. If calluses on your feet bother you, you should apply baby powder to your skin during the day, and don’t forget to lubricate it with nourishing cream or oil at night.
To remove calluses between the toes, therapeutic therapy must be carried out comprehensively, using patches and medicinal ointments that will help soften the skin and clean the damaged area of the feet.
It is best to steam dry calluses in a bath with the addition of medicinal herbs, chamomile, thyme, calendula, coltsfoot, before applying the patch.
The patch is made in such a way that its nourishing inner layer promotes the exfoliation of dead particles; this procedure is completely painless and safe. In order for the dry callus between the toes to disappear quickly, treatment must be carried out in a timely manner, avoid wearing high-heeled shoes, and use cotton socks or stockings.
You can consolidate the result of treatment for dry callus between the toes by using ointments, applying them to the callus for several hours, and after the procedure, the remaining growth is removed with a pumice stone or brush.
It is not recommended to use a mechanical method to remove dry calluses using blades or scissors, so as not to damage the skin and cause infection.
If there is a callus, it can be difficult to get rid of it with a patch or ointment; in this case, you should consult a specialist and not self-medicate.
Products based on salicylic acid have proven themselves to be excellent; with this component you can easily remove dead skin. Known drugs:
Growing calluses between the toes can only be treated under qualified medical care, because the roots of such formations can grow to a considerable depth, damaging blood vessels and nerve endings.
It is necessary to remove a callus with a rod under aseptic conditions, with a sterile instrument, using special equipment, by professionally trained specialists, in order to avoid further damage to the skin and infection of the wound.
The specialist removes the upper keratinized tissue, and then pulls out the root; after a while, young skin appears in place of the interdigital callus.
To speed up the process of skin regeneration, you need to use special creams and balms, and use traditional medicine methods (lotions, baths, compresses).
Professional methods of removing growths include:
How to get rid of calluses between your toes using folk remedies? There are several proven folk ways to combat calluses. For this, bread, aloe leaves, prunes, and tomatoes are used. Any of these products must be crushed to a pulp and applied to the affected area, secure well with a bandage and leave overnight. You can also apply lemon or orange peel to the problem area.
To get rid of corns or warts on the feet, you can use the following tips:
Another way to heal a damaged foot is to apply natural compresses; for this purpose, use lemon juice, castor oil, crushed celandine, grated potatoes, aloe leaf, dandelion flower pulp, heated propolis and much more.
How to properly carry out such a procedure to get rid of calluses and corns? First you need to steam your feet, then apply a compress to the damaged area, apply a bandage on top, and put on warm socks for a more secure hold. After 6-8 hours, remove the bandage and scrape off the softened layer with pumice.
After this, lubricate the cured finger with a moisturizer, and if possible, repeat the procedure until the growth is completely eliminated. There is another highly effective method for removing large formations - burning with vinegar essence. This is a rather aggressive substance that requires extremely careful use.
Acetic acid must be carefully applied with a cotton swab only to the callus, and healthy tissues must be sealed with a band-aid to avoid skin burns.
If you feel a burning sensation or strong tingling, remove the bandage and thoroughly wash the foot with soap and water.
What remedy will help remove calluses between the third and fourth toes? As a result of the neglected process, the skin begins to change and deform, which will lead to a deterioration in the condition of the foot.
Traditional healers recommend lotions from Kalanchoe; to do this, you need to take a leaf, squeeze the juice out of it, blot a cotton pad and apply it to the sore spot. If you do the procedure regularly, you will notice the first results within a few days, and completely eliminate the growth in 1-2 weeks.
It is not recommended to get rid of such calluses on your own; you need to make an appointment with a specialized doctor in a timely manner and solve the problem of eliminating the tumor. It is best to adhere to preventive measures so as not to treat such unpleasant skin diseases later.
When wearing tight shoes, a callus between the toes can appear as a result of squeezing the foot, or due to excessive friction of the shoe with the surface of the feet. Particular attention should be paid to the material of the shoes.
