Calluses Be Gone

Yes, those wonderful calluses that make our feet look great when wearing sandals or high heels is the focus of this post!

Causes: Calluses are very thick, rough, and dry areas of skin. The skin forms calluses as a way of protecting itself from repetitious friction and pressure. Calluses can be caused by poor fitting shoes, not wearing socks with shoes, repeated pressure from hand tools, and improper walking motion. And ladies, high heel shoes can cause calluses from the pressure the shoe places on the heel.

Treatments: Well, not wearing high heels will eliminate getting calluses if this is the cause of the problem. If this is impossible then decrease the amount of time wearing high heels or wear shorter heels. Wear properly fitted shoes and socks as well. If the calluses form on the hands then wear gloves when using tools or lifting heavy objects. Wear gloves when gardening or performing repetitive movements that place pressure on the hands.

Using moisturizing products such as creams, lotions, and Vaseline on hand and feet will help to soften calluses. A frugile solution for me is to just rub Vaseline on my feet and wear socks for about fifteen minutes. It softens my feet a lot and makes them look nice. Some people wear the socks overnight.

Salicylic Acid is a common ingredient that is used in creams that treat calluses so take notice if your product contains this acid and how well it works. Also, calluses can be scrubbed away with pumice stones or even with sand paper. Try applying exfoliating ingredients such as honeysuckle liquid extract to calluses located on the feet before scrubbing with a pumice stone or sand paper. Don't try to rub all of the dead skin away the first time as this will cause irritation. For extremely flaky, tough, white feet soak in warm water and Epsom salt multiple times a week and follow up with a moisturizing agent.

If the white flaky skin remains it could be a fungal infection called tinea pedis (athlete's foot). Over the counter fungal cream may help with tinea pedis, if not seek help from a doctor. The previously mentioned changes in footwear should be consistent and topical applications should be applied on a regular basis.

FYI 1: Calluses can be a serious issue for diabetics and a doctor should be consulted for individuals with diabetes. This post is not intended to recommend callous treatment for those with diabetes or any other medical condition. Below is a list of exfoliants.

FYI 2: As stated above Salicylic Acid can be found in skin care treatment products and other products as well. However, Salicylic Acid can be purchased as a single product for those that would like to purchase only that type of acid.

Exfoliants:

Brown Sugar

Coffee Beans

Epsom Salt

Oatmeal

Sea Salt

Liquid and Non-Liquid Exfoliating Extracts: These liquids can be found in the forms of liquids, powders, seeds, or coarse extracts.

Bilberry

Honeysuckle

Jasmine

Orange Peel

Strawberry