Foot problems are prevalent among the Sydney population and are a common reason for primary care and consultations. According to a study published by the Oxford University Press, approximately 24% of the population aged 45 and above suffered from ankle and foot, and 18-75% of the people from different age groups suffered from specific foot issues like corns, hallux valgus, nail disorders and calluses. This gives you an idea of how prevalent these problems are in Australia and most major cities like Sydney.
Excessive rubbing and pressure can cause calluses on any skin region. But the most commonly affected regions are the fingertips, palms, hands and, most often, the feet. Under moderate conditions, calluses can be treated at home, although this may take time and patience. Through regular moisturisation and exfoliation, they can be treated if the situation isn’t severe. This article takes you through several functional in-house solutions to eliminate calluses. But if the condition is too severe, you should consult a doctor and get treatment for foot callus in Sydney.
Table of Contents
Epsom Salts
Epsom salts can soften the foot calluses. It would help if you used them to prepare the affected area before starting other treatments, such as exfoliating with a pumice stone. Add a handful of Epsom salt to the basin or bath of warm water and soak the affected area for at least 10 minutes. Epsom salts can be found at most pharmacies or bought online.
Pumice Stone
The pumice stone is a porous and light stone used mainly to exfoliate dead skin or calluses. As suggested above, this stone works best once the affected region is softened. An easy way to do this would be to soak the affected region for at least 10 minutes in a warm bath with Epsom salts before exfoliating with the stone. Again, these stones can be found at most pharmacies or even online.
Foot Files
This is another tool that is meant to be used for exfoliating. A foot file comes with a metal grate and a plastic or rubber handle. This tool must be used after the affected region is softened, like the pumice stone. One can also use this tool in the shower or the bath. Once you’re done with the exfoliation, you could use a moisturiser to keep the exfoliated region soft. This item is available in most drugstores and can be purchased online.
Exfoliating Creams
Rather than manually exfoliating the skin, one can exfoliate the calluses and dead skin using several lotions and creams. Such products contain salicylic acid, ammonium lactate, and urea. The user must apply these products daily to witness any changes; over time, the affected region shall become much softer, making the calluses less prominent. Check the ingredients before buying such products, as some components can affect the skin and alleviate the problem. It is worth noting that such items must always be used after consulting a physician. If the problem doesn’t get any better, consider starting treatment for foot callus in Sydney.
Baking Soda Paste
This is an alternative to commercial exfoliating lotions and creams. To prepare such a paste, mix two tablespoons of water with baking soda to form a paste. Adding a few drops of lime juice will do you good too. Once done, apply the paste on the affected regions and cover them with gloves or socks. Repeat the procedures every night until the calluses are gone.
If the condition is severe and doesn’t appear to be getting any better, or if the person has diabetes, peripheral artery disease or neuropathy, it is best to consult the physician and start treatment for foot callus in Sydney and not treat the issue themselves. This could cause other problems, such as nerve or skin injuries and may even alleviate the problem.