You should not save money and purchase shoes made from low-quality raw materials; this applies not only to the period of use of the shoes, but also to the impact on health. Shoes should allow the leather to “breathe.” Therefore, it is necessary to choose it from natural materials, for example, leather.
You should also make it a rule to try on shoes in the evening, when your feet swell a little and increase in size. The last should be comfortable, the toes and heel should not hang down. You definitely need to walk around the store in new shoes and feel them. High heels can cause calluses on the forefoot.
In order to prevent the appearance of calluses, you need to prepare new shoes for wear in advance. Here are some simple ways:
It is important to regularly care for the skin of your feet, use softening creams, treasures, lotions, do evening baths, massage your fingers and much more. After water procedures, wipe the interdigital area dry, regularly perform a pedicure procedure (remove the keratinized area, clean the heels of all kinds of hardening).
If the cause of calluses is excess weight, then you should start adjusting your figure parameters, reconsider your diet, devote time to sports activities, and be sure to take baths before bed to relieve fatigue from your legs.
If a callus has already formed, you need to immediately apply a medicated patch, change your shoes and make an appointment with an orthopedist in order to find out the reason for the development of growths.
The damaged area must be further protected from repeated rubbing. Taking good care of your feet will preserve not only their beauty, but also their health.
A callus between the toes is an area of hyperkeratosis of the skin . The main reasons for its development, as well as hardware and conservative methods of treating calluses between the fingers are described.
An area of increased keratinization of the skin, which appears in areas of regular excessive mechanical pressure.
Pathophysiological mechanisms of development:
Early death of epithelial cells.
Accumulation of watery or purulent exudate.
Proliferation of cartilage tissue.
Factors that lead to the development of calluses between the toes:
wearing uncomfortable shoes (too small, high heels);
chronic fungal skin infection;
excessive physical stress on the feet (when playing sports);
damage to the skin of the fingers by a foreign body;
problems with ingrown nail plates;
insufficient care of the skin of the feet;
regular foot contamination;
traumatic injury to the leg;
infection with papilloma virus.
Preference is given to hardware treatment methods in dermatological clinics. In this case, the patient undergoes a consultation with a doctor, who verifies the formation between the fingers and chooses the appropriate treatment tactics.
Contraindications to hardware removal of calluses on the foot:
uncompensated diabetes mellitus;
severe atherosclerosis of the arteries of the lower extremities with trophic changes in the skin;
suspicion of malignancy of the neoplasm;
taking oral anticoagulants;
congenital or acquired bleeding disorders;
severe immunosuppression (after chemotherapy, while taking cytostatics, in infectious pathologies);
increased sensitivity of the skin to light (photosensitization).
Laser is an effective radical method for treating calluses between the fingers. With its help, you can burn out a formation in a difficult-to-reach location in a few minutes. The device produces a powerful light beam, which is directed by the doctor to the affected tissues and completely destroys them. In this case, exudate evaporates from the core of the callus on the feet.
Advantages of the laser method:
no pain during the procedure;
the ability to completely remove the callus in 1-2 sessions;
there is no need for special pre-procedural preparation;
coagulation of blood vessels occurs, which is why there are no hemorrhages;
due to the high temperature of the beam, most pathogenic microorganisms are destroyed;
after the procedure, a small crust is formed at the site of the callus, which protects the wound from infection;
low incidence of scarring;
the procedure is performed on an outpatient basis.
In dermatological clinics, a carbon dioxide laser unit is used, which is characterized by a high power of the light beam, which makes it possible to remove deep core calluses. There is an erbium laser type, the intensity of which is 4 times lower. Its advantage is less trauma to healthy tissue and more precise control of the depth of beam penetration.
Laser removal procedure:
Examination by a dermatologist in a manipulation room.
Hygienic cleaning of feet (if necessary).
The area between the fingers is treated with a special antiseptic solution for a minute and wiped with a disposable dry towel.
Using a laser, the doctor carefully burns out and removes the altered tissue layer by layer.
