Shoes are most often to blame for the appearance of calluses on the feet. New shoes rub the skin, and the high heels of women's shoes, together with thin soles that do not provide adequate shock absorption, plus an uncomfortable last, guarantee an excessive load on the skin and compression of the toes. This is how calluses appear.
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What to do with hard calluses?
A hard callus is essentially a dry callus.
Naturally, you need to get rid of it.
Let's take a closer look at some official pharmaceutical products for the treatment of calluses.
Treated with Anticorn Super cream.
It is used to moisturize and gradually soften.
It contains many natural plant components with bactericidal and softening properties.
They are also treated with the oily liquid “Feresol” with a cauterizing effect due to the content of phenol and tricresol.
It also has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, bactericidal and softening effects.
They are also treated with a very effective remedy - Roacutane gel.
This gel has a keratolytic effect.
Due to the content of salicylic, lactic, boric, benzoic and citric acids in its composition.
And finally, a few words about the Salipoda patch.
This convenient patch has long proven its effectiveness.
It has a pronounced softening antimicrobial effect.
But before using these products, you must carefully re-read all contraindications and strictly adhere to them.
Is it possible to return shoes if they rub your feet?
The answer to this question depends on what caused the problem. You can return shoes to the store in the following cases:
- Wrong with the size . According to consumer protection legislation, the buyer has the right, within 14 days (not counting the day of purchase), to return a product that does not suit the size, fullness, style or other consumer properties. However, this is possible if a number of conditions are met. In particular, the product must show no signs of wear (learn more about the conditions for returning shoes).
- Manufacturing defects . MEGATOP has an extended warranty for shoes - 60 days. If any defects are found during this period, you can contact the store where you made the purchase and request an exchange or return. In case of controversial issues, the seller will send the goods for an independent quality assessment.
If a pair chafes the skin due to thin straps, seams or other rough parts, chances are they won't be able to return it. The discrepancy between the last and the individual characteristics of the foot is also not considered a manufacturing defect. Therefore, if the shoes are worn (for example, you walked down the street at least once), they cannot be returned to the store. Leg problems are also not grounds for a return.
Interdigital calluses
Sometimes calluses appear in the spaces between the toes on the feet, less often on the hands.
They cause a feeling of great discomfort.
People around them practically do not see them, but they are very painful.
Interdigital calluses are wet calluses.
The interdigital spaces (thumb and second finger, as well as the ring and little fingers) are favorite places for calluses to localize.
Interdigital calluses are common at any age, for both men and women.
Essentially, callus is an adaptive response of the epidermis to prolonged friction or compression.
In which layers of keratinized epidermis are actively built up at the site of mechanical action.
The causes of calluses between the toes are:
- uncomfortable and tight shoes;
- high heels;
- presence - flat feet;
- finger deformities;
- overweight;
- joint diseases (arthrosis, arthritis or gout);
- swelling of the legs.
Causes of callus appearance
A disease such as dry callus is widespread, most often in people whose profession involves wearing shoes for a long time in conditions of elevated temperature, leading to sweaty feet and humidity.
What other factors contribute to its appearance:
- Hyperhidrosis - increased sweating as a result of hypersecretion of sweat glands, in people with vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- Wearing tight rubber shoes and high-heeled shoes;
- Wearing hosiery made of synthetic fabrics;
- Orthopedic diseases associated with improper distribution of the load on the foot, flat feet;
- Deformation of joints due to polyarthritis, diabetes mellitus;
- Dermatological diseases associated with increased keratosis;
- Elderly age
Suppuration of calluses
If calluses are treated untimely and incorrectly, they can become inflamed and fester.
In fact, the appearance of purulent exudate also indicates that the immune system is working fully and is trying to cope with various infections that appear in the outbreak .
Pus threatens to enter the bloodstream, which can result in sepsis, blockage of blood vessels or embolism.
Chamomile baths and hydrogen peroxide are the first means to treat festering calluses, after which you need to consult a doctor or a medical facility.
