Callus: why it occurs and how to remove it.

Calluses and corns

A callus is the result of prolonged friction or pressure on the skin. Manifests itself in the form of keratinized areas (death of epithelial cells). Calluses are divided into two types: dry and wet. Their difference is that liquid accumulates at the site of callus formation, thereby forming a wet callus. Over time, wet calluses can turn into dry calluses, which have a deep core.

Calluses on the phalanges of the toes

Corns are a type of callus, which is characterized by thickening of the keratinized skin of the foot (heel area) without a core, due to which a person experiences severe pain and burning when walking.

Reasons for appearance:

The main reason for the formation is narrow shoes that rub the feet, as well as long walking or prolonged standing. Also, the cause may be diseases such as flat feet, diabetes, psoriasis, hypovitaminosis (lack of vitamins).

corns in the heel area of the foot

Reasons for appearance:

Stages of callus development The first stage is redness, swelling, and mild pain in the area of friction. The second stage is characterized by the formation of a cavity in which intercellular fluid accumulates. When palpated, the callus causes pain. Redness may persist in the area where the callus forms.

Callus

Stages of development of corns:

The first stage - during the rubbing process, redness and swelling appear on the skin, and unpleasant sensations arise.

The second stage - a characteristic feature is the presence of gray or yellow areas. Cracks of varying depths may also appear on them.

Sensitivity in the area of corns formation is low. Pain occurs, but only when walking. They can only intensify when inflammatory processes occur.

Medical diagnosis of callus

Core-type calluses are fairly easy to diagnose.
After an in-person consultation, a dermatologist can provide a conclusion and diagnosis about the type of skin growth.

The only difficulty may be differentiating an ingrown callus from Verruca plantaris (plantar wart).

Because they have the same location and appearance.

You can distinguish a callus from a wart by the following features:

An ingrown callus is not accompanied by bleeding even with strong pressure on it.
A wart, unlike a callus, is not a single formation. Typically, upon examination, several warts that resemble cauliflower can be identified.
The callus in its central zone has a small depression, which can be seen upon detailed examination. In the case of a wart, the HPV formation consists of thin fibers; petechiae (black dots) are observed on top, which bleed when injured.
If a wart is present, pain occurs when the lesion itself is palpated; there is no pain when walking. In the case of calluses, pain is observed with any mechanical movement.

To confirm the diagnosis and determine the cause of the disease, the dermatologist prescribes a blood test for diabetes mellitus.

Also an analysis to determine the human papillomavirus, to exclude HPV.

Additionally, the doctor can redirect the patient to other specialized specialists.

See a podiatrist (a doctor who treats foot pathologies), a rheumatologist or an orthopedist.

An important point is to exclude Morton's neuroma.

Morton's neuroma is a benign or non-cancerous growth of fibrous tissue.

Develops in the area of the tibial nerve, most often between the third and fourth fingers.

The pathology is accompanied by thickening of the plantar nerve, pain when walking, and a feeling of numbness in the fingers.

The disease is also known as Morton's metatarsalgia, plantar neuroma, and intermetatasal neuroma.

Methods for treating and removing ingrown calluses

The only and effective method of eliminating this problem on the legs is to remove the stratum corneum of the callus and its root.

In this case, it is important to completely remove not only the surface of the callus, but also the root.

Otherwise, the risk of relapse reaches 100%.

There are various methods for removing calluses; the optimal treatment option is selected individually.

Depending on the clinical signs, the neglect of the case and how deep the root has penetrated into the layers of the dermis.

Prevention

You can avoid a situation with a negative manifestation by following the basic rules of hand skin care. When working with harmful or chemical products, gloves must be worn.

This is a must when working with heavy loads. In this case, you will be able to avoid rubbing on your palms and fingers. It is important to use moisturizer and pumice stone regularly.

With timely prevention, it will be possible to maintain the condition of the skin of your hands in perfect condition for many years. Otherwise, funds will have to be allocated for treatment.

Removing callus using drilling

This procedure can be carried out in a pedicure salon.

During the manipulation, a special device resembling a drill is used.