After treatment is completed, a dense crust forms at the bottom of the wound.
The callus site is again treated with an antiseptic and sealed with a band-aid.
The duration of the intervention does not exceed 15-20 minutes. Some patients require a repeat session. Half an hour after completion, the patient is sent home.
The main advantages of cryotherapy over other hardware methods are low cost and availability . Treatment is carried out using liquid nitrogen, the temperature of which is -195°C. Cryotherapy is the method of choice for large wet calluses. Advantages:
speed of the procedure;
during cryotherapy, the patient feels only a slight tingling in the area of the callus;
Recurrence of a callus in the same area is quite rare.
the presence of signs of an infectious process in the callus (discharge of purulent exudate, local hyperemia and increased local temperature);
severe atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities;
inflammatory processes of the skin;
inability to independently care for the wound;
risk of bacterial process joining;
social maladjustment of the patient;
presence of diabetes mellitus (even compensated).
After the interaction of liquid nitrogen with altered tissues, crystallization and destruction of protein molecules occurs. At the same time, the capillaries spasm, which leads to massive cell death. An area of wet necrosis forms at the site of the callus. After some time, exudate accumulates under the ball of dead tissue and a “bubble” is formed.
The disadvantage is a long period of skin rejection and regeneration, which threatens the addition of a secondary bacterial infection. Therefore, the wound requires careful care.
The duration of the cauterization session is 30 seconds. If necessary (large area or depth of callus), nitrogen is applied several more times.
The essence of the method is the mechanical removal of dry callus using special attachments and a device that works like a milling machine. Thanks to its high frequency (more than 10 thousand revolutions per minute), the device cuts off altered keratinized areas of the skin.
use of a disposable nozzle, which reduces the risk of infection during the procedure;
the ability to perform in the most inaccessible areas;
reflexogenic stimulation of the skin, which promotes rapid regeneration;
During the procedure, formations are completely removed;
can be performed for diabetes;
using creams rather than baths to soften the skin.
The disadvantage is the possibility of recurrence of the formation in the same location. The method is suitable for treating calluses with a core between the toes.
wet callus with blisters, watery or purulent exudate;
infectious pathologies (viral hepatitis, HIV);
uncompensated cardiac or renal pathology;
active inflammatory process (erysipelas, cellulitis, panaritium);
trophic changes in the skin;
multiple recurrences in one location;
risk of wound infection.
The entire removal procedure is divided into the following stages:
Feet are washed in a hygienic bath for no more than 3 minutes to remove dirt. Wipe dry.
An antiseptic solution is applied for 30 seconds, after which it is removed using a disposable dry towel.
Dry callus is treated with a special cream with a keratolytic effect for 5-10 minutes to soften the upper layers of the callus. Dry with a towel.
The doctor uses a milling device to carefully remove layers of hardened skin. The cartilaginous core of the callus is removed using tweezers.
After completion of the work, the intervention area is treated with an antiseptic solution.
Apply a non-greasy cream to the skin and seal the wound with a bandage.
The patient is sent home and advised to come for a follow-up appointment in two days.
Disadvantages of self-removal:
it takes a long time to remove the callus;
risk of wound infection;
lack of medical supervision;
use of inappropriate techniques;
often the callus recurs in the same place;
traumatization of unchanged tissues.
Characteristics of calluses to eliminate at home:
no signs of infection by bacterial, fungal or viral pathogens;
there are no signs of intensive growth, decay or necrosis (signs of a malignant neoplasm);
there are no trophic changes in the skin and active inflammatory processes;
for heart or kidney pathologies – no swelling in the legs;
the patient's blood glucose levels are within normal limits;
there are no symptoms of atherosclerosis of the arteries of the lower extremities (variable claudication).
Wash your feet thoroughly.
Prepare a soap-soda solution (add 25 g of grated laundry soap and 10 teaspoons of baking soda to 5 liters of water).
As an alternative, use a mustard or starch bath (suitable for sensitive skin).
