Staying on your feet despite corns, calluses and cracked heels
<p>Corns and calluses are skin that has toughened and thickened due to friction and pressure.</p>
<p>While corns maybe inflamed and occur on or between the toes, calluses typically grow in a large area on the balls of the feet or heels and don’t usually hurt.</p>
<p>Try these techniques to prevent common foot problems.</p>
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<p><strong>Wear supportive shoes</strong></p>
<p>Look for footwear that’s made of leather, is breathable and allows sweat to escape – the less you sweat, the less dried out your feet will become. Opt for shoes with ample width and toeroom.</p>
<p><strong>Practise good foot hygiene</strong></p>
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<p>This involves treating your feet to a bit of attention. Buff with a pumice stone and regularly moisturise.</p>
<p><strong>Over-the-counter remedies</strong></p>
<p>These are a good start in treating corns, cracked heels and calluses.</p>
<p><strong>Corns:</strong><span> </span>Salicylic acid treatments are available as medicated patches or liquid drops and work by softening the thickened layer of skin. Follow instructions carefully.</p>
<p><strong>Cracked heel:</strong><span> </span>As the skin on the soles of feet is about 2.5 times thicker than the skin on your face, use an intensive medicinal moisturiser that can penetrate the layers of tissue.</p>
<p><strong>Calluses:</strong><span> </span>Shoe inserts and heel pads, available at your pharmacy, will help prevent calluses by providing additional cushioning and stability.</p>
<p><strong>When to see a doctor or podiatrist</strong></p>
<p>Make an appointment if you have a callus or corn that is painful or inflamed, or deep cracks that start to bleed – these are all signs of infection.</p>
<p>This is vital if you have diabetes, poor circulation or impaired nerves in your feet.</p>
<p><em>Written by Michelle Villett. </em><em>This article first appeared in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/beauty/skin/staying-your-feet-despite-corns-calluses-and-cracked-heels" target="_blank">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA93V">here’s our best subscription offer</a>.</em></p>
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