A callus is a thickened or hard skin that forms in response to frequent friction or pressure. It is often seen on the hands, feet, and elbows. This can happen from activities such as:
- Walking or running
- Gardening
- Playing a musical instrument
- Doing a job that involves using your hands a lot, such as carpentry
Calluses are not usually painful. But if they become too thick, they can make it difficult to do certain activities. People with diabetes or poor blood flow to their feet should check their feet for calluses regularly. This is because they may not be able to feel a callus if it becomes painful.
If the callus is mild, it can be treated by wearing protective. But if the condition is severe, medical treatment like callus hand removal procedure offer relief.
Some of the options for hand callus removal are as follows:
- Trimming the extra skin: The physician will use a scalpel to trim the extra skin around the callus. It helps in preventing pain to a great extent.
- Shoe inserts: The physician will suggest you to wear shoe inserts. They help in relieving the pain and also protect the foot from further injury.
- Callus removing medication: It involves the application of a 40% salicylic acid patch. Some of the other techniques your physician may recommend are nail file and pumice stone.
- Callus removal surgery: The physician may opt for a callus removal surgery in extreme cases.
Callus removal on hand is a simple outpatient procedure that can be performed in your doctor’s office. The area from where the callus is to be removers is numbed with a local anaesthetic. This will ensure that you are comfortable during the procedure.
Next, your doctor will make a small incision in the callus. They will then use a special tool to remove the thickened skin. Once the callus has been removed, your doctor will close the incision with stitches.