To prevent the infection from spreading, it is necessary to treat the callus with gel or ointment with an antiseptic.
Then secure this product with a sterile bandage.
Treatment is carried out by applying the drug to the area of the leg affected by the pathological process.
Then it is all covered with a sterile bandage.
And this procedure should be done at least twice during the day, and preferably three.
Purulent forms must be washed with solutions of potassium permanganate, furatsilin or three percent hydrogen peroxide.
With advanced purulent calluses, seeking help from qualified specialists is simply a must.
To remove pus from a callus, it must be drained.
Based on individual characteristics and the degree of complexity of the purulent process, the specialist prescribes therapeutic measures.
Is it possible to break in new shoes in an hour?
Reference. No matter how many people would like to, it’s impossible to break in new shoes in an hour, two or even three. Breaking in shoes should be gradual. It can take from several days to several weeks (it all depends on the quality and model of the shoes).
To make the process a little easier, you can lubricate the areas where your shoes especially rub with vodka or alcohol, then put on your shoes and walk in them for 10–15 minutes. Repeat the procedure daily.
You can also purchase a special cream or foam for stretching shoes (most often they work on leather or leatherette). If certain areas of your boots rub, lubricate them with wax, castor oil or soap.
From the video below you can learn how to quickly break in new shoes:
Old calluses and calluses
Old calluses are dry formations that are not immediately removed.
If irritation on the surface of the skin is long-term and chronic, then the callus turns into a lump, which is very painful and annoying.
First you need to steam it and minimize the load on it, remove friction.
Wear only comfortable, “trodden on” shoes.
Most often, such “old” calluses and calluses-bumps form on the soles of the feet.
If you remove the cause of the callus rubbing, it may go away on its own.
Conversely, if the shoes continue to rub, then calluses will appear again and again.
Dry old calluses are removed using a laser beam.
In this case, local anesthesia is used.
There are certain criteria, when met, it is clear that the callus needs to be removed:
- pain when pressing on the callus (on the legs when walking, on the hands when working);
- if the callus is infected and inflamed;
- if the callus is core.
Calluses form on the skin as a result of a viral or fungal infection.
Or a foreign body is discovered in the thickness - a grain of sand or a splinter.
How to treat a hard growth so that it does not exist?
If the rubbing process was long and the growth became dense and dry, then be prepared for the treatment to be delayed. It is imperative to use special softening preparations that will help remove rough layers of skin.
Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is a standard ingredient that helps soften hard growths on the feet. It is included in many creams, ointments, gels and even patches (“Namozol”, “Kollomak”, etc.).
Before using products with salicylic acid, you should steam your feet and stick a patch with the middle cut out on the problem area (the hole should be the size of a callus). Only after this the drug can be applied to the growth. You can use acid 1-2 times a day.
Lactic acid
Important! Lactic acid is a less aggressive agent compared to salicylic acid.
Such preparations (“Green Pharmacy”, “Super Anticorn”, etc.) should be applied in a thick layer to the injury and covered with a bandage. After a couple of hours, you can remove the softened defect with a spatula, and rinse off the remaining product with water.
Treatment with celandine
A universal plant that is actively used in folk medicine. Excellent against corns and warts. You need to use a solution based on celandine twice a day, but the treatment course should not last longer than 10 days. Burn the damaged areas for 8–10 minutes, and then rinse off the product with warm water. You can also use pharmaceutical preparations based on celandine (“Call Ka”, “Stopmozol”).
Sodium hydroxide
Preparations based on sodium hydroxide are quite aggressive, and therefore they quickly corrode dead skin cells, removing calluses. Such drugs (“Antipapillom”, etc.) must be used extremely carefully so as not to harm healthy areas of the skin.
Phenol
Products containing phenol help to burn and mummify rough areas of the skin. Gradually the callus will dry out and fall off on its own.
Attention! The most commonly used drugs are “Verrukacid”, “Vartek” and others.
