When patients in Northeastern New Jersey develop calluses on their feet that cause discomfort, the podiatrists at the Foot & Ankle Specialists of New Jersey can provide treatments to remove the calluses and protect the feet. Appointments are available at offices located in Scotch Plains and Union, New Jersey.
Calluses are areas of thick, hardened, dead skin that form to protect the skin and structures under the skin from pressure, friction, and injury. Calluses usually appear as grayish or yellowish hardened lumps of skin. They are typically less sensitive to the touch than surrounding skin, and feel rough. Calluses on the feet generally form on the ball of the foot, the heel, and the underside of the big toe. They often form where the foot and the beginning of a toe meet.
Calluses can be gently sloughed away although, patients are often advised to wear comfortable flat to prevent the calluses from reforming. A podiatrist may cut away some of the thickened skin using a sharp blade called a scalpel. This helps to relieve pressure on the tissue underneath. This is particularly useful when calluses form on the ball of the foot and cause a painful pressure point when the patient takes a step. You should never try to cut the callus away by yourself. You could harm healthy tissue or spread infection.
You can also help prevent corns and calluses by looking after your feet and choosing the right shoes to wear. The doctors at the Foot & Ankle Specialists of New Jersey recommend proper foot care including:
If you have any questions regarding whether your insurance plan is accepted and coverage, please feel free to contact our office.