Treatment of a callus:

As explained in the website www.corns-and-calluses.co.uk, a callus is a thickened mass of dead skin, that is caused by pressure or rubbing over a part of the foot or toes. This pressure is created by a bony prominence on the inside of foot rubbing against something else on the outside of the foot - such as ill fitting footwear or another toe.

The layers of dead skin that make up the callus, are discoloured - usually a yellow in colour.  An expert podiatrist or chiropodist is able to remove this in very thin slices with a scalpel, ensuring that the callus is completely removed, without damaging the underlying healthy tissue.

Although this may sound painful, it is not - provided the healthy tissue is left completely alone.  Hence the need for an expert!

The reason the removal of calluses do not hurt the patient is that there are no nerve cells in the thickened, dead layers of skin that make up the callus.  Therefore, when these layers are carefully peeled away with a scalpel, it is really only cutting through dead protein - just like cutting nails or hair.

As the podiatrist or chiropodist is only removing dead tissue, there should be no bleeding whatsoever nor risk of infection.

Usually, only one treatment is needed. Patients are usually asked to return after 6 to 8 weeks to ensure that the area is healing healthily and that there are no signs of recurrence.  Occasionally, a callus can be extensive and might need more than one treatment episode.  In addition, if the underlying cause has not been adequately treated, there may be signs at the follow-up that the callus is coming back and so further treatment can be advised.