The procedure does not require the use of anesthesia.

Since it is not accompanied by pain.

Drilling/excision of callus areas is carried out using special attachments.

An antibacterial ointment is first placed in the deepening of the callus to prevent the development of the inflammatory process.

For the first few days, the patient may feel minor discomfort, which goes away on its own and does not require treatment.

Dry callus is removed using a similar method, but provided that it is not neglected.

The drilling procedure has certain disadvantages:

If the rod is located deep enough, this manipulation may be ineffective. Often several manipulations are required to completely remove the callus.
In the process of drilling out the keratinized area of the dermis, damage to healthy skin is possible. The procedure requires a highly qualified specialist.
This type of callus removal is a contact type of procedure, which means it is accompanied by an increased risk of infection.

Reasons for the formation of calluses on the finger

Dry crusts or wet blisters may appear on the skin under the influence of negative external and internal factors. The process is not always directly related to an increase in the intensity of physical labor.

The selection of a course of treatment should be made only after determining the cause of the development of the clinical picture in a negative way. Calluses on the fingers appear under the influence of the following factors:

Excessive physical activity negatively affects the condition of the skin. Calluses are a consequence of active sports, doing housework, repairs or construction. Against this background, growths with lymphatic fluid often occur.

It is recommended to reduce the load. Otherwise, blood may begin to collect inside the formation. Additionally, the risk of secondary infection also increases.
Often, calluses on the fingers can be found in seamstresses, carpenters or turners. The formations are formed through regular friction against the surface of the skin. In secretaries, the symptom appears on the fingertips, and in students, chafing occurs from a ballpoint pen.
The condition of the epidermis worsens when there is a lack of vitamins A and E in the body. In this case, the skin cannot withstand excessive stress. Preventive intake of vitamin complexes, which is recommended once every 12 months, will help to avoid the situation.

How to get rid of calluses on your fingers, watch this video:

Types of formations

The callus must be correctly identified.

Only after this will the dermatologist be able to choose the right course of treatment. Today in medical practice, education is differentiated into the following types:

A large amount of fluid accumulates inside the dropsy. They occur due to excessive physical activity or friction. After a few days, the callus ruptures and after that the stage of active healing of the skin begins.
Dry callus is the result of moderate friction. Thanks to him, the skin tries to rid itself of injury. They are much more difficult to eliminate than the previous type.
The rod is characterized by the presence of a root that penetrates deep into the skin. The lesion is serious and requires immediate surgical removal.

How to delete

Thanks to the qualified help of a doctor, you can quickly get rid of calluses:

The rod formation is eliminated by drilling, laser burning, cryodestruction or electrocoagulation.
Only a surgeon can help eliminate a purulent callus. Without timely assistance, the risk of developing suppuration increases.

Traditional medicine

Any pharmacy offers a wide range of medications that will help get rid of the blister within a few days. During the treatment process, you should adhere to a number of simple rules:

A weeping blister is dangerous due to the increased risk of spreading a secondary infection.
Treatment with an antiseptic (hydrogen peroxide, furacilin, chlorhexidine) will help prevent its development. The use of antibacterial ointments (levomekol, liniment, syntomycin) is allowed. After applying the drug to the affected area, it is necessary to additionally stick a patch. It is forbidden to open the bladder yourself, otherwise inflammation may develop.
Dry calluses will first need to be softened. It is recommended to steam the skin first. An ointment, special liquid or patch is suitable for this. They usually contain salicylic or benzoic acid. During use, you must be extremely careful, as there is a risk of damage to healthy areas. The callus is removed using pumice after 12-72 hours.
Trichloroacetic acid is a radical agent. It should be used very carefully. Otherwise, a chemical burn may occur. The composition is suitable for eliminating dry calluses. Trichloroacetic acid should be applied to the affected area after preliminary softening once a day.

This video will tell you how to treat calluses:

Folk remedies

To remove calluses, you can also use all-natural ingredients. Most often, aloe juice is used for this. The leaves of the plant are peeled and crushed.