Heat the solution to 40-45°C and steam your feet in it for 20-30 minutes. Wipe dry with a disposable towel.
Apply a keratolytic patch with salicylic acid and sulfur (Salipod) to the callus for 24 hours.
After a day, carefully remove the patch along with the keratinized areas of the skin.
If necessary, repeat the procedure.
After removing keratinized tissue, treat the wound with a non-greasy cream.
Periodically apply antiseptic solutions to the wound to prevent infection.
Remove using sharp objects (knife, scalpel, scissors)
Cauterize with fire or hot iron objects.
Use concentrated acids, potassium permanganate or undiluted soda to soften.
Apply ice or soak in cold water.
Rub or massage yourself.
Make compresses with alcohol or natural ointments with a high fat content.
Burn out using a technical laser.
re-development of a callus on an adjacent area of skin;
increased growth of callus with incomplete removal;
development of malignant neoplasms;
addition of secondary bacterial microflora and wound suppuration;
severe pain;
redness of the skin, swelling of the callus area;
bloody discharge from the wound;
hyperpigmentation or scarring;
long-term skin healing.
Regardless of the chosen callus removal technique, after the procedure you must follow the recommendations. This will avoid infection of the wound at the site of formation and recurrence of the disease.
Clean the callus area every day and treat it with an antiseptic. If there is discharge from the wound, remove it with sterile cotton wool.
If the patient has diabetes, follow a diet and monitor blood glucose levels. If this does not work, then he is referred to an endocrinologist for treatment correction.
Keep your feet and the area between your toes clean and wash them daily.
Avoid wearing uncomfortable shoes, which could cause calluses to develop.
Avoid hypothermia, overheating and excessive humidity in the wound area.
Limit sports and physical activity on your feet.
Treat fungal and viral infections of the skin of the feet.
Avoid visiting swimming pools, saunas and baths during the recovery period.
Carefully monitor the condition of the wound. If the regeneration of the skin is too slow, then contact the dermatologist who performed the removal.
It is important to early identify signs of inflammation at the site of the former callus (the appearance of purulent discharge, increased pain, redness of the skin, development of local swelling), in which case you should immediately seek medical help.
A balanced diet that contains sufficient amounts of nutrients, vitamins and microelements.
Calluses between the toes are a fairly common phenomenon that can make walking very difficult, and can also have dangerous complications if the callus is not removed in time. Calluses can bother everyone without exception, regardless of gender and age. Women who follow fashion and prefer beautiful high-heeled shoes often know everything about removing calluses at home. However, how to cure a callus is known not only to fashionistas, but also to those who need to spend many hours on their feet.
There are several types of calluses, among which there are wet and dry calluses, calluses with a core, and also corns. The most common type of callus is a wet callus, which in appearance resembles a bubble filled with liquid. These calluses cause the most severe discomfort and appear when the foot is compressed by small or hard shoes. Corns are distinguished by the fact that they have a dense consistency; they do not cause as much pain as liquid calluses; they usually occur when wearing high-heeled shoes for a long time.
The most common causes of calluses between the toes include:
The symptoms of any callus are similar: they are all accompanied by pain when compressed by shoes and walking. The pain decreases when the person removes shoes and assumes a sitting or lying position. In order to distinguish calluses from each other, it is necessary to pay attention to their density, the cause of their appearance, as well as the intensity of the pain. To get rid of pain, you need to know how to remove a callus between your toes.
Calluses between your toes can be treated in several ways, depending on the type of callus and severity. Many, based on their own experience, recommend treating calluses with folk remedies. Some, on the contrary, prefer exclusively drug treatment or a combination of these methods. There are calluses that do not respond to medications and traditional treatment (callus, common infected calluses); for them, specialized treatment from doctors is used.
Folk remedies for the treatment of calluses are quite different, and involve the use of compresses, lotions, and the preparation of special creams and ointments. The most famous are:
All of these methods are designed to soften the skin of the feet and are effective for dry calluses and corns.
