Blisters and calluses are two common skin afflictions that often develop on the skin of your feet. Even though they’re common, if you regularly experience blisters and calluses, there may be underlying factors you need to address.
Most of the time, blisters and calluses will heal quickly, and there’s no permanent harm done. However, your feet don’t get quite as much blood flow as the rest of your body, so any damage done to the skin takes longer to heal, which poses a risk for infection.
To mitigate infection risk, it’s important to understand not only how to treat them when they arise but also how to prevent them from happening in the first place.
At Arlington Foot and Ankle Centers in Arlington, Texas, our team of board-certified podiatrists specializes in treating foot wounds, large or small. Here, we discuss practical ways to care for blisters and calluses, along with habits to implement that will reduce the risk of recurrence.
Although these common skin conditions may seem similar, there are key differences between them.
Blisters are small, fluid-filled bubbles that form on the skin’s surface and can vary in size. Various things can cause blisters, but most often, friction is the culprit. They can develop on your feet when your shoe rubs the same spot on your foot over and over, especially when your shoes don’t fit properly, or you don’t wear socks.
Calluses are hardened layers of skin that often develop on the bottom of your foot, around the forefoot, or heel. These layers of skin grow as a protective response to continual pressure and friction. Most often, these develop due to an uneven distribution of weight when walking or ill-fitting shoes.
One of the main differences between these is that blisters typically develop quickly, especially when wearing new shoes, while calluses develop slowly over time.
Blisters and calluses develop differently, but they do have a contributing factor in common, and that’s friction. Because of this, practicing these five things can help prevent both of them:
If you aren’t sure how to choose shoes that fit well, our team can offer recommendations and, if needed, provide custom orthotics to support optimal walking patterns and weight distribution.
Even if you follow all of these guidelines, you might still develop blisters and calluses.
A blister is your body’s way of covering your skin to protect it from infection. If the blister is small and not painful, it’s safer not to drain it. However, if the blister is large and painful, you may use a sterile needle to “pop” it, allowing your skin to reattach. Keep the wound site clean and covered with a bandage until the wound heals.
A callus isn’t usually painful, but it can be annoying. Never try to cut your skin or shave off the callus. Instead, after a bath or shower, gently exfoliate the area with a pumice stone to remove the skin buildup. For any pressure around the callus, our team can provide pads to put in your shoes or custom orthotics.
While these skin conditions heal, keep the area clean and dry. Check the blister or callus daily for signs of infection. If the wound is healing very slowly, our team needs to provide care. We use specialized medications and devices to reduce pressure on your foot while it heals.
For expert care for blisters, calluses, and other foot conditions, call your nearest office or use our online booking feature to schedule an appointment today.
