Health

Why Do My Feet Hurt?

The feet support the weight of the body and cushion the skeletal system from impact during strenuous activities. The foot has multiple nerve endings and bones. Prolonged pressure on the joints makes the feet susceptible to injuries. Subtle causes of foot pain, such as calluses, develop into chronic foot problems. Foot injuries are a common reason why many people visit orthopedic centers. Medical experts employ innovative methods to treat calluses in Bakersfield.

What Are Calluses?

Calluses are a thick band of tissue formed when there is constant irritation on the feet. This condition is referred to medically as the plantar fascia, which compels the outer layer of skin to provide a protective mechanism. The constant friction causes the skin to develop a thick rough layer. The layer may be scaly and cause discomfort when wearing shoes and during running. If calluses are untreated, they may begin to crack and bleed, which can be very painful. 

Causes of Calluses

Calluses result from uneven feet pressure and continuous rubbing. Wearing ill-fitting shoes compresses the area of your feet. Cramped feet generate unnecessary warmth and cause friction when you walk. Footwear with low-quality material also rubs against your feet, causing flaky skin. Wearing cotton socks smoothes your feet and spreads tension evenly. Skiing socks means your foot is in direct contact with the seams of the shoe and will repeatedly rub, causing calluses.

Risk Factors for Calluses

  • Diabetes – Calluses are more prevalent in people with diabetes. Type 2 diabetes damages nerve endings and disrupts blood circulation in the legs. Inflamed calluses develop into foot deformities in diabetics since the pain is not perceivable by the pain receptors in the feet.
  • Other Orthopedic injuries – Tendon ruptures and ligament tears cause significant pain when calluses arise. It is noble to visit a doctor for callus treatment before further complications, such as flaky skin due to an orthopedic injury.
  •  Pregnancy – Pregnant women experience an increase in weight where the feet crumble too. Unsustainable weight may cause swelling of the feet and consequently calluses.
  • Smoking – Generally, smoking impedes recovery from most musculoskeletal injuries and magnifies foot injuries and conditions such as calluses. Smoking lowers blood circulation making calloused skin ache during exercises.

What Are My Treatment Options For Calluses?

  1. Surgery – A misaligned bone shifts the body’s weight to lean on one side of the feet. Constant irritation as you try to balance your walking generates calluses on the feet. A surgeon may opt for this invasive callus removal technique in advanced stages of calloused feet or where creams and other treatment options no longer suffice.
  2. Shoe inserts – If you have an underlying foot deformity, your physician may recommend soft shoe inserts that allow your foot to glide over and lower friction. Custom padded shoe inserts cushion your feet from excessive impact and improve blood flow also.
  3. Paring down excess skin – A doctor may trim down excess flaky skin on your feet using a scalpel. Some people try this at home; however, it is not advisable to do so. Home treatment options to employ instead of cutting away your skin is using salicylic gel to remove calluses. Sterile paring down of calluses is salient to prevent infection and possible foot deformity.

Conclusion

Feet deformities immobilize and impede blood circulation. Preventing foot deformities by treating calluses is a noble step to maintaining your overall health. Visit a callus specialist today if you notice any flaky or dry skin on your feet that causes discomfort.

Show More

Related Articles

Back to top button