Pharmaceutical products include plasters, ointments, and preparations for removing calluses. Antibacterial patches reduce pain when walking and “draw in” inflammation. With their help, you can treat all types of calluses, including wet ones. Ointments for calluses are used to soften the affected area and relieve inflammation; some of them also have an analgesic effect.
Calluses between the toes, the treatment of which cannot be treated with medications, are removed using specialized methods: laser, liquid nitrogen and using special devices. Removing calluses with a laser involves its action on the inner surface and removal of liquid from there. Treating a callus with liquid nitrogen freezes it, after which the dead tissue sloughs off on its own. In the most severe cases, if it is not possible to cure the callus using these methods, surgical treatment is resorted to.
In order to avoid the appearance of calluses, you need to wear comfortable shoes, alternate walking with rest, do foot baths and lubricate the skin of your feet with cream. In this way, you can prevent damage to the skin between your toes and avoid the unpleasant consequences of calluses.
To prevent damage to the skin between the toes and avoid the unpleasant consequences of calluses, it is necessary not only to treat them in a timely manner, but also to carry out basic preventive measures.
When purchasing new shoes, people often encounter the problem of calluses. Calluses come in different types: both in the form of an inflated bubble with liquid inside, and in the form of a hard and rough formation, for example, a corn. They can appear on the feet, on the toes or between them. A callus on the toe, like others, causes a lot of inconvenience, so they need to be removed as quickly as possible.
In general, a callus is a hardening of the skin that occurs after prolonged friction of the skin against a hard surface or pressure on it. Microbes can get into cracks in damaged skin, causing inflammation and suppuration. Therefore, calluses on the feet must be treated.
Treatment can be carried out both with the help of medications and using traditional medicine recipes. If none of the methods help to cope with the problem, you need to seek advice from a specialist.
Calluses on the feet are the result of constant friction of the skin with a hard surface. After prolonged exposure to the skin, its cells begin to die, and rough calluses appear. The most common cause of this disease is improperly selected shoes. This can be understood by some signs:
A few more reasons for this:
Getting rid of calluses and corns on your feet takes time and patience. First of all, you need to get rid of uncomfortable shoes that cause incorrect and uneven pressure on the foot. If you want to use truly correct shoes, then it is better to contact an orthopedist or special orthopedic salons, where you can analyze your feet using special equipment and order individual orthopedic shoes. However, it may not be cheap.
Many people make the big mistake of covering a callus on their foot with a regular adhesive plaster. It is much easier to cure a callus that has just appeared than an old one, so you should not neglect treatment by covering the problem with a band-aid. For calluses, you should purchase a special patch designed to cure the affected skin.
It is better not to pierce wet calluses on the feet due to the risk of infection and suppuration. It is better to apply a soft bandage or tape to the callus and try to reduce the increased friction and pressure on this painful area.
You should not try to cut off old calluses at home, as this can cause infection. To get rid of skin compaction, you need to use keratolytic gels or creams, which will soften and help remove corns over time.
There are many special patches that soften the skin well at the site of compaction. The patch should be changed once or twice a week. Feet should be washed thoroughly before using the patch. Plasters should be used with great care as they can easily loosen not only the hardened skin, but also the skin around the callus, which can lead to small cracks and wounds. An alternative to the patch are ointments containing salicylic acid (Salsyvase 2%). The ointment can be bought without a prescription at any pharmacy.
In Sweden, plasters from the Compeed series are very popular, in Russia the callus adhesive plaster Salipod. A combination product that has both an antifungal and loosening effect includes Mozoil.
If treatment of calluses on the feet does not bring any results, you need to consult a doctor or a beauty salon. This is especially necessary if the calluses on the feet are the result of a fungal disease or the callus is a core callus (with a hard core that goes deep). In such cases, removal using laser or cryotherapy is necessary.
How to get rid of calluses on your feet or remove corns? To get started you need:
If you find dry callus in diabetics, you need to act very carefully; it is better to consult a specialist before treatment.
