How to Treat Heel Calluses
Calluses form on your feet as a response to the enormous pressure that your feet endure every day. Some amount of callusing on the heel and ball of the foot is completely normal and helps to provide your feet with extra cushioning and protection. However, when calluses become too large, they can start to crack and become painful. In some cases, the callus can develop into a heel fissure that can bleed and lead to infection. For advanced heel calluses, see your foot doctor to help prevent complications.
Some excellent treatments for heel calluses include the following:
Hard skin removal—After bathing or soaking to soften the skin, a pumice stone or foot file can be used to gradually remove the rough skin. You may wish to have this done by your foot doctor to avoid removing too much skin and causing bleeding and pain.
Use plenty of moisturizer—Try to moisturize your cracked heel skin two or three times per day, especially after showering or bathing. You can add moisturizing lotion at night and cover your foot with a sock so the lotion can soak into your skin over many hours.
Wear properly fitted shoes with orthotic inserts—See your foot doctor about wearing shoes with a deeper heel cup that will allow for the placement of custom orthotic inserts to help redistribute pressure away from the heel area.
If you need help treating painful cracked heels, see your foot doctor for the proper care. At E.J. Nemet Podiatry in Twinsburg, E.J. Nemet, DPM, treats a variety of foot and ankle conditions, including sports injuries, pediatric foot problems, diabetic foot complications, nerve disorders, and toenail and skin conditions. With advanced technologies and dedicated staff, Dr. Nemet provides expert and compassionate care to patients in the Twinsburg and Beachwood areas. To contact us or to schedule an appointment, please call (234) 212-9940.