What is a callus?

Calluses are ‘an especially toughened area of skin’. On the human body they occur primarily on the feet and to a lesser point on the hand. Calluses are one of the most common conditions seen in podiatry (Footcare) – they can account for up to 75% of a practioners’ workload.

There are two main causes for calluses, the primary is mechanically induced – for example, continual pressure on the same part of the foot causing a hardened layer to form, this could be caused by ill fitting or incorrect footwear – the secondary is non-mechanically induced, so caused by the medication a person is on, a dermatological disease or an extension of an infection.

It has been found that approximately 10% of the population suffers with callused feet – also known as hyperkeratosis or xerosis – with an increased number occurring in women and with ageing.