Pinch callus is mostly caused by wearing tight-fitting socks or shoes such as high heels. Foot abnormalities such as bunions, hammer toes, and bone spurs and improper biomechanics can also cause pinch callus.
Pinch calluses are a sign that you need to visit a doctor or a foot care nurse. Foot callus is a state where the human body turns in additional layers of skin to a region of the foot that is getting imprudent wear, or irritation. If you are reading this article, your toe is paining, and you are having discomfort while walking. Be comforted by the fact that pinch calluses are treatable. Actually, after a while, your foot will be fine, and you will be able to walk comfortably. Keep reading on, this article we will show you the causes, treatment as well as the prevention of pinch callus.
What causes painful calluses on feet?
Pinch callus: Why do you get them?
Pinch calluses are thick and hardened layers of skin which develop when your skin tries to shield itself against friction and pressure. Calluses develop on the feet and toes or hands and fingers.
What are the symptoms of pinch callus?
If you have a clauss, you may notice the following:
1. A thick, rough area of skin could signify a callus or corn formation
2. A hardened, raised bump could be a sign of a callus
3. If you feel tenderness or pain under your skin, you could be forming a pinch callus
4. Flaky, dry or waxy skin could also be a sign of pinch callus
What causes pinch callus?
There are three reasons why you develop pinch calluses.
Poor footwear can cause pinch callus
Pinch callus is mostly induced by wearing tight-fitting shoes such as high heels. People like wearing good looking shoes which sometimes comes with the cost of their feet. A narrow fitting shoe, cramps the toes making them rub together. Shoes such as high heels and flip flops do not enable the foot to go through the proper mechanics of gait and causes people to put so much pressure onto the wrong areas. A shoe which does not fit your foot can cause pinch callus. Skipping socks can also be a problem. Socks that do not fit well can squeeze the toes and makes then rub against each other.
Beware that foot abnormalities can cause pinch callus.
Pinch abnormalities such as bunions, hammer toes, and bone spurs can cause calluses as a result of gait and the proper mechanics of your foot change. Crowding of the toes as a result of the first toe deviating inwards can cause serious callus problems. Bunions are hereditary and require a doctor or foot nurse to evaluate and determine if there is a need for surgery.
Pinch callus can be caused by improper biomechanics
The position of your pinch callus can indicate if your gait has been compromised. A normal gait does not produce foot callus.
When a human foot is not going through the proper mechanical steps to a foot distortion or a deficiency, the foot will apply excess pressure to areas and cause a callus. In a normal gait, the heel hits the ground first, and the foot is briefly rigid. The foot then becomes a flexible structure which unlocks the hinge joint.
A compromised gait can cause changes in the bones and joints of your feet, and unnecessary force and irritation on specific areas of your foot and the formation of pinch calluses.
How do you treat a pinch callus?
Pinch Callus Treatment
Treatment for corns and calluses usually engage in avoiding similar actions which caused the pinch calluses to develop. As an individual you solve the foot callus problem by wearing good fitting shoes, using protective pads and taking other feet self-care measures. If a pinch callus becomes more painful or the pain persists despite the self-care efforts, see a doctor for medical treatment. The following are the treatment options.
The doctor can trim away excess skin to treat callus. A doctor or foot care nurse can trim away thickened skin with a scalpel, generally during an office visit. Do not do this yourself as you will only increase the infection.
Shoe inserts as a pinch callus treatment method. If you have any foot deformity, your doctor may prescribe custom-made padded shoe inserts prevent the calluses from occurring again.
In some instances, surgery may be essential to treat a pinch callus. If a foot callus is caused by bone distortion, a doctor or foot nurse could recommend surgery to correct it.
Pinch callus removal
You can remove the pinch callus yourself, or let a doctor do it.
Removing pinch callus at home
Luckily, it is easier to remove a callus while at home than evicting a roommate. You just need the right products and patience. So the next time you, or someone close to you develops a pinch callus, follow the following pointers and hopefully you will be back on your feet with no time; if not see a doctor.
Step 1: Soak the pinch callus every night. Soak your feet in warm water and baking soda every night. This will help break down the dead cells and soften the callus. You can also use Epsom salt bath to soothe the skin as it softens. Dry your skin after a soak. The moisture can spread the infection.
Step 2: Rub some lactic acid on the pinch callus. Before you go to bed, smear lactic acid on your callus. Try putting on a sock after smearing it prevent the germs from spreading.