The resulting composition should be applied to the affected area. Swelling, pain and inflammation disappear within a few days. Additionally, the process of natural tissue regeneration starts.

Aloe juice helps destroy harmful bacteria and microorganisms.

To eliminate calluses and the consequences of their formation, it is recommended to use one of the following traditional medicine methods:

Celandine juice helps get rid of many skin diseases. Calluses and warts are no exception. It is recommended to apply the composition to the affected surface once a day.
Aloe helps not only relieve inflammation in wet blisters, but also soften the upper part of the epidermis in dry ones. Regular use guarantees painless removal of keratinized tissue.
Chopped garlic helps get rid of calluses. The resulting composition is best applied to the affected area at night.
To nourish and moisturize the skin, it is recommended to use calendula compresses. To prepare the healing composition, it is recommended to use exclusively the flowers of the plant.
Propolis has a positive effect on the condition of the skin. Before use, it must be warmed well and wrapped in gauze. To secure it, you should use a regular plaster.
A bath of soap and soda helps soften rough areas.
To prepare it, take three tablespoons of powder, add a little soap shavings and warm boiled water. A positive result can only be achieved if the procedure is carried out for at least 15 minutes.
Oat straw has long been used to remove calluses. It must be filled with water and boiled for 10 minutes. The resulting composition is poured into a basin, in which further steaming will take place. After manipulation, the callus will become dry, so it can be easily removed from the skin. For this it is advisable to use pumice.
For the bath you will need to take 2 liters of warm water and add two tablespoons of sea salt to it. The positive effect will be noticeable if you steam your palms for 25 minutes. After completing the procedure, hands should be thoroughly lubricated with moisturizing cream.

When using traditional medicine methods, one should not forget that they can cause an allergic reaction. Most often, individual intolerance in people is fixed to honey and herbal components.

Before starting any procedure, you need to apply a small amount of the composition to the crook of your arm.

The method should be abandoned if there is redness or burns. The abuse of organic acids is also dangerous. Excessive amounts of acetic or citric acid can leave a mark on the skin.

When using them, you must strictly adhere to the dosage indicated in the recipe. Otherwise, the risk of complications, scars and burns increases. They can remain on a person's skin for life.

Removal of callus with liquid nitrogen (cryodestruction)

Cryodestruction is an innovative, highly effective method of removing calluses on the foot, heel or toes using liquid nitrogen.

During the procedure, the keratinized area of the skin is frozen, after which the destruction of the callus is observed.

It has been noted that the procedure is associated with an extremely low rate of callus re-development.

Many dermatologists note that no other method for removing core calluses gives results as favorable as cryodestruction.

Removing callus with liquid nitrogen takes about 10-20 minutes.

It is performed under local anesthesia, so the procedure is completely painless and safe.

Side effects are extremely rare (no more than 3% of cases).

Include callus recurrence, pain, discomfort, bleeding, infection, scarring.

The first few days after the procedure, the formation of a cold bubble is observed, which under no circumstances should be pierced.

Within 10-14 days, the healing process occurs; a crust forms in place of the bubble, which falls off on its own.

The process is not accompanied by the formation of scars.

The procedure is usually well tolerated, with minor discomfort possible.

Some disadvantages of cryotherapy:

If the rod is extremely deep, cryodestruction is not always able to completely rid the patient of the callus.
If you do not properly care for the skin after the procedure, there is a risk of an infectious process.
Freezing the callus with liquid nitrogen is not used when large areas of the epidermis are affected. Cryodestruction used on large calluses can lead to a number of complications. For this reason, in advanced cases, they resort to other therapeutic methods.

3. Symptoms and diagnosis

There are several types of calluses, which differ significantly both etiologically and clinically. For example, a core callus is usually formed in response to the introduction of a small foreign body (a splinter, a chip that has gotten under the skin, a piece of stone, etc.) and is a compaction that goes deep, visible from the outside as a cap with a central crater. Corns are also a type of callus - keratinized areas on the soles of the feet, sometimes of a fairly large area, without a clear boundary with the skin of normal elasticity and moisture.

