Calluses are a thicker, stiffer and thicker area in the outer layer of the skin, which appears due to excessive production of keratin in that location, and which is the result of constant friction and pressure.
The most frequent areas for the appearance of calluses, or calluses, are the feet and hands, especially on the skin that is over a bony protrusion, such as heels, toes or the plantar region of the hands.
To eliminate calluses, it is essential to avoid friction and pressure in these areas and, therefore, it is recommended to change your shoes for more comfortable ones and protect your hands with thicker gloves, for example. In addition, you can remove calluses through natural measures, such as placing your feet in warm water with a few drops of essential oil and applying an exfoliating cream or pumice stone. See a ritual to eliminate calluses on your feet.
How calluses appear
Calluses appear due to repeated friction and constant pressure in a certain region of the body, which alter the texture of the skin, leaving it thicker and harder. This can happen mainly due to situations such as:
- Wear tight shoes;
- Use musical instruments repeatedly;
- Do bodybuilding activities without gloves;
- Work on construction sites carrying weight or using hand tools.
Constant friction and pressure leads to the formation and accumulation of keratin in the skin, a protein that makes the skin thicker. However, this buildup may take a few days or weeks to notice.
In addition to aesthetic changes, calluses can cause pain and often make simple daily activities, such as wearing shoes or practicing physical activity, difficult. Therefore, it is essential to take care of the health of your feet and hands, to prevent the appearance of calluses and eliminate existing calluses.
How to remove and prevent calluses
To eliminate calluses and prevent them from appearing, it is important to take some daily care to maintain the integrity of the skin. Among them are:
- Soak your feet in warm water with a few drops of an essential oil or sweet almond oil, until the skin becomes more supple;
- Apply an exfoliating cream, making circular movements over the thickest region, to remove excess keratin from this location. Discover some homemade recipes for homemade body scrubs;
- Clean the region, gently, with a specific sandpaper for skin, used in beauty salons, to reduce the callus and make it more uniform. It is important to be careful not to carry out intense movements in the region, as this could have the opposite effect and make the skin thicker. You can use a pumice stone to help remove excess skin;
- Moisturize the skin of your feet and hands, making gentle movements, until the skin completely absorbs the lotion. See other home remedy options for calluses.
- Change your shoes on the other hand, it is more comfortable and avoids pressure areas, especially on the sides and soles of the feet;
- Use insolesmaking shoes more comfortable and reducing the pressure and friction caused on the feet;
- Wear thick gloves to protect the skin of your handswhen performing movements that cause constant friction, such as picking up weights;
In some cases, medications such as salicylic acid and urea, for example, can be used, which soften the callus, leaving the skin smooth again. In these cases, it is recommended to seek medical advice to advise on the specific treatment for each case.
