Diabetes and Calluses: Causes, Prevention Tips, and Treatment

How Diabetes Increases Your Risk of Calluses

There are a few reasons people with diabetes are more likely to develop calluses on their feet:

Nerve Damage

Over time, high blood sugar from diabetes can damage nerves in a condition called peripheral neuropathy. This causes decreased sensation in the feet, meaning you may not feel areas of too much friction or pressure that lead to calluses.

Poor Circulation

Diabetes also impairs blood flow to the extremities through peripheral vascular disease. With less circulation, skin is less nourished and more prone to thickening and callus buildup.

Foot Deformities

Nerve and circulation issues can also lead to foot deformities like bunions, hammertoes, and flat feet. These put abnormal pressure on certain areas of the feet, resulting in callus formation.

Dry Skin

Damaged nerves and poor circulation reduce moisture and natural oils in foot skin. This dryness and cracking creates openings for calluses to develop.

Being aware of how diabetes uniquely impacts foot health can help you be vigilant about prevention and care.

Common Locations for Diabetes-Related Calluses

Calluses on the feet tend to form in areas of repeated friction and pressure. For people with diabetes, common problem spots include:

Heels

The fatty pad on the heel can thin, causing increased pressure on this area leading to callus buildup.

Ball of the Foot

Too much pressure on the ball of the foot, often from high arches or improper footwear, can result in callus formation.

Toes

Deformed toes or friction from shoes puts pressure on toes, especially the tops and tips, causing calluses.

Edges of the Feet

The outer and inner edges of the feet take pressure during walking and can develop calluses.

Under Big Toe

Bunions shift pressure to the base of the big toe, resulting in a callus under the first metatarsal head.

Check these common trouble spots regularly to catch calluses early before they thicken.

Stages of Diabetes Foot Calluses

Diabetes calluses on feet often develop progressively in stages:

Stage 1: Thickened Skin

Mild inflammation causes irritated, reddened areas of skin to thicken in response to pressure.

Stage 2: Callus Formation

Thickened areas become compacted into yellowish, tough layers of callused skin.

Stage 3: Hyperkeratosis

Calluses grow thicker, sometimes cracking deep into painful fissures.

Stage 4: Ulceration

Untreated calluses may break open into foot ulcers, which can become infected.

Catching calluses early and properly caring for your feet can help reverse the condition before progression.

Signs of Diabetes-Related Calluses

Be on the lookout for these signs of callus formation:

• Yellow or grayish thickened skin
• Dry, flaky areas
• Hard lumps on the feet
• Cracked or peeling skin
• Reddish inflamed areas
• Pain or tenderness

See your doctor promptly if you notice any signs of abnormal callus development for proper treatment.

Risk Factors

Those especially at risk of diabetes-related foot calluses include:

• Poorly controlled blood sugar
• Longer duration of diabetes
• Kidney disease or dialysis treatment
• Foot deformities like bunions
• Poor circulation to the extremities
• Neuropathy affecting the feet
• History of foot ulcers

Be vigilant about prevention and routine foot checks if you have any of these risk factors.

Complications of Untreated Calluses

Left untreated, calluses on the feet can worsen over time and lead to serious complications:

Infections

Cracked calluses create an opening for bacteria to enter and cause infections.

Foot Ulcers

Excessive callus thickness can cause pressure wounds or ulcers on the feet.

Amputations

In severe cases, untreated infections may require partial or total amputation of the affected foot or leg.

Properly caring for calluses when they first develop reduces the likelihood of needing these more serious treatments.

Preventing Calluses with Proper Foot Care

Practicing good foot care and following your doctor's advice can help prevent calluses, including:

Control Blood Sugar

Consistently maintaining healthy blood sugar levels reduces nerve and circulation complications leading to calluses.

Moisturize Feet

Apply lotion daily to keep feet hydrated and skin supple.

Protect Feet

Wear shoes always, even indoors, to prevent injuries.

Wear Proper Footwear

Choose supportive, well-fitted shoes that limit pressure points and friction.

Inspect Feet

Check feet daily for any signs of callus formation or redness.

See a Podiatrist

Get specialized foot care to assess risk and proactively prevent callus formation.