Refrigerants
Such drugs have only recently begun to gain popularity. They help get rid of growths in the shortest possible time. Using a special applicator, the product is applied to rough areas of the skin. A bubble with liquid forms at the site of damage. Healthy tissues remain safe and sound, but the bubble gradually dries out and falls off. This category of drugs includes “Wartner” and “Cryopharm”.
Which doctor should I contact for a callus?
The treatment and removal of calluses, in particular on the feet, is carried out by different doctors - dermatologists, cosmetologists, dermatocosmetologists and podologists.
But it is best to be treated by a podiatrist, because he is a specialized specialist on these issues.
Diseases of the cardiovascular system and diabetes mellitus threaten the appearance of purulent calluses.
Therefore, in this category of patients, it is especially important to properly and promptly treat emerging calluses and preventively remove the reasons why they appear.
Experienced podiatrists successfully combat purulent inflammation and lymph flow.
Sometimes antibiotic therapy is indispensable.
If the infection is very serious, then it is necessary to take pills and apply local treatment.
Special ointments and compresses.
And understand that if self-medication at home is ineffective, you need to contact a specialist as soon as possible for effective treatment.
How to avoid: preventive measures
In order to avoid the appearance of calluses of any kind, you should listen to some recommendations:
- choose shoes by size;
- try not to get carried away with wearing high-heeled shoes;
- if you feel pain or severe discomfort, stop wearing such shoes or protect your feet from rubbing;
- choose only high-quality shoes with a comfortable and soft last;
- Treat all calluses and cracks that form in a timely manner.
Complications of calluses
Failure to pay attention to calluses can lead to dangerous and unpleasant consequences.
Especially wet, rod and water ones.
But the presence of rod formations causes severe pain and discomfort, and the presence of wet and rod formations often leads to infection.
Which threatens with an abscess, abscess, and in advanced cases even gangrene.
Corns lead to cracks on the plantar surface of the feet.
At the same time, walking is very painful.
Secondary infection - bacteria and fungi - easily penetrates through these cracks.
The appearance of calluses is often caused by a viral infection.
You definitely need to get rid of it; just removing the calluses will not be enough.
General treatment with antiviral drugs is mandatory.
You need to remember that calluses are not such a harmless thing, and take them seriously.
Callus hurts: how to remove and where to remove
Today, there are various ways to get rid of calluses and corns.
They use special tools and devices.
Various techniques are used:
- surgical excision;
- removal using a special device with grinding attachments (cutters);
- cryodestruction (freezing with liquid nitrogen);
- using a laser beam.
The most effective, reliable and safe method is considered to be using laser technology.
Using a carbon dioxide laser beam, the keratinized epithelial layer is evaporated layer by layer without damaging healthy skin.
The main advantages of using a laser to remove calluses are:
- the presence of bloodlessness and complete sterility, since the laser beam causes a bactericidal effect;
- when removing calluses (at one time), scars and other defects do not form;
- rapid rehabilitation (after surgical interventions you can immediately “be in service”).
Such removal can be carried out in specialized offices and clinics where there is the necessary equipment and specialists.
Cost of the procedure
In large cities (Moscow, St. Petersburg), the cost of removing internal callus depends on the severity and size of the affected area:
- if the callus is very small, up to three millimeters, then the approximate price will be 1500-2000 rubles;
- removal of larger and deeper calluses (up to 7 mm) will cost 3000-3500 rubles;
- getting rid of deep calluses measuring about 1 centimeter will cost 5000-5500 rubles.
The means used - disinfecting gel, anesthesia (injection and cream within 500 rubles) can be paid for at a separate rate. However, in many clinics the cost of treatment includes a preliminary consultation with a dermatologist or cosmetologist.
Before choosing a clinic, you need to study both general reviews about it and reviews of doctors who are directly involved in the removal of calluses. It is also worth finding out whether the clinic has the necessary equipment. A consultation would be a good idea. You can contact the clinic by phone in advance and ask all your questions.