The most obvious and significant difference is between the two main categories of calluses: soft and dry.

Soft (water) calluses at the stage of formation are a locally irritated, reddened, weeping, painful area of skin, which quickly transforms into a blister or sac filled with serous fluid (“dropsy”); if the exposure does not stop at this stage, the soft callus inevitably breaks through to form an open wound. The penetration of pathogenic microorganisms triggers an infectious-inflammatory process, the classic signs of which are swelling, hyperemia, clearly localized pain, and local fever. The most serious of the complications mentioned above include purulent abscesses, cellulitis, and osteomyelitis.

The callus is dry (hard), looks like a local rounded keratinization, usually yellow-gray, with a radius of several millimeters to several centimeters, clearly demarcated from the surrounding skin and rising (sometimes significantly) above its level. Any pain or discomfort occurs, as a rule, only when such a callus is pressed or laterally displaced.

The most common areas for the formation of calluses are the distal, terminal sections of the hands and feet (phalangeal folds, fingertips, interdigital spaces, skin of the palms and soles), as well as elbows and knees. More specific calluses can also occur in other areas: for example, in professional violinists, constant contact with the hard varnished wood of the soundboard causes the skin on the lower jaw bone on the left to become rough.

As a rule, there is no need for additional diagnostics: a dermatologist or surgeon at first glance distinguishes a callus from an inflammatory cyst or abscess, scleroderma skin changes, warts, swelling due to joint inflammation, etc. However, in some cases, a differential diagnostic study (for example, histological or ultrasound) may be necessary.

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Laser excision of callus

Laser callus removal remains a priority treatment method.

Allows you to effectively eliminate the problem with minimal risk of recurrence.

The laser penetrates into the deep layers of the dermis, which makes it possible to remove the root completely, rather than partially.

The operation of the device is based on the reproduction of a laser beam with special light properties:

Monochromatic: Has only one specific wavelength or color.
Coherence: Vibrates in the same phase or synchronously.
Divergence: the beam works in a given direction.

During the manipulation, the epidermal layer is “burned out”, one after another.

The manipulation requires the use of an anesthetic.

The average session duration is no more than 10-15 minutes.

Before using the laser, the callus is treated with antiseptic drugs.

After laser irradiation, a dense crust forms, which will disappear after 10-14 days.

Laser treatment to remove calluses leads to cell regeneration.

It has an anti-inflammatory effect and stimulates the local immune system.

Thus, it promotes rapid healing of wounds.

However, the main advantage of the laser is the complete removal of callus even with a deep root location.
Often, one visit to a dermatologist is enough to effectively eliminate the problem.

Radio wave removal of callus

Callus removal by radio wave is carried out using a special device “Surgitron”.

The Surgitron device uses advanced radio wave technology.

Ensures accuracy, versatility and safety of medical procedures.

The surgical electrode, which is a tungsten wire, emits 3.8 MHz radio waves and slides through the tissue without putting pressure on it.

The pathologically changed area is evaporated, which leads to the destruction of the callus.

An important advantage is that the electrode is self-sterilizing during use, which reduces the likelihood of infection after the procedure.

Other benefits of radio wave treatment:

Excellent cosmetic results; the manipulation is not accompanied by the formation of scar tissue.
Fast recovery for the patient, since the treatment process does not affect the healthy tissue surrounding the callus.
Reduced postoperative pain; in addition, the manipulation itself is not accompanied by pain.

After radio wave removal, the callus becomes covered with a crust, which falls off on its own after 7-10 days.

After which a new, healthy layer of new skin appears, which over time blends with the natural color of the epidermis.

1.General information

Calluses are a widespread phenomenon, which in the vast majority of cases does not come to the attention of outpatient or, especially, inpatient surgeons. The exception is rare cases of complications that require surgery and subsequent intensive treatment.

This development of events is mainly due to the fact that “ordinary” calluses are opened at home without observing the basic rules of asepsis and the principles of primary medical self-help. Therefore, it will not be amiss to remember what a skin callus is and what measures need to be taken to eliminate and prevent it.

