The health of your feet is very important for your well-being. As they are our body's main support, foot pain and problems cause enormous discomfort.
And unfortunately, most people still neglect foot health. But you need to know: you don't have to live with these pains and discomforts! The vast majority of foot problems can be resolved by making an appointment with a podiatrist.
One of the most common foot problems is corns and calluses.
They appear due to excessive friction on specific points on the feet. That is, every time the skin is attacked, it gains thickness as a form of protection.
This defense of your body, however, can cause a lot of discomfort - both physical and aesthetic.
In this article, you'll learn more about corns and calluses, what your treatment options are, and what you should avoid to keep your feet healthy.
Corns and calluses: why seek a podiatrist?
The best way to treat a problem is to identify its cause and eliminate it altogether. With corns and calluses, this is no different.
Even if you remove the corns or calluses, if the cause of the problem is not identified, they will definitely come back.
The causes of corns and calluses are not always easily identified. Your feet are responsible for supporting your entire body and therefore are exposed to countless sources of pressure and tension every day.
In many cases, problems with posture or bone development are involved. In that case, more specific interventions are needed than just removing the calluses.
That's where the podiatrist comes in. This professional is a specialist in feet, has the knowledge and experience to identify what is causing the appearance of your corns and calluses.
Also, removal procedures should not be performed at home. With the monitoring of the podiatrist, you guarantee your health and safety.
Processes such as thinning or the application of calicides can be very dangerous if carried out by someone without training. They can cause bruises and infections, damage to the skin around corns and calluses, and even infections.
But, above all, the removal procedure will not be efficient if you are not accompanied by a podiatrist. As the cause was not treated, the measure will not last.
How to get rid of corns and calluses?
Once your podiatrist has identified the cause of the problem, he or she can recommend several different treatments. Each case is different, which is why it is so important to have a professional.
For example, calluses on the back and between the toes are extremely common. In many of these cases, after the removal of excesses, the podiatrist will be able to use orthoplasty.
That is, the use of silicone protection to reduce friction on the site - usually from shoes or improper posture.
Your podiatrist will also be able to make recommendations regarding habits that can help prevent the appearance of corns and calluses, such as the use of proper footwear, for example.
In other cases, it may be necessary to use kalicides for removal. Calicides are medicines composed of acids suitable for this purpose, and should only be used by the podiatrist.
Improper application can damage the healthy skin surrounding the area with calluses. So, don't use calicides at home!
The most important thing, however, is not the removal of the callus or callus itself. By identifying the source of the problem, you can take the necessary steps to prevent them from recurring.
Corns and calluses: what not to do?
Although you can find numerous recommendations for at-home procedures to get rid of corns and calluses, it is imperative that you seek advice from a podiatrist for any foot problems.
Home methods, in addition to being inefficient, can make the situation much worse. In addition, they can cause minor injuries that serve as a gateway for infectious agents.
As they are constantly in hot and humid environments - in closed shoes, for example - the feet are more likely to develop infections than the rest of the body.
As for commercial treatment options such as patches and calicides, it is important to remember that in addition to being dangerous to healthy skin around the callus, they only treat the symptoms.
That is, even if applied correctly, the corns and calluses will return in a few days.
So, you should avoid these procedures if you have corns or calluses:
- Do not attempt to thin the corns and calluses at home. The problem will come back after a while and you may end up hurting your feet or attacking healthy parts of your skin.
- Never try to remove corns and calluses with sharp objects. This can cause injuries and infections, in addition to making the case worse due to damage to the skin.
- Do not use calicides at home. These products contain acid and can damage healthy skin on application.
- Avoid shoes that are tight or that cause excessive friction at any point on your feet.
It is important to emphasize: if you feel pain or discomfort in your feet, even if you cannot identify any calluses or calluses, it is essential to consult a podiatrist.
Pain is a sign that something is not right, and the sooner the cause is identified, the sooner you can get rid of this discomfort.
Podiatrists are health professionals, qualified to diagnose and treat your corns and calluses. And above all, they will be able to guide you on the prevention and treatment of the cause of the problem.
Your feet deserve all the care! Therefore, schedule your evaluation today.