Step 3: Get a pinch callus remover. In the morning, preferably before you shower, use a callus remover to remove the calluses. Dead skin will fly off - it is gross but soothing. Remove the callus enough to smooth the surface of the skin. The removal is intended to get rid of the excess bulk, but if you apply grater too long, you might break the skin. Follow this with a warm shower and dry off.
Step 4: Moisturize the affected area after removing the pinch callus. Now that the callus is gone, you need to soothe and soften your skin.
Step 5; Have a doctor examine your feet after home pinch callus removal. After removing the pinch callus, you might want to confirm that the infection is gone completely. Also if you are getting blisters consistently and pinch calluses, it is essential to have a podiatrist examine your foot.R
Pinch callus removal by a doctor
To remove your pinch callus, your doctor can apply a patch containing 40 percent salicylic acid. The patch is accessible over the counter without a prescription. Depending on your infection the doctor will inform you how many times you need to replace the patch. The doctor might also recommend you to use a pumice stone or nail file to smooth away dead skin.
How do I permanently get rid of calluses on my feet?
How to get rid of calluses on feet permanently?
If you have foot calluses, the only way to get rid of them forever is to get treatment. There are great options for you as discussed in the section above. You can have a doctor examine you, or if you like creating your own solutions, home remedies for calluses are cheap, useful and worth a try. To get rid of the pinch calluses permanently you need to know the factors causing callus and ways of preventing it.
What factors increase the risk of pinch callus
- A bunion can increase the chances of pinch callus infection. A bunion is an unusual, bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe.
- A hammertoe deformity where your toe curls like a claw can also cause pinch callus.
- Certain conditions such as bone spur can cause constant rubbing inside your shoe resulting to pinch callus
- Foot and toe deformities a foot mobility disorders may also predispose to the development of calluses. These abnormalities might occur in congenital malformations such as hollow foot, or be acquired as in the case of hallux valgus and mallet fingers.
- Secondary diseases such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis also increase chances of callus formation.
- Physical activity resulting in a mechanical overload of the foot, as well as the state after osteotomy surgery, increases the chance of pinch callus formation.
- There are also higher chances of callus in women, which is explained by the use of high heels, which is often less well-fitting.
- It has also been proven that body weight can be positively correlated with plantar callus because of pressure values.
Pinch Callus Prevention
The following practices can help you prevent pinch callus.
Wear shoes that give your toes plenty of room to prevent pinch callus occurrence. When shopping for shoes, have a shop stretch at the store to avoid buying unfitting shoes. If you can not wiggle your toes, your shoes are too tight.
Use protective coverings to prevent pinch callus. Wearing felt pads, non medicated corn pads or bandages over areas which rub against your footwear can prevent pinch callus from forming.
Another way of reducing the odds of pinch callus is foot assessment by a healthcare professional. Medical foot examination can determine your foot biomechanics and come up with a plan for prevention if you are at risk of pinch callus infection.
Use oils and scrubs to keep your skin soft and prevent pinch calluses formation. Massaging feet with oils helps to improve the blood circulation and to ensure the oil reaches everywhere. You can use extra virgin coconut oil every morning and night, to keep the dry and hard skin away.
Pinch Callus Running
If you are a runner and this hardened mass of skin tends to build upon your heels, it is possible from the edge of your shoes rubbing against the back of your foot. If your callus is on the side of the big toe, it can be from wearing too-tight shoes or your running-form.
If calluses are a challenge for you, ensure your running shoes are wide enough across the front, so there is no pinching. The skin might seem dry, flaky and harder than the rest of your skin. However, it is possible to reduce calluses development during running with several changes. Most doctors recommend switching to a more supportive and stabilizing shoe to stop your foot from rolling and wearing good running socks that absorb sweat and minimize friction. You can also:
1. Choose running shoes that give your feet plenty of room, when buying shoes try wiggling your shoes.
2. Wear the right socks when jogging to prevent pinch callus from forming.
3. Be attentive to where your running shoes pinch and pull to prevent pinch callus occurrence.
4. Place a barrier between where the shoe is rubbing and your skin to avoid pinch callus temporarily.
5. If you have a foot problem talk to a foot nurse about using insets in running sessions.
If your foot hurts while running it could be a blister has developed beneath. It could also be a wart or corn, but not callused. If a callus is red, dry, and cracking, it could be a symptom of chronic athlete’s foot, whether it is a callus or corn both cases demand podiatrist attention.