Making foot health a priority goes a long way in avoiding development of debilitating calluses.

Home Treatment for Diabetes Foot Calluses

If you develop mild calluses on your feet, you can try these at-home treatments:

Soak in Warm Water

Soaking feet in warm water softens hard callused skin to gently rub away dead cells.

Use a Pumice Stone

Gently buff down thickened skin after soaking using a pumice stone.

Apply Petroleum Jelly

Massaging petroleum jelly into calluses helps soften and hydrate them.

Use Callus Remover Gel

Chemical callus removers with ingredients like alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) help dissolve thickened skin.

Wear Callus Pads and Cushions

Protect and redistribute pressure on callused areas using pads or cushions.

Consistency is key with home treatments to gently reduce callus thickness over time. Stop if you see any skin damage.

Medical Treatments for Diabetic Foot Calluses

See your doctor for these medical treatments for stubborn or worsening foot calluses:

Prescription Medications

Oral medications improve circulation or exfoliate skin. Topical medications help soften calluses.

Professional Debridement

Your provider can safely pare away thick callus layers using a scalpel.

Orthotics

Custom shoe inserts redistribute pressure to prevent callus recurrence.

Surgery

Surgical procedures like bunion removal treat underlying foot deformities causing calluses.

Trying home remedies for 2-3 weeks is reasonable before seeking medical care for lingering or severe calluses.

When to See Your Doctor

Visit your doctor right away if:

• Calluses do not improve with home treatment
• You develop ulcers, wounds, or discolored areas
• Signs of infection like drainage, foul odor, increased pain, fever
• Nerve damage in feet causing loss of feeling

Only try over-the-counter callus treatments for a couple weeks before following up. Severe or worsening calluses need professional evaluation.

Tips for Preventing Callus Recurrence

After treating calluses, use these preventive tips to stop them from quickly returning:

Wear Clean Socks and Well-Fitted Shoes

This limits friction that causes calluses. Change socks daily.

Use Prescribed Medicated Creams

Applying medicated urea or acid-based creams keeps thickening skin in check.

Get Podiatric Care

See a foot specialist regularly to assess any developing problems.

Check Feet Daily

Monitor feet closely and treat small issues before calluses form.

Control Blood Sugar

Consistently keeping blood glucose in range reduces risks.

With diligence and prompt care, people with diabetes can keep feet smooth and callus-free.

When to See a Podiatrist

Make an appointment with a podiatrist, a doctor specializing in foot care, for:

• Ongoing problems with calluses
• Poor circulation or nerve damage in the feet
• Foot deformities causing calluses
• Foot ulcers or infections
• Need for orthotics or special footwear

A podiatrist can provide specialized treatments and preventive care to keep your feet healthy.

Caring for Feet

Here are some tips for proactive foot care with diabetes:

• Inspect feet daily looking for any problems
• Wash feet daily but avoid soaking for long periods
• Use lotion on feet when done washing and drying them
• Be very gentle when filing calluses to avoid damaging skin
• Never try to cut calluses or corns on your own
• See your podiatrist regularly for checkups

Get in the habit of foot self-exams, moisturizing, and wearing appropriate footwear to prevent issues before they start.

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Calluses

Adjust your daily habits to keep feet healthy, like:

• Exercising to improve circulation
• Quitting smoking to optimize blood flow
• Stretching before physical activity
• Staying hydrated to avoid dry skin
• Wearing seamless socks to minimize friction
• Taking breaks to elevate feet when sitting for long periods

Small lifestyle tweaks go a long way in reducing risks for those prone to diabetes foot complications.

When to Seek Emergency Care

Seek emergency care for:

• Uncontrolled bleeding from feet
• Sudden inability to feel your feet
• Severe pain or swelling in feet
• Fevers related to foot infections
• Pus or foul-smelling drainage from foot wounds

Foot issues can rapidly escalate due to diabetes. Always get evaluated urgently for symptoms like these.

In Conclusion

People with diabetes are vulnerable to developing foot calluses due to high blood sugar damaging nerves and circulation. Pay close attention to your feet daily and see your doctor promptly for any callus concerns. With proper foot care and well-controlled blood glucose, your feet can stay smooth and healthy.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.