Calluses can be irritating, uncomfortable, and downright painful. The best way to deal with calluses is to take active preventative steps. Here’s how to prevent calluses from forming on your feet.
Calluses form as a result of continued pressure or friction on the skin, so the best way to prevent calluses is to avoid overstressing your skin by wearing comfortable shoes and regularly moisturizing and softening your skin.
There are a number of approaches you can take to avoid the discomfort of calluses, but the important takeaway is that you wear shoes that are properly cushioned and the right size. If it’s already too late for you and you want to get rid of your calluses using the best callus remover, or use an electric callus remover like Own Harmony Electric Callus Remover.
The rest of this article will introduce several life habits you can initiate to avoid callus on feet.
What Causes Calluses?
Many people wonder, “Why do I have calluses on my feet?”
Calluses form when friction, pressure, or irritation occurs repeatedly in the same place on the skin. In response, the skin toughens and becomes thicker. Depending on the severity of the callus, you may experience irritation or discomfort.
Calluses are very common on the feet, which already take a lot of stress and friction just from day-to-day living going from A to B, but podiatrists report that calluses are more common in people who wear wrong-sized shoes, sweat more, and stand often.
Loose-fitting shoes move more with each step, causing friction, while sweat can allow your feet to slide instead of grip, again resulting in more friction than usual.
How to Prevent Calluses on Feet
Now that you understand what causes calluses on feet, you can see that preventing calluses on your feet is a multifaceted process that involves easing the day-to-day wear and tear on your feat as well as softening your feet.
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It’s important to keep a healthy foot structure and hygiene throughout your life, and even something as simple as calluses can cause significant discomfort.
An open sore caused by a broken callus, for example, is an open invitation for infection. As such, consider these methods in light of why do calluses form to prevent calluses as much as possible.
Wearing the Right Shoes
How to avoid calluses on feet? The most calluses causes are wearing shoes that aren’t right for you. As such, changing your shoes, adding insoles, or making other modification can help you avoid the risk of developing calluses.
First, check to make sure your shoes fit properly. Shoes that are too loose cause friction and rubbing, while shoes that are too small can cause bunions. Invest in new shoes if your feet change significantly.
You should also make sure that your shoes have plenty of cushion to them. Not only does this help prevent callouses, but it can also prevent other conditions like pressure sores from bothering your feet.
Lastly, rounded shoes are generally better than pointed shoes when it comes to preventing callouses. With pointed-toe shoes, the feet can more easily rub against the interior of the shoes, leading to increased friction that can cause a callus on the big toe.
As an added note, sandals are not good footwear for preventing calluses. They tend to slip and slide around, creating friction that results in a buildup of dead skin and—you guessed it—calluses.
Wear Socks
It may seem simple, but wearing socks can make a big difference in reducing your risk of developing calluses. Wear socks with extra padding in the heel and ball of your foot if you’ve experienced calluses in those spots previously.
Exfoliate Often
Exfoliation is the process of shedding dead skin from the body. Your body does this naturally, but it’s important to give it a little help in places that get a lot of wear-and-tear. You can either use a gentle abrasive to help your skin exfoliate, or a topical exfoliant.
Abrasive scrubbers, like a pumice stone or loofah, work wonderfully to exfoliate the skin, but it’s important to keep them clean to avoid infection. Let your scrubber dry out regularly and sanitize them. Replace your abrasive scrubber every 1-2 months.
Exfoliators for your skin can be natural or chemical in nature. Baking soda, coconut oil, and vinegar are some examples of natural exfoliants that can help you shed dead skin cells.
Chemical exfoliants are usually stronger and dissolve connections between skin cells, shedding dead skin more quickly. These should be used sparingly, but are of great help in keeping your feet soft and callous-free. Some chemical exfoliants to consider include salicylic acid and glycolic acid.
Consult with Your Podiatrist
If you are constantly dealing with cracked, dry, or calloused feet, then it might be time to consult with a professional podiatrist. You may find that you have special needs for your feet, especially if they are abnormally shaped or formed.
A podiatrist, more than anyone else, can help you develop an individualized plan to make sure you have the right footwear and exfoliation routine to prevent calluses.
How to Deal with Calluses
If you develop callouses on your feet, then you’ll be glad to know that you can use the methods described above to get rid of them.
A pumice stone, for example, can help gently rub off callouses to reduce discomfort. Similarly, a natural or chemical exfoliant can help shed those uncomfortable thick layers of skin quickly.
One method you may consider is a foot soak in warm water. Fill a basin with warm water and soak your feet for up to 20 minutes. Doing so softens your skin, and you may find afterwards that you can rub the callous off gently using just your fingers.
It may take several retreatments to remove calluses, and as you go through the process, remember to moisturize your feet. Doing so will help prevent pain and irritation from the affected area.
Final Thoughts
Preventing calluses is often a matter of common sense; treat your feet right, and you shouldn’t have to worry about calluses unless you have an extremely active lifestyle.
Make sure your feet are comfortable in your shoes and that you take care of your feet on a daily basis to prevent the development of calluses on your feet.