We emphasize that in this case we are talking only about skin calluses; Bone calluses are a different kind of pathology that should be considered separately.

A must read! Help with treatment and hospitalization!

Treatment of callus with medications

It is immediately worth noting that drug treatment of calluses has the least therapeutic effectiveness.

This phenomenon is associated with the inability of drugs to penetrate deep into tissues, eliminating the root of the formation.

The products used for core calluses often contain keratolytic components and can be effective at the beginning of callus development.

As a rule, products based on salicylic acid are used.

Salicylic acid is a keratoplastic and keratolytic agent.

In addition, it has an antibacterial and antifungal effect.

Salicylic acid works by softening keratin, a natural protein that is part of the skin's structure and produced by the body.

The drug has a softening effect on the stratum corneum of the dermis, which facilitates its removal.

Salicylic acid is often used in combination with other substances.

Allows for a higher therapeutic effect.

When using salicylic acid preparations, the simultaneous use of the following drugs is not recommended:

Alcohol-containing medications.
Any other local medications that contain dibenzoyl peroxide or retinoid.
Soapy substances that have a drying effect.
Cosmetics that have an exfoliating effect.

How to choose the right ointment against calluses?

In home treatment, the drug is selected taking into account the type of callosal defect:

Ointments with a moisturizing, softening, and keratolytic effect will help with corns and dry calluses. Therapeutic agents enhance desquamation - exfoliation of dead skin flakes, activate blood microcirculation, and soften damaged areas.
For shallow core calluses, keratolytic preparations are used to loosen the keratinized epidermis, and local anesthetics to eliminate pain.
For water calluses, burst blisters, and areas worn down to the flesh, use antibacterial anti-inflammatory drugs that have a drying and wound-healing effect. And also, reparants and regenerants for skin restoration.

For bloody calluses resulting from tissue compression, treatment with antiseptics is necessary. An infection easily penetrates into a burst blood callus, which can lead to suppuration, inflammation of the lymph nodes, and sepsis (blood poisoning).

Benefits of ointment treatment:

accessibility (you don’t need a doctor’s prescription to purchase the product);
therapeutic effect to accelerate the healing of the epidermis;
wide choice of directional action;
acceptable price category.

Important!
Medicines for external use do not have direct contact with the digestive organs, which significantly reduces the list of contraindications for their use. When self-treating with topical drugs, you must:

follow the instructions for use;
before use, perform an allergy test on the inner bend of the elbow joint;
After opening the package, store the ointment in the refrigerator.

Traditional medicine in the treatment of calluses

Folk remedies cannot affect the development of callus and are not an effective treatment method.

The treatment and removal of callus must be carried out by a qualified specialist.

This will minimize negative consequences and complications.

It is necessary to begin treatment of callus in the early stages of its development.

When there is still a chance to get rid of the problem without resorting to surgical methods.

As it progresses, the root of the callus will penetrate into the deeper layers of the epidermis.

Then it may be necessary to use more radical and expensive methods of therapy.

4.Treatment

When opening a soft callus at home, the first priority is antiseptic measures: the affected area should be thoroughly washed and disinfected, the needle should be sterilized (it is better to use the sterile needle included with any disposable syringe). After opening and expiration of the contents, the wound surface should also be treated with a disinfectant solution, carefully remove flaps of dead skin with a sterilized manicure instrument (do not tear off under any circumstances!), apply antibiotic ointment and, if necessary, a protective bandage or bactericidal patch. There is also a wide range of traditional medicine, the consideration of which is beyond the scope of this article.

To eliminate and prevent dry calluses, therapeutic and hygienic creams, gels, ointments, and liquids are offered; You can also find countless recommendations for steaming, using pumice, softening compresses, etc. However, it is more important to remember the following.

At the first signs of an infectious-inflammatory process, as well as when a rapid change in the size, shape, color of the callus and/or sensations associated with it begins, you should immediately consult a doctor (surgeon or dermatologist). Currently, many methods for the safe removal and treatment of calluses are successfully used, taking into account the individual nuances of each case: radio wave, laser, cryotherapeutic, microsurgical techniques.