The use of traditional medicine in the treatment of calluses on the feet can be as effective as the use of medications.
Softening baths will help soften rough skin. For preparation you need salt (sea), or ready-made pine concentrate (sea salt mixed with pine oil). For a liter of water you need 2 tablespoons of salt or concentrate, stir. You need to make such baths for 15 minutes, then carefully steam the formation using pumice.
A bath with the addition of potassium permanganate or a 2% boric acid solution is also a good remedy at the initial stage of treatment. After such a bath, you need to wipe your feet dry and sprinkle the sore spot with talcum powder, you can also use baby cream.
A bath with soda added is a good remedy for calluses on the feet. Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda in 2 liters of water at room temperature. Then lubricate your feet with cream, it is better to use a rich one.
A callus between the toes is a very unpleasant and painful phenomenon. You can cope with this problem by using propolis. Attach the natural product with a bandage to the problem area. It will help to quickly cure calluses on the toes, within 2 days. To speed up the process, you need to carefully remove the rough skin with a pumice stone every day.
Aloe is used to treat fresh calluses. Its leaves need to be washed well, the hard top layer should be removed (the pulp should remain). Steam your feet, then apply the pulp and bandage it with a bandage.
Lemon will help quickly remove calluses between your toes, and in other places. You need to start with a softening bath, then apply lemon to the affected skin and bandage it.
Mix lemon juice and onions in a blender, spread the mixture on gauze, apply to the formation and bandage. You need to do these compresses before bed for 3 days in a row. Then use a pumice stone to remove dead skin.
A callus on the little toe (or another toe) will help remove the vodka compress. To do this, smear the affected area with vodka, cover it with cellophane and bandage it, put on a warm sock (preferably wool) on top.
If the callus is watery (it has just appeared), you should not pierce it; the consequence may be infection, which will worsen the situation. Such a blister needs to be treated with brilliant green. If the bubble is pierced, it is necessary to treat it with hydrogen peroxide and seal it with an adhesive bandage to avoid infection.
It is mandatory to visit a dermatologist if the calluses cannot be removed, they begin to get wet, or a core callus is observed.
A good remedy is an ointment made from garlic and lard. Grind the ingredients and smear the calluses 4 times a day. You should wear cotton socks.
Green onion gruel helps quickly treat corns. Apply this paste to problem areas.
Apply the mashed potatoes to the foot overnight, wrap it in cellophane and a bandage. In the morning, use a pumice stone to carefully remove dead skin.
A very painful and difficult to remove callus between the toes can be removed with onion and vinegar. Cut the peeled onion in half and pour vinegar over it. The onions should be marinated in vinegar for a day, then you can begin to treat the callus. Separate 1 layer of onion, apply to the sore spot and secure with a bandage. You need to do such compresses every day before and after sleep. An even more effective way to get rid of it is onion peels soaked in vinegar. You just need to marinate it for 15 days.
Soak bread crumbs in vinegar and apply to fresh calluses after a softening bath. Wrap with cellophane and bandage on top.
You can trust the removal of calluses to vegetable oil. Soak the part of the sock that covers the affected area with oil, put it on your foot, pull the bag and another sock on top. In the morning, try to clean off the corns. If 1 session does not help, you need to repeat it several more times.
If a callus appears, but it does not cause pain, then it is not necessary to treat it. In general, this phenomenon suggests that it is time to change your shoes to more comfortable ones and use soft pads to avoid intense friction. You can do them yourself. A cut-out fragment (according to the size of the diseased area) of soft tissue should be applied to a non-painful callus and glued with a band-aid. This lining will protect already affected skin from friction. Felt covers are also available for sale; they can also be made of rubber or soft plastic.
All methods of treating calluses will be effective if you take care of foot hygiene and do not let the disease take its course.
It is easier to prevent a disease than to treat it later. To avoid this unpleasant phenomenon, you need to follow a few simple rules:
Such simple preventive methods will eliminate the appearance of this unpleasant, unsightly defect.